Join me (Jeff) for a meditation adventure on Cortes island, a gorgeous remote wilderness off the coast of British Columbia. Check out the photos below and here.
I’m so excited for this one! Finally a West Coast offering, with a smaller group, where getting there – small planes, shuttles, boats – is part of the adventure. I spent my Honeymoon on Cortes, so happy to be back there.
The other adventure, of course, is internal. These 4 days will be a journey through the core skills of meditation, and what they have to teach us about being human.
Expect a mix of guided, seated and movement meditation, nature practice, group sharing and discussion, we explore different simple techniques and share the insights that emerge from our own experience.
Also, there will be jokes. Some will fall asleep – and wake up refreshed!
My primary interest as a guide is helping people become their own teachers, both by customizing meditation to work for their own weird neurodiverse nervous systems, and by integrating meditation into the larger story of life-as-path.
Meditation is awesome – it teaches us about healing stuck emotions and expanding stuck views. It teaches us mercy and forgiveness, majesty and humility. It teaches us about how we relate to other people and to ourselves.
All this and more happens when we sit and do nothing. It’s mind-blowing. It makes me want to weep. Maybe you will weep too, or laugh uproariously, or pass out in a patch of drool. Who can say?
The goal is for everyone to leave this week with a clear understanding of why they meditate, and a clear feeling for their own strange and beautiful practice.
Being human takes practice, and meditation is the practice of being human.
It’s everything.
So come get some!
This retreat is appropriate for all experience levels.
This program is not intended as treatment for mental health conditions. If you are unsure as to whether this program is suitable for you, please contact our registration team for more information about the program.
Registration: click HERE
Program Highlights
- Understand the core skills of meditation and how they interact with each other
- Understand how to apply the skills of meditation to other practices and life activities
- Understand the overall terrain of practice through a lifetime, and what it means to see your own life as a spiritual path
- The role of service and giving back in all of this
Expected Activities
- Guided meditation
- Nature walks
- Some movement meditation
- Small group sharing (optional)
- Large group discussion
Daily Schedule
A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.
Testimonials
“I told my friends that Jeff’s teaching style was like a healing balm for all of us. That he has cultivated such warm and insightful listening skills, gentle guidance, and so much wisdom. No matter where the person sharing their thoughts with the group was coming from, he met them there, and helped them by offering validation and reflection. My impression was that we all felt cared for and respected. I also appreciate Jeff’s unique sense of humor and openness, because it helped release tension.”
“Time slowed down and space opened up. It stopped feeling really rushed. I could finally hold things inside myself that I had been needing to hold because I was supported – quietly, subtly – by the room. I could also choose to NOT hold things. Acknowledge they were there and turn away. I felt taken care of. I learned. I felt welcomed.”
“Profound and deeply moving. Pause to be present for the sweet softness of the soul.”
“Accessible, challenging, insightful and real. This retreat will remind you or show you that being human is imperfect and beautiful.”
“I nudged, with love, my thoughts out of an obstacle that became a doorway. I opened the door, and found an enormous field of love? I think? I’m just at the edge of it.”
“I was introduced to a world of meditation that invites me to explore my internal world without concern about form or dogma, and find what works and integrate it into my busy life in a practical and powerful way. What a tremendous relief to let go of the “rules” and enter as a child with wonder! Thank you!”
“Jeff’s knowledge and skills in meditation is remarkable. The “sitting” sessions mixed in with his explanations, insights and group sharing were so helpful. I tend to be anxious and perhaps a bit controlling! I’m learning to pan back, “get curious” about what’s going on and why, and breathe! It’s a work in progress, but I left this retreat feeling calm, very relaxed, inspired and so grateful for some tools to help me accept what’s here and just BE.”
“Jeff’s ability to offer deep insight while being humorous struck just the night tone for me. His thoughtful responses to everyone who spoke were generous and insightful. I just wish the retreat was longer.”
“Go to this! Jeff is simple, amazingly human, relatable and fun! Whichever you are – a new meditator or an old friend to meditation – his insights are so valuable. Thank you!”
“I deepened my practice, gained even greater appreciation for how much meditation enhances my life, enabling me to be more present for others and more able to pursue my calling. I am more able today to fully experience and embrace the gift of being human, and that every day is indeed a new beginning.”
“Jeff helped me reset by reminding me of key principles and practices for centering and simplifying, quieting my mind and approaching meditation and life with curiosity, acceptance and joy. The support he and the group provided was invaluable. The language, imagery and tips he used were wonderful. Thank you!”
“It was a fantastic program that was able to reach people of many different levels of meditation experience. Jeff Warren uses humour and his own experiences to de-mystify meditation in a way that makes it accessible to anyone!”