September 26, 2025 to September 28, 2025 – (Monastic-Led) Annual Retreat!!!
‘Kriya Yoga plus Devotion: A Path of Stillness in Daily Life.’
***Led by veteran SRF monastics – Bro. Balananda and Bro. Padmananda***
Retreats offer an organized opportunity for the spiritually-inclined devotee to share in the ‘satsang’ of divine communion.
For over four decades, our annual weekend retreats held in pristine environs, have brought profound peace and inner awakenings to the serious seeker. The expansion of consciousness and heartfelt commingling of silent minds speaking the language of the soul, have enshrined commitments and also show-cased humility.
In the inner sanctum sanctorum of daily chanting and practice, attendees transcend the hum-drum of daily ‘busyness,’ to nurture and concentrate on the subtle purposes of life.
This year (2025), we once again hold our retreat at the Khalsa Centre (Miracle Valley), Mission, B.C.
This beautiful facility bordering on lakes and enveloped in majestic woods, offers a blessed opportunity to go deep within. The spiritual atmosphere, quiet locale, tasty vegetarian meals and simple-but-clean rooms – make this a serene and ideal place to experience peace and inner upliftment. We hope you can join us.
Date: Friday afternoon – Sept. 26 to Sunday afternoon – Sept. 28, 2025
Time: Check-in – Friday – 3.00 p.m. and beyond. Check-out – Sunday @ 2.00 p.m.
(Dinner: 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Opening Service: 7.45 p.m.)
Location: Khalsa Centre (@ Miracle Valley); 14100 Stave Lake Rd., Mission, B.C. V2V 0A5 https://www.khalsacentre.ca/facilities
Cost: Early-Bird (June 01 to June 30) – $230 per person **(CLOSED)**; Regular (July 01 to Sept 01) – $245 per person **(Now CLOSED)**. [Cost includes vegetarian meals, but no transportation to or from the venue}.
Payment can be made by credit card, e-transfer (preferred) or by cheque.
Some financial assistance is available. Please apply (in confidence) to: retreat@vancouvermeditationgroup.org for more information.
Financial Assistance: If your attendance at this potentially transformative Retreat is hindered by financial constraints, please review the sign-up form. Courtesy the generosity of fellow participants, a significant (or entire) portion of the cost may be sponsored. If you are unable to contribute 50% of the fee, please contact the Retreat Co-ordinator and every effort will be made to ensure the blessing of your presence.
Sponsorship: We seek to organize a Retreat that is affordable to all, but cannot deny the myriad expenses that must be borne with gratitude for this blessing. We also empathize with financial challenges that may make attendance, a daunting proposition for some of our soul- brothers and sisters. In the spirit of ‘selfless giving’ and as a service to the Guru, we encourage you to click the ‘sponsorship’ section of the sign-up form. At all times, you are (also) welcome to connect with the Retreat Co-ordinator directly.
Donations: When we help others, we help ourselves. Your contributions to assist with SRF Tour Department expenses, as also those associated with venue rentals/meals, travel + hospitality for visiting monastics, and variegated incidentals, will be immensely appreciated. Offerings may be made via e-transfer (preferred), cc or cheque. Please add ‘Retreat Donation’ in your message.
Accommodation: There is access to four residential buildings; each with three levels, and all with stair access only. Limited ground-level accommodation is available and will be prioritized for those with mobility concerns. Please indicate if you would prefer to be on the ground (main) level. On each level, there are two shared bathrooms with showers. There will be no common accommodation for couples. Each attendee will have his/her own room consisting of a twin or bunk bed with an uncovered mattress, armoire, night table, and window screens. Bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets) and towels are not supplied. Rooms are basic in their offerings, but are comfortable and clean.
For those travelling and unable to bring pillows and blankets as may be needed, limited options may be available at venue. Please e-mail contact@vancouvermeditationgroup.org.
Food: All meals are vegetarian with (very limited) gluten-free options available.
Friday night – Dinner from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Saturday – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Sunday – breakfast and lunch (check-out at 2.00 p.m.)
Cell/Telephone/Internet: There is no cellular coverage inside the venue, though there is ‘spotty’ access near the gate. There is wireless internet access (with a password) within the ‘langar’ hall where meals are served; and a landline is available for emergency use only.
Registration: Spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click ‘sign-up’ below, to submit your registration online; or choose this .pdf version – to print and submit in person, or to scan and submit via e-mail. A spot will be deemed ‘guaranteed’ only AFTER your payment has been processed, and a confirmation is sent to you by the Retreat Registrar (Please check your ‘spam’ within two weeks of submission). Registration closes: Sept. 01, 2025; 2300 hrs.
Retreat Schedule: Download a pdf of the schedule (subject to change), here.
Cancellation: If you must cancel your registration, please let us know immediately. Our retreats often have a wait-list; but with sufficient notification, your payment will be refunded.
NOTE: There will be no refunds for cancellations received after Monday, September 05, 2025.
List of items to bring: For comfort, as well as to cope with chilly evenings and misty mornings, the following are recommended:
- Sleeping bag (or blanket) with pillow.
- Towels (bath and hand).
- Flat bed-sheet or Twin fitted-sheet (mattresses have a plastic covering).
- Toiletries, etc.
- Water bottle.
- Warm, comfortable clothing.
- Rain jacket and shawl / cardigan / sweater.
- Comfortable walking shoes / outdoor wear (several walking trails amidst the woody surroundings).
- Slippers / flip-flops to wear inside the buildings.
- Flashlight
- Mosquito repellent (optional).
- Medications, if any.
- Meditation cushions, as pews are wooden.
- Pairs of socks for exercises – if conducted indoors;
Volunteering: Our Guru encourages us to seek God in meditation and to serve Him in creation. Ensconced in the Grace of the Divine, every event finds successful manifestation via the noble thought and sustained efforts of numerous volunteers. Without them (and your own help), our annual retreats would only remain a distant vision. If you are able and willing, please review the sign-up sheet available at our Centre, for one or more of the many opportunities available. Local devotees who may not visit the Centre, are welcome to contact the Retreat Registrar. Out-of-town devotees eager to serve, may please liaise with the Retreat Registrar or one of the other volunteers, directly at the venue.
Directions: https://www.khalsacentre.ca/driving-directions
– Rides: For devotees who can provide a ride, and/or for those who may need a ride to/from the venue, a ‘sign-up’ sheet is available in our Centre. Please enquire therein, or e-mail tours@vancouvermeditationgroup.org
Important: Participants are reminded to attend the retreat, in the spirit of ‘silence’ and inner communion, during their entire stay. Please be mindful and respect the similar intent of others. If you have specific questions, please contact the Retreat Co-ordinator at retreat@vancouvermeditationgroup.org
Yogananda stated – Retreats offer a dynamo of silence, where you may go for the exclusive purpose of being re-charged by the Infinite.
