Retreats at the Samadhi Center

Deep meditation and Self Inquiry Retreats

About the Samadhi Center


The Samadhi Center, located about half way between Toronto and Ottawa, is a space dedicated to the direct knowing of your true nature. The Center has been a place for people to practice meditation and engage in deep self inquiry since 2017, and meditation retreats have been happening on the property since 2009. The Center is located in a beautiful pine forest setting near near Bancroft, Ontario.


Our retreats are for those truly interested in becoming free of their conditioning and the pathological thinking that we have inherited from the past.
Come to the Samadhi Center to “die before you die”.


The Samadhi Center is open to everyone regardless of experience, background and religion. At the Samadhi Center we teach both meditation and self inquiry, or you could say the long path (traditional meditation and clearing of sankaras or energy patterns) and the short path (realization of the ever-present awareness). Practicing meditation alone may reduce suffering in one’s life, but may never lead to realization of the immanent self (Atman or soul) beyond name and form. And self inquiry on it’s own may bring a recognition of one’s true self, but if the habit patterns of the mind have not been cleaned and purified, then one usually loses the experience and falls back into conditioned behaviors. Practising both simultaneously is a way to clean and purify the human vessel to house the awakened self permanently. The Samadhi that comes and goes is not the true Samadhi. For more detailed understanding of our approach, check out the article “Awakening and Enlightenment: Always Being Buddha, Always Becoming Buddha”

Samadhi is an ancient Sanskrit word for which there is no modern equivalent. It was chosen as the name for this center because it honors the spirit of the traditions which have helped connect people to their true nature for thousands of years. To realize Samadhi is to learn to die before you die. Within different traditions the word Samadhi has many different meanings, which can lead to much confusion. Rather than trying to define it, we guide participants towards a direct realization of it. It is not something to be understood with the mind, because it is ultimately a cessation of identification with the limited mind, and eventually a relaxing of the egoic mind’s control over one’s life. However it is extremely beneficial to study and shape the mind into a tool that will support Samadhi, as opposed to hindering it. To the limited mind Samadhi must must remain a mystery, while prajna or wisdom is the realization of our true nature. Samadhi is realized directly through pure forms of deep meditation, prayer and self-inquiry, as well as working with and merging with the inner world and inner energy. It flowers into its full expression as the wisdom attained in meditation is integrated into every day life, and as levels of self are realized, purified, and come into alignment with the immanent Self. 

Meditation Retreats

A meditation retreat is an opportunity to move out of the endless patterns of doing to experience simply being; to become a true human-being as opposed to a human-doing. It is not an escape from your life, nor is it a holiday or time for relaxation, but rather it can be likened to doing deep surgery on one’s entire being. Intensive meditation helps one to become free from the conditioned patterns that cause suffering. Rather than an escape from life, it is actually the way to engage more fully with life, to cultivate greater equanimity and presence in every facet of one’s existence. It is now becoming well-known that practicing meditation provides many benefits such as improved heath, stress reduction, improved productivity, improved mental focus, emotional stability and improvements in overall well-being. These are all valuable benefits to one’s life, yet the true gift of meditation is to realize Samadhi, which is immeasurably greater than anything that could be conveyed in mere words. Samadhi is the 8th and final part of the Buddha’s noble eightfold path, and the 8th limb of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga, and is described as a “union” or collapse of duality which is unfathomable to the dualistic mind.

Rather than following one particular tradition, we borrow from many traditions freely. It is our understanding that there is one perennial truth or transcendent reality which is reflected in the many world spiritual traditions, and it is our intention to convey our unique expression of it using all available means. Those who are familiar with Vipassana retreats or the Zen Sesshin format will find a similar level of structure and opportunity for deep meditation practice. In our retreats we incorporate (but are not limited to) facets of the Zen sesshin, elements from the Vipassana traditions, as well as Christian mysticism, the yogic traditions, Vedanta, Samkhya, and non-dualism and others. All traditions and teachings are merely pointers to the unfathomable inner source which is beyond the limited egoic mind. The facilitators, provide instructions and teachings as needed throughout the retreats, as well as private consultation. .

The Zen term “sesshin” means something like “gathering the heart-mind”, and this phrase reflects the essence of our meditation retreats. The sesshin is a period of intensive practice, during which all efforts and energies are focused or “gathered” for the purpose of awakening out of one’s conditioned or unconscious patterns and recognizing a new level of consciousness; a consciousness in which the egoic mind becomes a servant to the heart. Likewise, Vipassana, one of the world’s oldest meditation techniques taught 2500 years ago by the Buddha, is a process of deep self inquiry and purification. In the same way the 8 limbs of yoga are aimed at purifying oneself through deep concentration and surrender in order to reach Samadhi. Regardless of which teachings one is familiar with, it is our intention to allow participants to explore the experiential truth that comes through single-pointed concentration and inner non-resistance. Through meditation practice we are able to observe and purify the self structure, which is the cause of all suffering, and to awaken the spiritual heart which is beyond name and form. The spiritual heart has gone by many names throughout history and is also known as the true self, the selfless self, Atman (soul), Anatta or “no self”, Buddha nature, and Christ Consciousness.


Meditation Techniques


At the Samadhi Center our team of experienced meditators offer and explore many effective techniques to assist you on your inner journey. As one moves toward inner stillness, one lets go of any technique or anything that is held in the mind. We simply allow reality to be as it is, which means a surrender, inner letting go and eventual cessation of the egoic mind structures, including techniques. At the beginning one uses techniques to cultivate the capacity for unwavering concentration on the meditation object. Like two wings of a bird the two aspects of duality, Shakti and Shiva, surrender and presence, yin and yang, carry one to Samadhi. Check out the core guided meditations here.


SELF INQUIRY


The self inquiry practice at the Samadhi Center has evolved over many years. It is in many ways similar to the Charles Berner technique, which combines the ancient self inquiry, ‘Who Am I,’ with a Western psychology technique developed by Ava Berner called the relating dyad. Working in partners, one person witnesses while the other engages in the inner investigation of who they are. The result is a quickening of the awakening of the primordial self or one’s true nature. Rather than spending years at a monastery, it is possible for some people to realize their true nature within a few days. After decades of refinement of this technique it has been observed that typically 20-30% of people at a self inquiry intensive will experience kensho or samadhi.

DYADS

Based on the self inquiry of Ramana Maharshi, insights from the Zen tradition, the Charles Berner self inquiry method as well as the dyad techniques used in modern psychology, this self inquiry creates conditions of no escape for the ego structure. Working continuously from early morning to late at night, participants alternate roles in dyads (groups of two), where one person is a witness and the other engages in deep inner investigation to realize their true nature.

BREATH WORK


At our longer retreats retreat there is a breath work component. The system used is called “Elemental Breathing”, which is designed to facilitate a deep letting go and healing of past experiences. It is facilitated by John Cross who is trained in this system.



Other Tools and Modalities


Each day there is “group process” where participants check in with the facilitators, share experiences and ask questions. Techniques are offered to help participants move beyond the hindrances that come up in meditation, and it is generally a time to share what we have learned on the path of awakening.


YAZA

Yaza is a Zen/Japanese Buddhist term which means “extra” meditation, and has also taken on the meaning of “night meditation”. At our retreats we offer participants the opportunity to meditate through the night. While yaza is optional, sitting at night can allow for a profound deepening of meditative states, and the possibility for exploration of the immaterial jhanas.

SILENCE

Participants will have the opportunity to stay connected to their inner energy and oriented inward towards awareness itself by maintaining silence throughout the retreat. Although there is no talking, gesturing or writing between participants, the silence is held in a way that can foster a deep connection to each other; a compassionate contribution to the group’s practice. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion during the daily group process, and in working with the facilitators. At times it may be necessary to communicate verbally in order to complete certain work, in which case speaking is allowed for that purpose only. We want to avoid chatting and activation of the mind so that we can come to a place of inner peace and stillness. “Be still and know.

SOUND MEDITATION

The ancient spiritual teachers taught “nada Brahma”; the universe is vibration (emptiness dancing).

Sound has been used for healing and transformation for thousands of years in cultures around the world. Everything in the universe is vibrating in a cosmic symphony. At the Samadhi Center a variety of instruments may be used during sound meditations. In particular we feel that the gong is a special instrument that can be used as powerful meditation tool. We have 6 Paiste gongs, including an incredible custom 55″ gong which produces a unique sound experience. During sound meditation people can be sitting, lying down, or moving in response to the vibration. We encourage people to experience the transcendent effects of the gongs through their inner energy rather than through the mind, to realize aspects of the inner world which may otherwise be hidden.

Each day there is a sound journey using gongs, singing bowls and other instruments to connect you deeply to the inner worlds and to help move stuck energies. In addition the group will do a type of free vocalizing or sounding that allows the voice to be expressed unmediated by the conditioned mind. This process helps one to get themselves out of the way and to find their authentic voice.

Pamela Jeppesen
Pamela Jeppesen
2023-10-11
The three day intensive was life changing for me. Amazing, caring, knowledgeable facilitators. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the nature of Self.
Matthew Puntigam
Matthew Puntigam
2023-09-20
An experience that will be remembered forever... words can't truly express how grateful I am.
Janine Janaki
Janine Janaki
2023-09-19
One week after the 9-day "I Am Retreat," I still feel "born again!" I feel the reset of my digestive and nervous systems. I sleep through the night and hot flashes have disappeared. I am aware of triggers, but there is much more space for response, and the depth of communication with my mate and others continues to expand. There is ease in allowing things to be as they present, and for this I'm truly grateful. I am not troubled by the arising of frustration in myself and others; I see the beauty in not stifling the flow of energy. I am free from the desperate urge to awaken. Though I am not in an "abiding sense of awakening," I have no need for seeking! So, I'm free to play with life! In all of its manifestations. I continue to paint and plan for an upcoming costumed CD release party, an event to share the joy with everyone! I hold two images in mind about the retreat experience. Imagine being on a swing. Day by day at the center, gaining momentum... back and forth, higher and higher... until at the highest possible upswing, you leap... and remain suspended in mid-air! Supported! Imagine being a child. Anything is possible! You can be Superman or a frog, the wind or a cowgirl. Then, as you grow, the programming of the world intrudes and life becomes rather serious. At some point, we remember to laugh, and become again as little children! Enjoy the ride!!
Sun & Fun
Sun & Fun
2023-09-17
This is the best retreat I have even been to. On one hand nothing is going on and then suddenly you notice everything has changed. It is just alchemy. There is no words how profound it is and how wonderful are the people that organize it. If you think you experienced everything or know everything (and especially then) take part in this retreat. You have no idea how transformative it is. Forget expectations because It will exceed them anyway
Steve Conley
Steve Conley
2023-08-24
No amount of words can detail the Samadhi Center experience, you must experience it for yourself. ❤️🙏
Dianne Rushing
Dianne Rushing
2023-07-12
I am so glad I visited and did a 3 day retreat to prepare me for a future 9 day retreat. My meditation has improved dramatically and I have a much deeper understanding of myself. I can't wait to return, Both staff and participants were kind and loving. It was a beautiful experience!
Meg Gillespie
Meg Gillespie
2023-07-12
Plunked deep in nature, the Samadhi Center offers you everything your heart desires most deeply. The 3-day I Am Intensive retreat is utterly transformative. The weekend I attended, led by Dan and Attilla,, allowed me to have the most profound healing experience I have ever known. Beyond that aspect being, well, EVERYTHING!!, the beds were comfy, the site is quiet and clean and the food was top notch delicious. Every moment spent there was a moment to treasure. So very grateful.
UJ Ramdas
UJ Ramdas
2023-07-12
If you're a serious about inner work, the Samadhi Center can change your life. I've been meditating since before I was a teen and have been to a bunch of ashrams and meditation retreats. And yet, I've done some of the best spiritual work of my life at the retreats here. Here's the thing: this place isn't for the merely curious. It's for the truly sincere seeker. I've known Dan (the founder) for over ten years and I feel very thankful to call him a friend. I've done multiple retreats here and the major thing that that's different here? They really care. And that shows up in all the details: the structure of the retreats, the way Dan screens folks that wouldn't be a good fit, the reasonable pricing and the scholarships and frequent Q&A's with the participants. I'm deeply thankful this place exists. I'd be a different person if it didn't.
Liya Shalmiev
Liya Shalmiev
2023-07-02
Wow, there aren't enough words to describe this place! But I'll try: I went on a personal retreat and it was absolutely fantastic. The place is so serene and peaceful, almost magical. There are beautiful trails to walk on and spots to meditate in nature. Every person in the centre is so generous, kind, knowledgeable and humble. Their support and care is so genuine and I feel immense gratitude for that. I really felt like I got to truly disconnect and deepen my meditation practice in ways I couldn't have done at home. I really recommend this place to anyone who seeks to go deeper and find out their true nature. My stay here was so incredibly meaningful. Also, Jerome's food is sooo good! Thank you so much Jenn, Jerome, Dan, and John! I'm still taking in all the positive effects of my time at the Samadhi centre and can't wait to come back 🙂
JOSEPH WHITMAN
JOSEPH WHITMAN
2023-06-28
My experience at the Samadhi Center far exceeded any expectations I may have had. For one thing, the staff are absolutely amazing, and they fully support you in your endeavors to meditate, and to be on your retreat. I could not recommend this more highly!