Our property has walking trails along the river and through woods and meadows that lead you back to the town of Almonte. Nearby, there are more trails at the historic Mill of Kintail Conservation Area. Ed Lawrence, (www.gardeningwithed.com) long time gardener and nature lover, has kindly offered to share his vast wisdom of, and kinship with plants, on the trails or in the garden.

Gardening

We operate 2 greenhouses and have a summer garden that provides food for our table, a local farmer’s market and a local CSA (community supported agriculture) programme. Guests at the retreat are invited to learn about these agricultural initiatives by watching, or “hands on”, by helping out in the garden.

Swimming, Canoeing and Biking

Our property is located on a secluded stretch of the Mississippi River, which makes swimming or canoeing here a delight. For those who enjoy biking, a 15 minute cycle takes you to the hamlet of Blakeney. Here, at a lovely park and conservation area, you will find beautiful picnic grounds, and walks that lead to a gorge and a waterfall.

Cooking

The kitchen is an integral part of our home and a place for enjoyment and creative expression. Meal preparation is also a time of sharing knowledge about food and friendship. During the retreat, there is opportunity for you to take part in this ritual and to take home with you recipes of favorite dishes prepared and eaten.

Why Meditate?

Throughout the centuries, and across all cultures, meditation has been practiced to improve one’s quality of life, to gain insight about our own true nature, to improve our relationship with fellow human beings and with the natural world, and to find inner peace and equanimity in the face of life’s daily challenges and vicissitudes.

Meditation is important and can be as natural as breathing, sleeping or eating , in other words, a part of one’s daily routine. But if it’s so natural why don’t we all meditate, and, for those that meditate why can it be a struggle at times, or an exercise in frustration that can lead some to simply giving up?

During the retreat, where there will be time for both the practice of meditation and dialogue with experienced teachers, these questions will be explored.

Astrology

The astrological birth chart provides a wonderful mandala of our Soul’s path. It serves as our own personal road map. In this introductory workshop, you will be given a copy of your birth chart. We will explore the basic meanings of the 12 zodiac signs and houses and the planets. This promises to be a lively, hands-on introduction to an often-misunderstood topic. Those wishing to have a private astrological reading should contact Julie prior to the retreat so that arrangements for this can be made.

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