At Peace in the World - In Person Weekend Retreat with Howie Cohn [Feb20ac]

UPDATE October 20: Please note that we are no longer offering this retreat as a Hybrid. This retreat will be IN PERSON ONLY, at the UBC Asian Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Our next Hybrid Retreat is the March 27-29 Weekend Retreat with Pascal Auclair (UBC Asian Centre and on Zoom)! Please visit our website for more information.

Thank you all!

RETREAT DESCRIPTION

At Peace in the World

The world is not presently peaceful and harmonious, given war, polarization, greed, and cruelty. We are often heartbroken or angry. Though we don’t have a peaceful world, each of us can be at peace in the world. Inner peace does not depend on circumstances but the way we relate to them. On this retreat we will practice the two most important ways to meet our life peacefully; wisdom and love. Using the time tested practices of Vipassana and Metta (loving kindness) Meditation, together we will strengthen our minds and soften our hearts so that we can peacefully navigate this wondrous world.

Suitable for new and experienced meditators.

The general schedule (all times are Pacific Time):

Friday, February 20: 7:15–9:00 PM
Saturday, February 21: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sunday, February 22: 9:00 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 jess@bcims.org

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 here 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:

Supported Ticket $90 CAD: The supported rate covers about 65% 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 $140 CAD: The sustaining rate represents the actual cost to BCIMS to operate our programs.

Generosity Ticket $190 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 Canada Helps 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.

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.

Financial Assistance: No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you require additional financial assistance to attend this retreat please contact jess@bcims.org.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: You may request a refund up to 24 hours before the start of retreat. Please note there is a $25 non-refundable registration fee. 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 UBC website 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 click here to view the information and reminders.

DANA

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

Other options for offering dana:

• PayPal donations are also welcome at hcohn1@aol.com. If the option is available, pleasemake the donations to “Friends and Family”.
• Interac transfers may be sent to hcohn1@aol.com

TEACHER BIO

Howard Cohn is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in the San Francisco Bay area. He has guided Mission Dharma Meditation Community in San Francisco, and has been in private practice as a counselor/mentor and led Vipassana retreats worldwide since 1985. He incorporates the influences of Theravada, Zen, Tibetan Dzogchen, and Advaita Vedanta in his teaching, with an emphasis on reawakening our natural peace and freedom. He is the author of Invitation to Meditation.

For more information about Howard and his practice: Howard Cohn Profile.

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 - 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

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

**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.