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Programs

Mini-Retreats
Sundays Sept 8, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 22, 2024

Online Mini-Retreats with Rachel Lewis

Online

Rachel is offering a series of online mini-retreats this Fall. Join us if you've got an established practice and want some structure around an extended practice period; if you're new to practice and want some introductory meditation instruction; or if you're thinking about going on a silent mindfulness meditation retreat and want to get a sense of what it would be like.

Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Short Retreat
Saturdays Oct 26, Nov 30, Dec 28, 2024

Day of Mindfulness with Rachel Lewis

Church of St Mary Magdalene, 2950 Laurel Street Vancouver, BC

Rachel is offering a series of in-person days of mindfulness. Each day of practice will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, dharma discussions, and opportunities for one-on-one discussions with the teacher. If you're used to meditating with an app and are interested in meditating in person with other people, or if you're considering signing up for a meditation retreat, this is a good place to start! We also welcome people who have an established meditation practice: instructions will be geared to the interests of the people attending.

Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Long Retreat
Sun Dec 29, 2024 - Fri Jan 3, 2025

New Year's Retreat with James Baraz and Rachel Lewis (FULL - join waitlist)

Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC

Registration opens: Aug 29, 2024

Financial assistance deadline: Aug 15, 2024

New Year's Retreat - Letting Go and Opening to Possibility
Coming on retreat at the end of the year is a beautiful opportunity to release a little of some of the difficulties and burdens we’ve been carrying these past months. As we practice mindfully sitting, walking, and resting with what is, with kindness, there’s a natural unfolding and releasing so that we can see more clearly. As we let go a little, we can find there’s more space, ease, and a sense of possibility in our lives.

James Baraz
James Baraz
Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Short Retreat
Sat Jan 4 - Sun Jan 5, 2025

January Online Retreat with Steve Armstrong, Kamala Masters, and Vance Pryor

Online

Registration opens: Oct 4 2024

Faith in Oneself in the Dharma

This non-residential weekend retreat will emphasize developing a deepening trust in oneself and the teachings of the Buddha. Through guided meditations, talks, along with question and response periods, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on the role of faith as a motivating force which leads us to what is most virtuous in a human life. The quality of faith is the vehicle which carries an individual to deepening levels of well-being, and ultimately, liberation from the forces of mind that cause stress. We hope that you will join us for this event.

Steve Armstrong
Steve Armstrong
Kamala Masters
Kamala Masters
Vance Pryor
Vance Pryor
Long Retreat
Sun Mar 2 - Sat Mar 8, 2025

Online City Retreat with Rachel Lewis and Christina Feldman

Online

Registration opens: Dec 2 2024

Financial assistance deadline: Nov 18 2024

This City Retreat has different participation expectations than a residential or online retreat. We invite you to simplify your schedule during the week so that you can participate in all of our live sessions. These sessions are scheduled so that people with day jobs can work as normal during the week, even while setting the intention to bring more mindfulness into their daily life.

Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Christina Feldman
Christina Feldman
Short Retreat
Fri Mar 28 - Sun Mar 30, 2025

Pascal Auclair

UBC Asian Centre, Vancouver BC

Registration opens: Dec 28 2024

Messy Minds, Winding Path, Joyful Hearts

With an open attitude, both playful and compassionate, we will journey over the weekend into the heart of our turbulent, confused minds. Our own benevolent presence will silently guide us, pointing out dangers and pathways. Pascal, through instructions and teachings, will also help us skillfully navigate the terrain of our lives. The adventure will bring us to the very gate of wisdom, where liberating perspectives await us.

Pascal Auclair
Pascal Auclair
Long Retreat
Sat Apr 26 - Sat May 3, 2025

James Lowe and Jeanne Corrigal

Sea to Sky Retreat Centre, Whistler, BC

Registration opens: Jan 2 2025

Financial assistance deadline: Dec 19 2024

The Brahma Viharas in the coastal mountains of BC

James Lowe
James Lowe
Jeanne Corrigal
Jeanne Corrigal
Long Retreat
Sun May 18 - Sun June 1, 2025

Experienced Student Retreat with Tempel Smith, Kristina Baré, and Tara Mulay

Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC

Registration opens: Jan 17 2025

Financial assistance deadline: Jan 3 2025

Two Wings of Awakening: Mettā and Insight Retreat *See event page for experience prerequisites.

Tempel Smith
Tempel Smith
Kristina Baré
Kristina Baré
Tara Mulay
Tara Mulay
Short Retreat
Fri Jun 6 - Sun Jun 8, 2025

Anushka Fernandopulle

UBC Asian Centre, Vancouver BC

Registration opens: Mar 6 2025

Save the date!

Anushka Fernandopulle
Anushka Fernandopulle
Long Retreat
Thurs Jun 12 - Mon Jun 16, 2025

LGBTQIA2S+ Retreat with Anushka Fernandopulle and Shelly Graf

Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC

Registration opens: Feb 12 2025

Financial assistance deadline: Jan 29 2025

Save the date!

Anushka Fernandopulle
Anushka Fernandopulle
Shelly Graf
Shelly Graf
Sitting Group

Victoria Insight Meditation Society - Sunday

In-Person, 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Helga Beer Yoga Studio 202-1600 Bay Street, Victoria

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays

VIMS Sunday night sits are an opportunity to practice meditation and listen to dharma talks with our community sangha. The sits are led by dharma teachers and dedicated peer leaders. Everyone is welcome.

Sitting Group

Quadra Island - Sunday

In-Person

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays

Email Don McEachern for details

Sitting Group

Duncan - Sunday and Monday

In-Person

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays and Mondays

We sit weekly in south Duncan. Sunday at 10 a.m. and Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Email Judith Green for details.

Sitting Group

North Shore - Monday

Online, 7:30-9:00pm

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Mondays

Sitting Group

Gen X / Millenial Group - Monday

Online, 7:00-8:30pm

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Mondays

Group is on break until 2024. Sign up to be notified when it resumes.

Jason Leslie
Jason Leslie
Sitting Group

Tuesday Evening w/ Karen Lawrie

In-Person, 7:30-9:00pm

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays

Email Karen Lawrie for details

Karen Lawrie
Karen Lawrie
FILTER PROGRAMS

WELCOME to BCIMS

Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

BCIMS is based in what is now known as Vancouver, BC. With heartfelt gratitude we acknowledge that we come to you from 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.  

 

BCIMS, as a settler-led organization, recognizes the ongoing benefits of the theft of this land and its resources to all settlers. BCIMS is committed to continuous learning about genocide, the history of colonization, and their ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities. May our practices today centre this reality as a call to action to support Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty and liberation more fully beyond the practice of this land acknowledgement, and move us towards non-harming, restitution, healing, and reconciliation.   

Asian Heritage Acknowledgement

We would like to name and honour the lineage of the ancient teachings offered by BCIMS, and we offer our deep gratitude to the rich lineage of Theravadan Buddhist teachers whose wisdom continues to support our practice. These teachings originated in Asia with the Buddha’s teachings, specifically in Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India. 

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