The Resilience of a Wise Heart
Teacher
Jean Esther
When
September 1-6, 2026
Where
L'arc-en-ciel
Sutton, QC
Registration starts in January.
As we reckon with the changing conditions in our lives personally and globally, how can our dharma practice inform our relationships with ourselves, with others and with the world around us? What did the Buddha offer us 2600 years ago in his teachings that we can practically apply to our lives today?
During this 5 day silent retreat, we will explore these questions through our direct daily practice of formal meditation periods and in all our daily activities. There will be periods of guided meditation along with daily Dharma Talks reflecting the Buddha’s teachings along with small group discussions with Jean.
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.
Registration Information
LOCATION: L'arc-en-ciel Retreat Centre, 567 chemin McCullough, Sutton (Québec), J0E 2K0, Canada
All of the rooms are double rooms, with shared washrooms.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm, Tuesday, September 1. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Sunday, September 6. 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: $2 050
- Sustaining: $1 600
- Base: $1 075
- Reduced: $900
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $537.50
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.