3 Day Silent Retreat (Vipassana) at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre

About the Practice

This Vipassana retreat focuses on ancient meditation techniques that cultivate self-awareness through mindful observation of the breath and bodily sensations. Silence and mindfulness help calm the mind, balance emotions, and deepen spiritual understanding.

Throughout the retreat, participants will also experience Tibetan singing bowl sound sessions — powerful vibrational practices that support relaxation, grounding, and energetic balance. The resonant tones of the bowls help quiet the mental chatter and guide the mind into deep meditative stillness.

Retreat Details

Location: Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, Cochrane, Alberta - a peaceful sanctuary nestled among rolling hills and forest trails.
Dates: December 17–20, 2026 (Thursday–Sunday)

This serene space offers simplicity and silence, ideal for turning inward and rediscovering clarity and balance.

Daily Schedule

Thursday

• Arrival & Welcome (between 5-6 PM) — participants check in, settle into their rooms, and get oriented.
• Introduction to Vipassana practice — overview of techniques, guidelines, and retreat expectations.
• Evening chanting and meditation to establish presence and community energy.

Friday – Saturday

• Morning: Wake-up, Tibetan prostrations, and seated meditation. Morning Hatha yoga to awaken the body and prepare for deeper stillness.
• Midday: Vegetarian breakfast followed by a mindful nature walk and reflective silence.
• Afternoon: Yoga and pranayama session to harmonize body and breath. Tibetan singing bowl meditation to release tension, settle energy, and prepare for silence. Free time for journaling or personal meditation.
• Evening: Dinner, followed by guided meditation and mantra chanting (Om), concluding with deep relaxation (Shavasana).

Sunday

• Morning meditation and gentle yoga.
• Breakfast and group reflection — opportunity to share experiences and insights in a supportive atmosphere.
• Check out from rooms by 9 AM and departure from the facility at 12:00 PM.

Meals

• A fully vegetarian menu is provided by the retreat centre.
• Meals included:

- Supper on Thursday

- Breakfast, lunch, and supper on Friday & Saturday

- Breakfast on Sunday

• Light snacks are available throughout the day.

Accommodation & Pricing

All rooms are simple and peaceful — single occupancy with a bed, sink, linens, and shared bathroom facilities.

Retreat Fee: $750/person
Includes accommodations, facilities, and all meals (vegetarian).

Early Bird Discounts

• Book until 31 October → Early Bird Price.
• November bookings → $850.
• December bookings → $950.
  

What’s Included in the Price

• 3 nights accommodation (private single room)
• Full vegetarian meal plan (meals + snacks)
• Daily yoga, meditation, and pranayama sessions
• Tibetan singing bowl meditations & sound healing

Refund Policy

1. Cancellations made 1 month (30 days) or more before the retreat start date are eligible for a refund of the deposit, minus any non-refundable Eventbrite processing fees.
2. Requests to transfer a registration to a future retreat must also be made at least 1 month (30 days) before the retreat start date. Deposits may be transferred to another retreat within 12 months, subject to availability.
3. Less than 1 month (30 days) before the retreat start date, deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
4. Registrations may be transferred to another participant with prior approval from the organizers.
5. If the retreat is cancelled by the organizers, all payments received, including deposits, will be fully refunded.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us plan and prepare the retreat experience for all participants.

Reserve Your Spot

Spaces are limited, and early registration helps ensure your place in this peaceful retreat.

Reserve your spot by sending your deposit in advance.

More details on our website https://vipassana.ca/events/mount-st-francis-retreat-centre-weekend-retreat/