Dharma Retreats

Our Beginnings    

     Dr. Kate Partridge founded Dharma Retreats in 1998. We are a small non-profit venture that has been providing annual meditation retreats for people wishing to learn and deepen their practice of Meditation.

    

     Each year we offer a week-long silent meditation retreat, usually at the Guest House of the Sisters of St. John the Divine, in Willowdale (Toronto), Ontario, Canada. A teacher from the Insight Meditation Society leads the retreat in the practice of vipassina or insight meditation and offers teaching on the Dharma. 

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     In July 2016, Kate brought on Laurie Morrison, Leslie Morgan & John Lovas to help run Dharma Retreats. Despite health challenges, Kate remained actively involved until she died peacefully at home, with her family by her side, on March 5, 2018.

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About the Organization

     Dharma Retreats is completely volunteer run with a three member board of directors. There are no paid employees however, the registration fee is covered for the Retreat Manager.  

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Registration Fees

      The registration fee for the retreat covers accommodation & meals; the teacher's travel expenses, accommodation & meals; administrative costs (eg. website fees).  

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Dana

     Teachers of the Dharma do not charge for the teachings but rather those that hear the teaching of Dharma can offer 'dana' to the teacher. Dana, Pali word, is translated as generosity. 

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A Unique Experience     

     This retreat is a unique experience in two aspects. First, the setting the Sisters of St. John the Divine provide is intended for people seeking a quiet and contemplative environment with private single rooms for each person. Secondly, the retreat kept small for a maximum of 25 people. This creates an intimate atmosphere for deeply engaging in the practice of meditation. 

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We hope you will join us at our next retreat. 

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