Awakening to Our Heart’s True Home
Teacher
Jean Esther
Assisted by Michelle Nicholls
When
March 5-8, 2026
Where
Ecology Retreat Centre,
Mono, ON
It takes courage and steadfastness to put down the demands and occupations of our lives, and to drop out of our daily busyness and distractions. It takes a willingness to slow down, to rest, to be curious, and to simply pay attention.
Within this 3 day silent retreat in the nourishment of the natural world, we will do just that. In stillness and in movement, through guided and non guided daily meditation practice and through reflecting upon the Buddha’s teachings, we inevitably discover and root in what has been there all along: the true wisdom and joy of the heart.
Teacher
Beginning her formal training in meditation in 1975, Jean Esther has trained in the Buddhist Theravadan tradition with renowned senior lay teachers as well as Burmese and Western Monastics since 1982. Over a number of years, Jean has engaged in intensive teacher training in both Vipassana practice and non-dual awareness. Her teaching is also informed by over 43 years of practice as a psychotherapist, focusing on the healing of trauma through an embodied somatic approach. She trained for over 20 years in Jungian psychology with Jungian analyst Marion Woodman. Respecting all of life through a social justice understanding informs her life and her teaching. Jean teaches at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, USA, Insight Meditation Community of Western MA, USA as well as various other locations across the US and Canada. Jean has served on the Guiding Teachers Council of True North Insight since 2015.
Assisted by
Michelle Nicholls (she/her) is an Afro-Caribbean Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist based in Tkaronto (Toronto). She specializes in working with individuals and communities. She is a Community Dharma Teacher with True North Insight. In this capacity, Michelle supports the BIPOC Sangha and co-facilitates inclusive community programs with her peers. She is a devoted mom to a vibrant, creative teen who inspires her to embrace creativity as a way to cultivate balance. Michelle is also passionate about writing on topics such as mindfulness, curiosity, vulnerability, and healing practices, sharing her insights about navigating and exploring the complexities of life.
Registration
LOCATION: Ecology Retreat Centre, 308046 Hockley Road, Mono, ON L9W 6N2, Canada.
All of the rooms are double rooms, with shared washrooms.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm, Thursday, March 5. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Sunday, March 8. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch. The teacher requests that you plan to attend the entire retreat – please arrive on time and stay through the closing talk.
COST: TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. TNI retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. Fees do not include compensation for the teachings, and teachers rely on the generosity of retreatants for a sustainable income. There is an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the teachers at the end of each retreat.
A deposit of 50% of the base rate is required to register to the retreat. The deposit is included in all of our fees.
- Benefactor: $1 725
- Sustaining: $1 170
- Base: $825
- Reduced: $600
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $412.50
Benefactor
The Benefactor rate provides the opportunity to offer more substantial support for TNI.
Sustaining
The Sustaining rate represents the actual cost to TNI to operate our programs. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer lower sliding-scale rates and ongoing financial subsidies.
Base
The Base rate covers 69 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Reduced
Payment at the Reduced rate covers only 55 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Scholarship
TNI offers scholarships providing a reduction of up to 50% on the base rate on our sliding scale to those who request them. Scholarships are available for a limited number of places.