Insight Meditation Retreat with Pascal Auclair - IN PERSON [Mar27achybrid]

To help honour the container of our in-person gathering, we ask you to please commit to attending in-person for the entirety of the retreat if possible. If you are only able to attend a part of the retreat, we encourage you to consider an .

What happens when we meet life with curiosity rather than effort, and presence rather than resistance? This silent weekend insight retreat offers an opportunity to explore the art of seeing clearly, resting lightly and walking the path with ease.

Through the practice of vipassana, we will cultivate the capacity to feel experience with openness and respond with kindness. This retreat invites you to pause, reflect, and reconnect —not by adding more, but by discovering how wisdom and freedom can appear in the simplest of moments.

Open to all, this non-residential weekend provides a space to let go of distractions, soften into awareness, and experience the natural clarity and lightness of being. Join us for a journey of gentle awakening and the art of treading lightly on the earth.

New and experienced meditators are welcome!

The general schedule (all times are Pacific Time):

Friday, March 27: 7:15–9:00 PM
Saturday, March 28: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sunday, March 29: 9:00 AM–3:30 PM

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 COVID-19 Safety Measures: 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. We will not be asking for proof of vaccination during sign in. 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:

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.

Cancellation/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. Transfers: If you have purchased an Online Ticket and wish to transfer to an In-Person ticket, we invite you to please cancel your Online Ticket with at least 24 hours notice to receive a refund, and re-register with an . If you request a transfer within 24 hours of the retreat start, the cancellation policy will apply.

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.

In-person offering: Envelopes labelled "Dana" will be available at the retreat for you to offer cash Dana to Pascal.

Other options for offering dana: Dana may be offered to Pascal via a mailed cheque, by e-transfer, or Paypal. More info will be shared with registrants on retreat.

Pascal Auclair has been immersed in Buddhist practice and study since 1997, sitting retreats in Asia and America with revered monastics and lay teachers. He has been mentored by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Massachusetts and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California, where he has been enjoying teaching retreats since 2007. Pascal teaches in North America and in Europe.

He is a co-founder of True North Insight and one of TNI’s Guiding Teachers. His depth of insight, classical training, and creative expression all combine in a wise and compassionate presence. In addition, his warmth and humour make Pascal a much-appreciated teacher.

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 - 9:00 PM Sit and Dharma Talk

9:00 PM Evening Session Ends

Saturday

9:00 - 9:45 AM Instruction and sitting meditation (latecomers: please walk)

9:45 - 10:30 Instruction and walking meditation

10:30 - 11:15 Sitting meditation

11:15 - 12:00 Walking meditation, or practice discussion at the front of the hall for new meditators

12:00 PM - 12:30 Sitting

*12:30 - 1:30 Lunch (Optional lunch gathering for newcomers, see below)

1:30 - 2:00 Sitting

2:00 - 2:15 Dana Talk

2:15 to 2:30 Questions and Response

2:30 - 2:45 Walking meditation

2:45 - 3:30 Dharma talk

3:30 - 4:15 Walking meditation, or practice discussion at the front of the hall for retreatants A through G

4:15 - 5:00 Sitting

Sunday

9:00 AM - 9:45 Instruction and sitting meditation (latecomers: please walk)

9:45 - 10:30 Walking meditation, or practice discussion at the front of the hall for meditators H through O

10:30 - 11:15 Sitting meditation

11:15 - 12:00 PM Walking meditation or practice discussion at the front of the hall for meditators P through Z

12:00- 12:30 Sitting

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch

1:30 - 2:00 Sitting

2:00 - 2:30 Walking meditation

2:30 - 3:20 Dharma talk / Questions and Response

3:20 - 3:25 Teacher Closing / Dedication of Merit

3:25 - 3:30 Closing Announcements

**3:30 – 4:30pm OPTIONAL Post-Retreat Gathering in the foyer

*Optional Lunch Gathering for folks newer to meditation: one of BCIMS' Guiding Teachers will be holding space in an informal setting on Saturday during lunch. This is an opportunity for retreatants to check-in, ask questions, and share in community.

**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!

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