Dear Friend,
​It is with great pleasure that we announce our 2026 Spring Retreat, How to Water Seeds to Support our Mindfulness Practice, with the teachers and community of Maple Village.  This retreat will take place at Maple Village from Thursday, May 14, 6:00 pm to Monday, May 18, 3:00pm. The monks and nuns from Blue Cliff Monastery (New York State) will not be able to join us this year.
​Registration details and other key information are provided below.  We also invite you to consult our 2026 Maple Village activity calendar, if you are unable to attend this spring retreat.

Registration

​To help us finalize logistics for the retreat, we kindly ask that you register as early as possible using this online form.  Payment can be made by Interac e-transfer or by cheque sent via postal service.
​For your personal benefit, we recommend that you attend the full 4-day retreat.  Full-duration registrations will be given priority, and we reserve the right to decline registrations for shorter stays. Registrations for 1-2 days or for single-day attendance will not be accepted on-site.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation more than 4 days in advance: 100% refund
  • Between 4 and 1 days: 50% refund
  • At the start of the retreat (May 16): no refund

Arrival and Departure

​You may arrive on Thursday, May 14, starting at 6:30 PM.  Bring a vegetarian dish, as dinner will not be provided that evening.  The retreat will end on Monday, May 18, around 3:00 PM, after breakfast and general cleanup.

Accomodations

​Accommodations include a 20-bed dormitory (reduced to 50% capacity) in the basement, and a zendo used both as a meditation hall and as a dormitory at night.  You may also bring your own tent; we have ample camping space at the village.  No reduced rate is offered for those who opt to sleep outdoors.

Transport

​There is no bus service to St-Étienne-de-Bolton (the nearest village).  The best option is to provide your name and departure date, and we will try to assist you with carpooling (see the registration form).

Health Protection Measures

​Many of the participants in our retreats are in fragile health, due to age or medical conditions.  However, close proximity among participants is unavoidable if we are to welcome as many people as possible.  We continue to take mitigation measures such as reducing capacity in the dormitory and to encourage mask-wearing, distancing, and hand-washing.  You are also encouraged to opt to sleep in your own tent, well spaced apart, for greater peace of mind.
​We hope to see you again soon.  In the meantime, take good care of yourselves and stay healthy.