Participant Information

Our primary intention at True North Insight is to provide supportive conditions for the cultivation and development of tranquility, wisdom, kindness and compassion. Our retreats are based on Insight Meditation, emphasizing the application of mindfulness, meditative inquiry and other supportive practices. TNI offers teacher-guided retreats suitable for both new and experienced meditators.

Schedule The daily rhythm of TNI retreats varies slightly from one teacher to another. A typical daily schedule begins at about 6:00 am and ends about 9:30 pm. The day consists of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation using a variety of forms, including mindfulness of the breath, of body sensations and of mind, and the cultivation of metta, or friendliness. Teacher guidance is provided through instructions, guided meditations, daily dhamma (dharma) talks, and interviews that may be in small groups or individual.

Silence Our retreats are held in silence, offering the experience of solitude within the support of a group. Not intentionally communicating with others through speaking, notes, telephone or other forms of contact allows oneself and others to more readily settle into the flow of the retreat, and supports the arising of tranquility and insight. Within the silence there will be opportunity to meet with the teacher(s) and ask questions. The teachers and the retreat manager are available for your support when needed. Silence is usually broken near the end of the retreat to allow for a sharing of experience and to facilitate connection with others on retreat.

Noble silence fosters a sense of solitude and helps to provide a space for quieting the body-mind. It provides an atmosphere that supports and facilitates the inner unfolding of insight and the deepening of meditation. As a support for the inner and outer silence of all, retreatants must agree to refrain from reading, writing, listening to music, using cell phones or other electronic devices, or other forms of communication during the retreat, which includes communication with other retreatants, either by notes, eye contact or body language. This will allow you to be in community with others in a supportive, respectful way. Retreatants may communicate with teachers and manager when it is necessary. Individual teachers
might modify these instructions about maintaining silence at the retreat.

Ethical guidelines Retreatants are asked to practice the five traditional guidelines, or precepts, for the period of the retreat:

1. I undertake the training to refrain from taking life.
2. I undertake the training to refrain from taking anything that is not freely offered.
3. I undertake the training to refrain from sexual activity.
4. I undertake the training to refrain from telling lies.
5. I undertake the training to refrain from using alcohol or any substances that lead to carelessness.

Meals are nutritious vegetarian with some dairy. The main meals of the day are breakfast and lunch, with a light offering in the evening. The centres we use are able to accommodate sensitivities to gluten and dairy only. For those who have other food restrictions, the cook will do their best to accommodate you, but we can make no guarantees.

What to bring Meditation cushion or bench (chairs are available at the centre), a blanket or mat for under your knees. Most retreat centres provide bedding (sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, and pillow cases). Bring your toiletries, necessary medicines, indoor shoes or slippers, alarm clock.

Clothing We recommend that you come well prepared with clothing selected for comfort rather than style. Please do not bring clothing made of “noisy” fabrics such as nylon.

What not to bring As a support for inner calmness and silence, participants are encouraged not to read. It is therefore suggested you avoid temptation by not bringing any books, as well as no cell phones, beeper watches, candles, or incense.

As some people are particularly sensitive to odors and chemicals, you are asked not to bring or use any perfumes or scented toiletries.

Participation in TNI Retreats A teacher may ask someone to not participate in a retreat or to leave a retreat that has begun if, in the teacher's judgment, a person's participation or continuation in the retreat would not be in the best interests of that person or of the other participants.

Dana

Dana in the Buddhist Tradition
Dana is an ancient Pali word meaning giving or gift. Generosity is at the heart of the 2,500 year old Buddhist tradition. The Buddha and the monastic community offered the teachings freely to lay people, as a form of dana. In turn, the lay community, through their generosity, or dana, ensured that their teachers’ basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and medicine were provided.

For the Buddha, dana was an essential foundation of the teachings. The act of giving itself is of immeasurable benefit to the giver; it opens up the heart, establishes interconnectedness and the value of the well-being of others. It is the natural expression of a wise and loving heart.

"...the donor, before giving, is glad; while giving, their mind is bright & clear; and after giving is gratified." AN 6.37

How Dana Works at True North Insight Retreats
Your retreat fee covers only the retreat costs, room and board, without compensation for the teachers. Honouring this ancient tradition, teachings are considered invaluable and offered freely, with no payment to teachers and managers included in your registration.

At the end of each retreat, you'll be invited to offer dana (donations) to the teachers, retreat manager, and True North Insight. This invitation comes through a dana talk that explains this rich tradition of giving.

Teacher’s Dana
Teachers offer their wisdom with a spirit of generosity and trust, gratefully receiving support for their lives, ongoing studies and work. This beautifully expresses the truth of interdependence — for millennia, we have relied on each other's generosity for the teachings to flourish and for our practice communities to thrive.

Many students have asked for specific guidelines. One suggestion is "to give until your heart feels full”. One may also seek guidance by looking at the fees that are charged for similar events or workshops. Leaders of workshops are typically paid $80 - 100 or more per participant per day. It may be helpful to know that preparing for a retreat can take several days, in addition to travel time.

Although we have continued this ancient and important tradition and practice, there are some essential differences: monastics are supported by monasteries with the requisites of housing, medicine, food, and clothing; lay teachers carry these costs on their own, now and in their old age.

Dana should always be given according to what feels generous within your means. All participants are welcome regardless of their financial circumstances. Our community comes together as in the time of the Buddha, some with less means, some with more, to collectively support our teachers' livelihoods and their continued service to the Dharma.

Thank you for contributing to the culture of generosity that makes your retreat possible and keeps these teachings alive.

Listen to dharma talks on generosity:

Molly Swan (in English)

Pascal Auclair (in French)

Financial Assistance

True North Insight is committed to making the Buddha's teachings accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. We offer partial scholarships to support this mission.

How It Works

• Eligibility: One scholarship per person, per year
• Availability: Limited scholarships for each retreat, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
• Application: Apply directly through the online registration form on your chosen retreat's page

Important Details

• Deposit Required: All registrations require a deposit at the time of booking, including those applying for financial assistance.
• Dana Not Included: Financial assistance covers retreat fees only. Dana (donations) to teachers is separate and not included in the scholarship.
• Cancellation Policy: If you receive financial assistance and need to cancel, please do so as early as possible. This allows us to offer the scholarship to another participant in need. Our standard cancellation policy applies to all financial aid recipients.

Additional Resources
Some retreat participants have successfully obtained funding through the Open Dharma Foundation, which may provide additional financial support options.

Registration Information

Registrations for our retreats are accepted online. All retreats require at least the deposit upon registering. All participants are expected to stay for the length of the retreat, which includes arriving on time and staying until the end of the retreat. The full course fee will be charged, even if it is necessary to leave the retreat early.

Online Registration

With registering online, you immediately receive an email from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. acknowledging receipt of your registration and confirming you into the retreat. The deposit or full payment can be made online via PayPal, by cheque, or with an Interac e-transfer to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Please click here to register online.

After you have registered, if you wish to complete your payment online via PayPal, please click here:

Complete payment online

Cancellation Fees

Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel.  Cancellations after 11 am on opening day of the retreat may prevent those on the wait list from attending.  Deposits and payments cannot be transferred to another person.

•     If you cancel 4 or more weeks before a retreat begins, your deposit is refunded, less a $50 fee. 
•     If you cancel less than 4 weeks before a retreat begins, your deposit is not refunded.