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Retreat Description
Indigenous Insight
The Four Elements: Indigenous and Buddhist Wisdom Connection
This very special hybrid daylong will bring together 5 friends who are Indigenous teachers, healers, and Insight Meditation teachers, from Canada and North America. They will weave Indigenous and Buddhist ways of knowing, exploring connections in the teachings of mindfulness, kindness, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Both traditions are anchored in a meaningful relationship with nature, ancestors, and healing silence. Gentle reflective practices will honour interconnection, and turn to our innate wisdom and capacity for peace.
This retreat is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from around the world.
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Retreat Details
When: Saturday, February 27, 2027
11 AM-5 PM CST/SK/AB
noon-6 PM EST
10 AM-4 PM BC
9 AM-3 PM PST
click for other time zones
To support your practice and that of the other practitioners, it is important to arrive on time and commit to the whole day. It is best if you can arrive at least 15 minutes early to give yourself time to register and settle in.
Where: Saskatoon Unitarian Centre (213 2nd Street East, Saskatoon, upstairs sanctuary)
and online - Zoom link will be provided after you register
Cost: This retreat is offered through mutual generosity. When you register, there will be an opportunity to pay a registration fee to help SIMC and TNI cover our rental and administration costs. During the retreat, we will provide information for those who are able to offer financial support to our teachers.
Teacher dana/donation: The registration fee does not include teacher support - there will be an opportunity to offer dana to our teachers. Click here to read more about the practice of dana on the SIMC website.
Noble silence:
The retreat will be held in noble silence except for discussions with the teacher.
You are encouraged to take care of all errands and personal matters before Saturday so that you can create a quiet mind which will support your retreat.
To support the retreat experience for you and other participants, cell phones should be turned off or left at home.
Recordings:
Portions of this retreat may be offered as a recording. In order to support a sacred, live opportunity for all present, we will make the decision of what is appropriate to share after the retreat is complete.
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In case we need to reach you quickly.
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How would you like to participate? *
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Please check if we may add you to our email list for upcoming events (retreats, programs, classes).
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Indigenous Affiliation
It would assist the teachers in planning to know if there are Indigenous folks in the retreat.
If you are Indigenous and would like to let the teachers know, please share your information here. This information will only be shared with the teachers for this daylong.
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Scent and Fragrance Free
In an effort to be inclusive and practice compassion, we request that all participants refrain from wearing scented or fragranced products, including essential oils. We respectfully ask that you wear clothing that has been washed and dried with products free of fragrance, and that you avoid using essential oils and/or scented hairspray, shampoos, soaps, deodorants or after-shaves. Our past experience has been that some participants who are highly sensitive to fragrances have had to leave the retreat because other participants have used fragranced products. We therefore truly appreciate the kindness, understanding, and respect that non-use of these items shows toward our fellow-participants.
An increasing number of people have allergies, asthma, or other chemical sensitivity to a variety of common chemicals and fragrances. These individuals often find themselves faced with the choice to stay in a fragrance-rich environment and get sick, or leave and be excluded.
For more information about fragrance free, please see this page from Spirit Rock:
https://www.spiritrock.org/articles/fragrance-free
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What to bring
Straight backed chairs will be available. All other sitting materials must be brought with you. You will likely want to bring a cushion and mat, or blanket, especially if you plan to sit on the floor. Warm, comfortable, loose fitting clothing is best for indoor wear and a blanket or shawl, for extra warmth, as well as outdoor clothing that is appropriate for the weather.
There will be a mid-afternoon snack break, so you are welcome to bring something to eat. There is a fridge and microwave on-site. We will have hot water and tea; bring a mug.
Please bring a mat for lying down meditation.
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Creating a retreat container
adapted from IMS Online
Preparing For Your Retreat
If possible, establish a dedicated space for your retreat, such as a specific room in your home, or a particular area of your living space. Your place of retreat should be relatively quiet and free from distractions.
Ensure that you have reliable internet access in your retreat space so that you can access Zoom during the sessions.
Identify a convenient area that is suitable for walking meditation. This may be a walkway within your retreat space, a hallway outside your retreat room, or even an outdoor location. If you choose an outdoor location, it is preferable to avoid street crossings and areas of heavy vehicular or foot traffic.
You may want to have water or something to drink, a blanket or shawl, and something to eat for a lunch/snack break.
During Your Retreat
Refrain from using other electronics or interacting with other media and content for the duration of your retreat.
Please plan on attending all sessions and sticking to the practice schedule.
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Administration fee
The administration fee for this daylong is offered on a sliding scale, with a recommendation of $40, which helps cover the facility rental and other costs that the Saskatoon Insight Meditation Community incurs. We understand that finances can sometimes be a barrier. Please know that everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay. You are warmly invited to offer what feels appropriate and sustainable for you.
$50 - benefactor rate
$40 - suggested rate
$25 - supported rate
In the spirit of generosity, you will have the opportunity to provide dana to the teacher during or after the session.
Please offer what you can afford. Your generosity above the suggested rate will allow those who are less able to contribute to be able to attend. We welcome all to practice, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
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Enter administration fee amount: *
$
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This is an administrative fee to support SIMC. There will be an opportunity to offer dana for the teacher during the retreat.
Enter 0 if you are unable to offer support at this time.
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How will you pay? *
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Payment by cheque info
Please send a cheque from Canadian banks payable to Saskatoon Insight Meditation Community to
SIMC
c/o Andrea Grzesina
906 5th Ave N
Saskatoon, SK S7K 2S1
In the memo field of the cheque, please include your name and "Feb 2027 daylong" - this will ensure we can match your payment with your registration.
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Payment by e-transfer info
Payment by e-transfer from Canadian banks can be sent to treasurer@saskatooninsight.com.
In the message section of the e-transfer, please include your name and "Feb 2027 daylong" - this will ensure we can match your payment with your registration.
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Payment by credit card info
We will provide a separate link to submit payment by credit card.
Our credit card processing service, charges us approximately 3%, and we request you add an amount to cover this fee.
Suggested amounts:
for $50, use $1.75
for $40, use $1.50
for $25, use $1.00
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Add amount for credit card fee.
$
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No payment required.
Thank you for registering. We look forward to practicing with you.
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Your background
Please let us know your background to help the teacher and organizers understand who will be attending this retreat.
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Tell us about your retreat experience. (Check all that apply) *
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How did you learn about this event? (Check all that apply)
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The Practice of Dana
In keeping with the tradition of our practice, this retreat is offered through mutual generosity.
In the spirit of generosity, you will have the opportunity to provide dana to the teacher during or after the session.
For more information about this practice, please see the dana page on the SIMC website.
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Volunteer opportunities
This retreat is organized and run by volunteers. We can use your help! Let us know if you'd be willing to assist with any of the following tasks.
Select one or more - and we'll be in touch closer to the event to confirm how the tasks will be distributed.
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Helpers needed for:
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Ride Share
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To contact SIMC
Please email contact@saskatooninsight.com
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After you have a successful registration, you will see a window that says Success! and then receive a confirmation email.
Your registration is not complete until you reach the "Success" page. If you do not get a confirmation email, first check your junk email folder. If you still can't find the confirmation email, please contact us at contact@saskatooninsight.com or text/call Andrea G at 306-202-6608.
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Total
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