Insight Meditation Retreat with Anushka Fernandopulle [Sep25ac]

A Weekend Silent Insight Meditation Retreat on Finding True Happiness with Anushka Fernandopulle, Fri Sep 25 - Sun Sep 27, 2026
About this Event

RETREAT DESCRIPTION - Finding True Happiness: Liberation, Wholeheartedness, and Presence

The Buddhist path of development promises benefits at every step of the way. We can experience the satisfaction that comes from heartfulness (sati) and presence that allows us know sense pleasures more fully. We can develop wholeheartedness and nondistractedness (samadhi) that can provide happiness beyond all sense pleasures. And finally, we can experience liberation from all afflictions through Nibbana. Join us to explore each of these. We will be practicing meditation in stillness, movement, while eating, walking, sitting, and standing. There will be Dharma instruction, guided meditation and time for questions.

New and experienced meditators are welcome!

The general schedule (all times are Pacific Time):

Friday, September 25: 7:15–8:45 PM
Saturday, September 26: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Sunday, September 27: 9:30 AM–3:30 PM

GENERAL INFORMATION

Registration: Please register for your ticket on Eventbrite before the start of the event. There will be no registration onsite at the door. If you are unable to register online or have any questions, please contact [email protected]

In-Person Health and Safety: This retreat is planned to have a limited number of attendees. All health guidelines in place at the time of the retreat for group gatherings will be followed and communicated to attendees. Click for BCIMS' COVID Safety webpage. We encourage attendees to be fully vaccinated including booster vaccinations. Please do not attend if you have any symptoms of a fever, cough or a cold, or have had recent contact with anyone with COVID.

A mask optional event: This is a mask optional gathering. We will have masks on site for those who prefer to remain masked. We may change our masking policy should community health conditions shift. We shall communicate any changes on this page and with registrants directly.

Fees: A sliding scale of fees is offered. Please choose the highest rate you can comfortably offer:

Supported Ticket $75 CAD: The supported rate covers about 60% of what is needed for retreat costs and to run our organization. To balance our budget and wisely manage our resources, donations must supplement registration income.
Sustaining Ticket $125 CAD: The sustaining rate represents the actual cost to BCIMS to operate our programs.
Generosity Ticket $175 CAD: The generosity rate covers the cost of the program and also provides funds to subsidize the reduced fees paid by others who have more challenging financial circumstances. Tax Receipts: Please note that we are unable to offer tax receipts for folks who purchase the Generosity Ticket. If you are interested in receiving a tax receipt, we recommend you purchase a Sustaining Ticket and offer a donation of any amount to BCIMS via our page.
Friday Night Only Ticket $40 CAD: We offer a small number of tickets for folks only able to join for the Friday evening portion.
Financial Assistance: No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you require additional financial assistance to attend this retreat please contact [email protected].

Please note that your registration fee goes toward retreat costs and BC Insight Meditation Society organizational expenses which allow us to continue offering retreats such as this one. Financial support for the teacher is offered separately.

Teacher Dana: In the Buddhist tradition, teachings are given freely because they are considered priceless; in the Buddhist tradition we also practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings to the teachers. Dana is not payment for goods or services rendered; it is given from the heart. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teachers, but also the Sangha, the larger Dharma community, and your own practice. More info on Dana is shared below.

Refund/Ticket Transfer Policy: You may request a full refund up to 24 hours before the start of retreat. To cancel your ticket, log on to Eventbrite with your email address. Go to your tickets for this event and click on "Request a Refund". Cancellations within 24 hours of the start of retreat will not receive a refund.

Ridesharing: The information collected during registration regarding ridesharing will be shared by email to all interested attendees 7 days prior to the retreat. Attendees are then responsible for connecting directly with each other to make any ridesharing arrangements.

Accessibility: Please visit this outlining accessibility to the Asian Library, located in the Asian Centre.

Before you go: Information about preparing for the retreat, including what to bring, and safety reminders, are sent to attendees a few days before the start of the retreat. You may also to view the information and reminders.

DANA

In-person offering: Envelopes labelled "Dana" will be available at the retreat for you to offer cash. Anushka is requesting cash donations in US dollars. Canadian cash will not be accepted. Please consider offering dana by online options to Anushka.

Other options for offering dana: Dana may be offered to Anushka by e-transfer and Paypal. More info will be shared with registrants on retreat.

TEACHER BIO

Anushka Fernandopulle has trained for over 35 years in the Theravada Buddhist tradition in the U.S., India and Sri Lanka and teaches retreats and workshops around the globe. Her teaching is informed by nature, creative arts, political engagement and modern urban life. Anushka is a Core Teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California and lives in San Francisco. She has also worked a leadership coach and organizational consultant influenced by a BA in anthropology/religion from Harvard and an MBA from Yale. For more info see www.anushkaf.org

DETAILED SCHEDULE

Like all phenomena, the schedule is subject to change. All times listed are Pacific Standard.

Friday

6:30 - 7:15 PM Check in

7:15 – 8:45 PM Sit and Dharma Talk

8:45 PM Session Ends

Saturday

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Combination of sitting, walking, Dharma talk, Q/A

12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch*

1:30 – 4:30 PM Combination of sitting, walking, Dharma Talk, Q/A

Sunday

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Combination of sitting, walking, Dharma talk, Q/A

12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 – 3:20 PM Combination of sitting, walking, Dharma Talk, Q/A

3:20 - 3:30 PM BCIMS Closing Announcements

3:30 PM Post Retreat Gathering in Foyer (Optional)

*Optional Lunch Gathering for folks newer to meditation: a BCIMS representative will be holding space in an informal setting on Saturday during the lunch hour for new meditators to share check-ins, questions, and connect with one another. We invite experienced yogis not joining this lunch space to support us in maintaining noble silence through your lunch hour. We will offer more information at the retreat during the Morning Welcome.

**Post-Retreat Gathering in the Asian Centre Foyer: Please join us immediately following the retreat in the Foyer from 3:30pm-4:30pm for treats and to come out of noble silence in conversation with fellow retreatants. This will be an opportunity to connect with Dharma friends old and new - we would love to see you there!

With heartfelt gratitude, BCIMS acknowledges we are based in what is now known as Vancouver, BC, the beautiful, traditional, and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, who live on and have stewarded this land for thousands of years.