Programs

Vesak is the traditional Buddhist celebration of the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha. Let's gather in person to mark the occasion! Everyone is welcome.

We'll share the story of the Buddha's life, sit, chant, enjoy light refreshments and have time to meet and connect with meditation friends face to face. This year, we will have the opportunity to hear some of our sitting group leaders reflect on the power of community gathering. Bring Dharma books or meditation gear to swap and a snack to share!

The Brahma Viharas in the coastal mountains of BC

Join Karen Lawrie for a day of mindfulness. This offering runs once a month on Saturdays. Registration is $20.00 plus teacher dana. Please email Karen at karenlawrie77@gmail.com for more information and to register.

Let's meditate together! In these practice periods, there will be guided meditation periods of 30-45 minutes, instruction on walking meditation and continuity of mindfulness, and opportunities for dharma discussion. 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. The topic for each day will emerge from the questions that participants bring, or else from whatever is up for me.

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

This 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.

Buddha’s Teachings on Anatta: Exploring the Idea of "Self" with Wisdom and Love

This retreat welcomes meditators who identify as LGBTQIA2S+. The retreat will be held in noble silence from the first evening until the last day, including a requirement to turn off and put away all electronic devices.

Cultivating Love and Wisdom

Gather with us at the height of summer to take a deep dive into practice! An extended retreat like this one gives us an opportunity to pause and relax amidst the busyness of our lives, as well as to learn things we can’t learn any other way. We will be undertaking practices that strengthen the qualities of peace, love, and wisdom in our minds and hearts.

There will be practice instructions at the beginning of each day and the practice schedule will be made up of alternating periods of formal sitting and walking meditation. There will be practice discussion groups and time for questions and answers each day.

A First Timer Retreat

“I don’t know what happens on a retreat, but I kinda want to try it. I have so many questions and feel intimidated because I’m new.”

“I don’t think I can meditate for that long, especially with more experienced meditators.”

“I know someone who wants to try a retreat but is intimidated to start.”

If this is you, or you know anybody who says these things, then this retreat might be a good fit.

BCIMS is happy to offer a First Timer Retreat. This shorter residential retreat is a sample of a more extended retreat. It is designed for new - or newer - meditators to learn what a retreat is and how to live and practice in silence.

We’ll help you develop the stamina to meditate longer, and we’ll introduce and explain the etiquette and practices of meditation retreats. Best of all, you’ll be with new or newer meditators, so you can relax and enjoy the environment.

The Middle Way of Partnership - A Weekend Retreat on Conscious Relationships
This immersive weekend retreat offers a fresh approach to understanding and nurturing meaningful partnerships through the lens of Buddhist wisdom and contemporary psychology. Rather than pursuing idealized connections or accepting unnecessary struggles, attetndees will discover the "middle way"—embracing the inherent challenges of intimacy while cultivating deeper connection, presence, and joy.

Throughout the weekend, we'll weave together teachings, guided meditations, and interactive exercises that address four essential dimensions of partnership.

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Meeting Frequency: Daily
Join Rachel directly via the Zoom link below.

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Mondays
Email Patti Wall for details.

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

We sit Tuesday from 6:30 - 8 p.m. and Wednesday from noon - 2 p.m.
Our group also also does periodic residential retreats.
Email Judith Green for details.

Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays

Email Karen Lawrie for details