Retreats: Frequently Asked Questions

Excellent question! We have "A Guide to Retreats" available for you to view to learn all about our retreats!

You can find it under the 'Retreats' Menu of this website labeled "Retreat Info Package". Or visit of these links:

1. https://truclam.ca/retreatinfopackage

2. https://truclam.ca/aguidetoretreats

We have a comprehensive guide on how to register for our retreats available on our website under the 'Retreats' menu, labelled "Registration Guide".

Or, you may also go to this link to access the registration guide: https://truclam.ca/registrationguide

We have a packing list available in our Retreat Info Guide under Appendix II A: Packing Checklist.

You can also view it by clicking the 'Retreats' section of the website, and scrolling down to the bottom of the page under 'Resources'>'Checklists'

Our retreats are normally hosted at Westlock Meditation Centre.

Address:

58012 Range Rd 270, Busby, AB T0G 0H0, CANADA

Here is a google maps link: (Click Here)

It is a 55-minute (73km) drive from the city and 1 hour and 5 minutes (101km) from the airport.

Westlock Meditation Center is a practice center and monastery home to diverse cultures. To respect and support our collective energy of practice, we ask everyone always to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes.

Please wear only clothes that fully cover your shoulders, chest, back and legs past the knees. You may find a light shawl handy in Summer. Please do not wear shorts, hot pants, tank tops, short dresses, etc. If your clothing is too revealing, you may not be able to enter the Meditation Halls. These are sacred spaces.

Simple, casual clothing that’s easy to wash is best.

Please note: If you are coming in Winter, we recommend you bring plenty of layered clothes for wet, windy and cold weather, as well as for our drafty, modest accommodation.

At Westlock Meditation Center, we can accommodate up to 500 retreatants. All accommodations in Westlock Meditation Center is communal. Most living areas and all rooms are shared to encourage community living and mutual support in our practice. We cannot provide single rooms.

All beds are bunk beds.

Males will stay in male dormitories, and females will stay in the female dormitories. We are flexible if you bring infants and young children who wish to remain with their parents during retreats.

We ask you to arrive at least one day before the retreat begins so you can acquaint yourself with your surroundings and facilities. You can depart the night after the end of the last day of retreat or the days after. If you wish to stay longer or there is a change in your travel itinerary, please get in touch with the registration office so we can sort it correctly.

There is no fee. We'd be happy to receive donations if you wish to make donations. Your contribution helps us maintain and develop the monastery campus, grounds, and facilities to create a healing and peaceful environment for your retreat and future generations.

All meals are vegetarian. We eat our meals together in mindfulness. We usually have 15-20 minutes of silent eating at the start of lunch and dinner, and breakfast is usually entirely silent. Eating in silence helps us appreciate the food deeply and cherish the presence of those around us.

We regret that we cannot cater to specific individual dietary requirements or medical needs nor provide cooking or refrigeration facilities. Please bring your own supplements (or allergy replacements) as necessary.

We do not have rooms with wheelchair access and no dedicated parking (retreatants need to provide their own wheelchair).

We also recommend that retreatants with certain disabilities come with a friend/family who may provide extra support during their stay, because currently our accessible facilities and resources are limited and under development.

Mattresses, pillows, sheets, duvets, and covers are provided. However, you're more than welcome to bring your own.

In the cooler/colder months, you should bring a sleeping bag or extra blanket for extra warmth.

Please also give your cell phone and Internet a retreat during the retreat. Internet access is only available for staff members and for urgent purposes.

Please remember to put an auto-response in your email to make all your travel arrangements and have a copy of your travel documents before you arrive.

We recommend asking friends & family to support your retreat by limiting phone communication (you could arrange a specific day to check messages or make a call).

Yes, there is WIFI at the monastery; however, we encourage you to prepare in advance to have data readily available for yourself. The WIFI is reserved for staff members at the monastery.

Although we love animals, we cannot accommodate pets in the Westlock Meditation Center. Please keep your beloved pets at home.

If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please send us an email at retreats@truclam.ca

As we normally receive several hundred emails per day, we kindly ask that you do not re-submit/re-send your email unless you have not received a response after 7 calendar days.

The monastery only provides transportation for retreats if you register and select "pick up/drop off/pick up & drop off." Outside of retreat season, we ask you to find other means of transportation or contact us through email.

For those arriving by bus, we ask you to select your arrival destination at the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to make pickups easy.

Those arriving by plane must exit the gate departure and go to the arrival/baggage claim area. Please meet us at the Tim Hortons coffee shop by gate 8.

The retreat is not a silent retreat unless it is specified. You are able to communicate to your loved ones on your devices or if needed you can use the monastery's landline phone to call.

No, there is no age limit to attend. We do ask children ages 12 and under to be accompanied by their parents/guardian.

The typical day schedule of the retreat varies. Retreats for adults will be more practice-based, including chanting, sitting meditation, and Dharma talks. With youth retreats, it will be flexible and cultivate togetherness through workshops and fun activities.

We do encourage you to stay and participate for the full duration of the retreat to get the full experience. However, we understand that not everyone is able to attend the full duration due to their schedule. We are open to receiving attendees that are not able to stay for the full duration of retreat.

Yes, it is highly recommended that you have travel/health insurance in case of a incident that may occur.

If you need to cancel your booking please email to khoatu@truclam.ca with your registration number to cancel.

Yes, laundry is available at the monastery. However, we encourage you to bring enough clothes for the duration of the retreat. The laundry machine at the monastery is limited and is used for communal purposes.

Yes, you are able to leave the monastery grounds during the retreat if needed. We recommend you to be present and attend the retreats schedule.

Yes, we do livestream the retreats activities. You can follow the livestream on the monastery's Youtube channel or Facebook page at "Truc Lam & Tay Thien Canada" & "Edmonton Buddhist Research Institute."

We do offer consultations outside of the retreat schedule. If you wish to have a consultation with a monastic, please email khoatu@truclam.ca with the subject "Consultation."

Please be aware that the monastic will organize with the individual based on their availability.