What’s the purpose of a retreat?
Retreats offer the opportunity to pause and refresh ourselves. For the time we are in retreat we set aside daily concerns and obligations so we can engage more fully with our hopes, our values, our purpose.
A retreat is never a backing away from our lives, but rather a going toward what matters most.
Whether you are attending online or in-person, indoors or out, we work to create a calm, welcoming space for you to put aside your routines and distractions.
There will be quiet moments for reflection and mindfulness.
Readings, images, poetry and natural environments act as catalysts for introspection.
Gentle guidelines support listening and sharing in small groups.
Simple meditations and gentle exercises offer rest and renewal.
All retreat experiences are invitational and participants determine their level of participation.
We respect everyone’s right to participate in our retreats to the extent that they are comfortable.
Everything we offer is an invitation.
When we invite participants to speak and share for example, it is always your choice to do so.
We ask everyone participating to agree to respect the thoughts and words of other participants.
We do not record our retreats and we ask that everyone keep the thoughts and words of others confidential.
When you register for one of our retreats, you will also have an opportunity to identify any accommodations that you might need to support your participation. We’ll do our best to meet them.
Yes.
An online retreat offers many of the same benefits of in-person retreats: protected time away from day-to-day concerns; space for reflection; gentle conversations; a slower pace.
Of course, you won’t have the advantage of a fresh physical environment, which can help you find new perspectives; but being in your own environment may offer advantages, too. No travel time, for one. And the transition from retreat to home can be smoother and allow you to bring new insights forward into your daily life more easily.
Many of our online participants have remarked how well an online retreat worked for them, much to their surprise. After attending two sessions online with us, one participant told us:
Rest assured, even in day long retreats, you are never online for extended periods of time. We’ll offer plenty of time off-screen for movement, self-care and reflection.
When you register for an online retreat we’ll offer tips for making your retreat experience a good one.
winifred@insideoutsideretreatcentre.com
We are settlers on Treaty 13 Land, the traditional territories of many Indigenous Nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples from across Turtle Island. We are committed to honouring the history this land bears witness to, responding to the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and walking lightly on the Earth. A portion of proceeds from all our offerings are sent to: The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and The Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation.
The Inside Outside Retreat Centre, Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), 720 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5S2R4