An article by Nick Butler with photos by Chris Luginbuhl

The idea of attending a weekend meditation retreat sounded like a pretty idyllic escape from the beginning. But I must confess that, on the drive to Juniper Hill Retreat Centre, I found myself wondering what I was really getting myself into. After all, I had never sat in meditation for any extreme length of time, or adhered to any sort of strict meditation schedule. Like many beginners, my approach to sitting had always tended toward the forgiving side…I would tell myself: “five minutes on the cushion? Good enough! At least I tried”.

The first thing I noticed upon arriving was the incredible warmth with which Madeline Conacher, Louis Allen and Mabinti Dennis welcomed the eclectic group of around ten into our new, weekend home. Their open-armed approach to hosting set a wonderful tone from the start. It’s as if their welcoming attitude gave us all permission to be open and receptive to one another, ridding any sense of shyness or trepidation among the group. It felt safe and nonjudgemental.

The second thing that struck me was the breathtaking view offered by their sprawling property. The rolling hills seem to go on forever, uninterrupted and untouched. As we were treated to a delicious and healthy abundance of food outdoors, it’s safe to say that we had all begun to feel relaxed, and the meditating hadn’t even started.

Over the course of the next two days, we were guided along an incredible path of practice that combined sitting meditation, walking meditation, Shamatha Yoga, useful talks by by Madeline, Louis, and Mabinti, as well as a great video of a talk by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche from the 2009 Sangha Retreat at Shambhala Mountain centre. The schedule was an ideal fit for a beginner since it offered a satisfying challenge without pushing too far or feeling too strenuous.

But the group was comprised of people with all levels of experience and it became clear that, no matter what stage each one of us was at, we were all finding value in sharing our practice with like-minded people in this secluded oasis, far removed from every day distractions.

Madeline, Louis and Mabinti offered clear, practical and detailed instructions and also encouraged discussions. It was incredibly comforting to hear about the challenges others faced and to realize that none of us were truly alone on our path. We had all been dealing with the same questions, obstacles and experiencing the same breakthroughs, yet so rarely do we have the opportunity to share these moments with others. There was tremendous benefit to the sense of community that emerged even over such a short period of time, as it helped forge a feeling of companionship and unity.

I think we all left Juniper Hill with a renewed commitment to the practice and a mysterious sense of inner peace that had definitely not been there on the drive up.

To view a slide show of Chris’s photo’s go to our Flickr website.

An article by Eleanor with photos by Chris Luginbuhl

When I signed up for the Juniper Hill Retreat Centre Winter retreat, I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I had only been to a Shambhala open house evening in Toronto where I received meditation instruction and then once more when I came to sit in the main shrine room for about 20 minutes. But I remembered how much my perspective and mood had shifted after these two sittings in Toronto. Both times, I started out agitated and came away with a calmer and clearer mind. And so, with the new year approaching, I decided I would take a bigger leap, and without knowing anyone else who would be there, I signed up.

Before the retreat, I hadn’t realized that Madeline Conacher and Louis Allen would be sharing their home with us. It was a wonderful surprise. Their house is gorgeous and filled with hand crafted furniture made by Louis himself. Outside, it was a winter wonderland and Louis graciously gave us a tour of the grounds. We slid down rolling hills, and, as we climbed through wooded areas on trails that Madeline and Louis had blazed, we tried to identify different animal tracks and learned about the wildlife in the area.

Madeline and Louis also led the meditation sessions and discussions. I was happy to find out it did not matter that I was new to Shambhala: everything was taught in a clear and easy to understand way, and they gave plenty of room for questions and discussion.

Meditation sessions at first consisted of shamatha sitting meditation, walking meditation, and shamata yoga. Later,with careful instruction, we learned to incorporate contemplation meditation with an emphasis on contemplating loving-kindness to both ourselves and others. At night we watched talks by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and Pema Chödrön. All of them, in very different ways, clarified how relevant meditation practice is to living day to day in a very complex world.

Our last full day at Juniper Hill was New Years Eve and earlier on, Louis had joked that we would have the best New Years Eve party in Ontario. I laughed, not taking him too seriously at the time, since I didn’t think we would be having a party at a meditation retreat. Well, it turned out I was wrong and he was right. Madeline set a beautiful table on top of a glamorous crimson table cloth, and we had plenty of toasts, delicious food, a great movie, and lively discussions that went late into the night. Well, for us 11pm was plenty late.

The next day, we meditated for a few hours and then we were off. Five and a half days does fly by when you’re with such great company and in such a wonderful environment. But though it went quickly, I gained so much – new friends, a new outlook and a new year begun with intention and mindfulness.

Note: A weekthun is planned for June 2010. As well as offering group retreats in the main house, there is a beautiful secluded retreat cabin for solitary retreats. Juniper Hill is located 2 hours east of Toronto, 3 hours west of Ottawa and 4 hours west of Montreal. Please check the website for further info regarding Juniper Hill Retreat Centre or email Madeline and Louis at conacher-allen@sympatico.ca

An article by Joanne Alexander

I arrived for the first time at Juniper Hill, the home of Louis Allen and Madeline Conacher, on a sunny Monday morning in August of this year for weekly meditation. The house with its lovely shrine room sits high on a hill overlooking the valleys and smaller hills of Northumberland County. I thought, what a beautiful place! When Madeline told me about the upcoming Simplicity Retreats during tea, I felt that I would definitely want to attend at some point.

Needing some respite after a gruelling move, I signed up for the September retreat. I arrived shortly before dinner on Friday and was welcomed graciously. Those who came earlier were taken for a tour of the multiple acre property by Louis. The participants, most of whom came from Toronto, became acquainted over dinner.

On Friday evening, Louis reviewed the schedule for the next two days, and we had a short meditation sitting. The group was also informed that meditation interviews were available with Madeline or Louis on Saturday. Mabinti Dennis assisted with time keeping and leading meditation over the weekend.

We were fortunate to have some time to take walks, relax and read during the retreat.

The weather was beautiful all weekend – unseasonably cool evenings with a clear sky for star gazing, and sunny days with warmish afternoons. One brave soul, David, slept in a tent on the lawn. The rest of us slept comfortably in the house. Madeline is an excellent cook, and the food was abundant, fresh and delicious, mostly made from local produce and ingredients.

We awoke to the sound of bells at 7 a.m. each day. The mornings were spent in silence, which was quite an adjustment for those who had not experienced this tradition before. On Saturday morning, Louis reviewed meditation instruction prior to participants engaging in chants, sitting mediation and walking meditation outdoors through the meadows. Meditation sessions were interspersed with shamatha yoga.

On Saturday afternoon, I met with Madeline and sought advice on developing a regular meditation practice and staying on the path. Her sage guidance was very helpful and practical. After a hearty lunch that day, Louis reviewed the obstacles and antidotes to mindfulness practice, then led a discussion and responded to questions. Meditation and tea followed. Later, a video of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche speaking about meditation at Dalhousie University was shown, which the group enjoyed immensely. A lively discussion ensued, with participants sharing their insights.

That evening, we enjoyed a sumptuous wild salmon dinner. Afterward, some of the group watched a film called ‘Travellers and Magicians’ which was produced by a Buddhist meditation master and film director. Some of the more adventurous folks went for a walk to observe the stars and enjoy the peace and quiet of country life.

After Sunday morning chants and meditation, Louis prepared a delicious breakfast of blueberry crepes. Madeline later provided instruction on contemplative meditation. Meditation continued on into the afternoon, followed by a celebratory tea and treats.

As I drove back home, I thought fondly about spending a weekend of simplicity in the company of new friends, and of the wealth of teachings and profound insights from Madeline, Louis, Mabinti and my fellow participants. Going to Juniper Hill was a wonderful experience!

About the author: Joanne Alexander recently moved to Prince Edward County from Orangeville, Ontario.

Simplicity - “a simple state or quality, as of form or composition; freedom from intricacy or complexity.” Webster’s New World College Dictionary

An article by Teresa Peipins

When I first heard of a simplicity retreat at Juniper Hill Retreat Centre, hosted by Madeline Conacher, Louis Allen, and Mabinti Dennis, I didn’t hesitate in signing up. I’d had the pleasure of hearing Madeline teach a Shambhala Training Level near Buffalo, in East Aurora, New York and though I wasn’t sure what the weekend would bring, I was ready.

The setting of Campbellford, Ontario, a two hour drive east of Toronto was perfect for a retreat. Madeline and Louis invited 10 of us into their home situated on many acres of rolling hills and lush valleys. The geography was perfect for following paths past juniper trees, oaks, and pines and seeing the occasional birch hidden in the forest. Or for some of us, it meant just sitting in the garden on a hilltop reading or listening to the sounds of birds.

Mornings began with the gentle but insistent sound of a bell ringing. We woke to see mist rising in the surrounding green hills. A half hour optional meditation with morning chants followed at 7:30 before breakfast.

In the morning Louis reviewed meditation instruction, later followed by shamatha yoga. We had the opportunity to do our walking meditation in the green meadow by the house, feeling part of the land as we followed him single file on the inclines and descents.

Since during the mornings we were functionally silent, it took a few moments to adapt to the spoken world. We then sat down to a wonderful lunch on long wooden tables beneath the trees in the garden. This provided a feeling of community and joy in meals that is so often missing in our harried Western lives. Lunch consisted of local produce and cheeses and like all the meals was healthy and delicious. Madeline is a superb cook and I took note of many of her recipes.

In the afternoon there was sitting and walking meditation followed by a video of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s teaching. A discussion followed and we were all able to benefit from the participants’ insights and experiences.

In the evening we were able to enjoy the lovely interior of the main house while we had dinner and viewed Mabinti’s slides of the Sakyong’s weddings. The electricity unexpectedly went out (not a common occurrence) adding to our feeling of warmth and reminding us of what simplicity means as we sat by candlelight and simply enjoyed being present.

On Sunday, after a special breakfast with Louis expertly flipping crepes, Madeline gave instruction in contemplation meditation. A first for me was aimless walking which I took to immediately. After our afternoon meditation, we saw a video of a talk given by Chogyam Trunpa Rinpoche (Creating Enlightened Society). It was another first for me and I was mesmerized by this historic figure who died just a few years after this talk.

We had bonded as a group under the kind instruction of Madeline, Louis, and Mabinti. We said our goodbyes and were left to return home with teachings and a vision that a simple life was indeed possible. Many of us hope to return.

Bio
Teresa Peipins is a writer who recently returned to the United States after living abroad. Her chapbook is available on Amazon.

Additional remarks from Madeline and Louis: A special thanks to the participants who came to the first Simplicity program and to everyone who helped organize the weekend. Mabinti Dennis who came up with the initial idea, provided guidance, helped to coordinate the weekend and encouraged people in Toronto to attend. Susan Wood, George Free and Greg Vassie with publicity and website support. Teresa Peipins for writing this article; and Henry Chapin for his guidance and support. Lastly, we encourage people to come and do solitary or group retreats at Juniper Hill Retreat Centre. Thanks.