Away Retreat: An Ocean of Joy in a Loving Mind

During this retreat we will immerse ourselves in the experience of cherishing love. Kelsang Khacho will guide us in the meditations on equalizing and exchanging self with others. These profound and heart-opening meditations incorporate the teachings on emptiness, the true nature of things, into our training in cherishing love. Doing so helps us to let go of our ordinary self-centred perspective, allowing us to truly open our hearts and to deeply value and cherish others.

The emphasis will be on abiding in this expansive experience of cherishing love in meditation, and carrying it with us during the meditation break, such that we deeply taste the transformative power of this pure love, and how it transforms our whole world into a pure land.

The retreat meditation sessions will be based on the teachings and meditations from the book, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. To deepen your experience of each meditation, it is recommended that you pre-read the chapters from ‘Learning to Cherish Others‘ to ‘Exchanging Self with Others‘ or attend our General Program classes in Calgary on Sundays or Thursdays, or in Okotoks on Mondays. During each retreat session, we will be engaging in the prayer ‘Prayers for Meditation’.

Everyone welcome. During this retreat we will have an opportunity to improve both the quality of our meditation (technique) and the quality of our understanding of Dharma.

We will observe silence each morning up until lunch; however, you are welcome to remain in silence for the entire retreat.

THE VENUE
Retreat Location:
Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre
41160 Retreat Road, Cochrane AB T4C 2W4

THE TEACHER
Kelsang Khacho is the Resident Teacher of Akshobya Kadampa Buddhist Centre. She is a modern Buddhist nun who is an inspiring example of modern Buddhism in practice. She is known for her loving and compassionate nature, as well as her practical presentation of Buddha’s teachings.

Dinner • 6:30pm
Session 1 • 7:30 – 9:00pm (Introduction)

Session 2 ⋅ 7:15 – 7:45 am
Breakfast • 8:00 am
Session 3 ⋅ 9:15 – 10:15 am
Session 4 ⋅ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch • 12 noon
Session 5 ⋅ 2:45 – 3:45 pm
Session 6 ⋅ 4:15 – 5:15 pm
Dinner • 5:30 pm
Session 7 ⋅ 7:30 – 8:30pm (Prayers to the Buddha of Compassion)

Breakfast • 8:00 am
Session 8 ⋅ 9:15 – 10:15 am
Session 9 ⋅ 10:45 am – 11:45 am
Lunch • 12:00pm
Session 10 • 1:00 – 1:30 pm (time for questions)
Pack-up

Cost:
$425 Full retreat, if registered by Oct 31, 2025
$395 Supporting Members if registered by Oct 31, 2025
$465 Registrations accepted after (up until Nov 21, 2025 or until all rooms are filled)

How to Register:
Visit the Centre or Call Akshobya Centre at (403) 454-7595, or register below.

Cancellation Policy: The last day for cancellations (minus a $50 fee and already paid Eventbrite fees) is Nov 21, 2022. Exceptions can be made in case of unexpected serious illness or bereavement. Please contact .

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Cochrane, Workshops in Cochrane.