Article by Peggy Stockdale and photos by Chris Luginbuhl

Our weekend of practice at Juniper Hill Retreat Centre began the moment four of us set out on the traffic-crawling trek out of Toronto, a sense of relaxed friendliness that would carry through the entire retreat. If we could stay patient in pre-long weekend traffic , then anything was possible.

As we finally drove freely east, then north through winding country hills, I was happy just to see open fields, cows, a tractor on the road – to get out of the city and be reminded of fresh air and space.

If you’re not familiar with Juniper Hill, Louis Allen and Madeline Conacher have created a nurturing atmosphere of comfort and warmth. Their wooden-beamed house sits on top of the hill, with a spectacular view of fields and forest. We nine participants, plus Laurel Lewey who staffed the weekend, felt immediately at home.

Most of our time was spent up in the lovely shrine room Louis built over the garage, with windows on either side bringing fresh air and nature into our meditation. Sessions were broken by walks around the yard and shamatha yoga barefoot on the grass, as well as instruction from Louis and Madeline. We were all at different stages in our practice, from beginners to some who had meditated for years. That diversity somehow offered support and encouragement to all, even in the silence of sitting.

Not to say that it was silent. City traffic was replaced by constant birdcalls, crickets, frogs croaking away in the pond, and coyotes that woke a few of us in the night. It was a reminder of how accustomed we often become of city sounds, and how distant nature is in our daily lives.

View slide show.

The rest of our time was spent mostly in the kitchen or on the patio. In the mornings we sat silently with coffee and some reading, or simply stretched out on the grass. The afternoons and evenings brought conversation and laughter. We were extremely well fed, spoilt really, with chilli, trout, some amazing quiche, grilled cheese and Louis’ crepes. Rhubarb from their garden. Real cream. Needless to say, there were very few leftovers.

The weather, which had been threatening rain, was extremely cooperative. Louis took us on a walk around the property, which holds several fields, the aforementioned pond of frogs, a patch of woods where a cabin is hidden away from sight, for solitary retreats. Saturday evening, we settled into the shrine room to watch a talk by Pema Chodron, which was an entertaining and insightful extension of our practice.

Two days is a very short time, but I think we would all agree that our practice and understanding was deepened in the process. While I would have loved to stay in that wonderful space for as long as possible, I know we carried the benefits of our experience back with us to our daily lives.

On behalf of the participants of the Spring Simplicity Retreat 2010, I gratefully thank Madeline and Louis for offering their home, their hearts, and their guidance; to Laurel Lewey for helping keep us fed and happy, and to the weather for being such a good sport. Juniper Hill will have a special place in our hearts from now on, and I’m sure we’ll be back as soon as time permits.

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

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.