Silent Retreats & Meditation Intensives

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The Forgiveness Experience

 

Monday, September 29 to Sunday October 5, 2025

 

​​What is the "Forgiveness Experience"?

• The Forgiveness Experience begins with a virtual Orientation in advance of the retreat for focus and intention-setting purposes.

• The retreat itself consists of a focused 7 days dedicated to rest, nature, self-care + nurturing, yoga + gentle movement, mindfulness + meditation, and forgiveness, of course!

• The backdrop for your retreat is a private peninsula property that boasts 2,000 feet of shoreline and a 4,000 square-foot modern castle-like retreat centre, literally surrounded by forests and shimmering lakes. 

• Powerful retreat workshops and group sessions are designed to lovingly bring greater awareness to and freedom from the beliefs that seem to limit you and steal your peace.

• Forgiveness is ultimately very liberating work but can be emotional and draining for some. With this in mind, daily offerings of yoga, meditation, mindfulness exercises, cold plunges & sauna, and incredible meals prepared by our very own chef, are all designed to lovingly support and nurture you as you do this important work.

• Access to 1-1 coaching sessions and daily group expression sessions help support this overall experience.

• Optional massage and hot stone therapy treatments are available (for an additional fee) to support you during your retreat.

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What is Forgiveness?

Traditional forgiveness focuses on trying to let someone else (or ourselves) off the hook for what we think has been done to us or by us. It usually involves an attempt to accept what has occurred and stop dwelling on past hurts. It often involves a perception of being unfairly treated by someone else or by the universe at large. This perception, if left unchecked, leads to a broader belief that we are at the mercy of a cruel and unkind world, and that ultimately we aren't wholly safe or loved. 

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Why does this matter? Well, beliefs shape reality. We will experience what we expect to. Beliefs are the powerful filters through which the mind looks upon everything. When we change the filters, our entire experience changes!  This may seem obvious to some, but it is the exact opposite of what the world around us seems to teach us; that if we want to be happier, we just need to change/improve/remove some aspect of our life (job, home, relationships, finances, etc.). 

 

​Forgiveness reminds us that the opposite true; that if we want to be happier, we need to examine (and forgive) the beliefs we have about ourselves and the world around us. Bringing awareness to our limiting beliefs and challenging them is truly life-changing work. It's the purpose of our time together at the retreat. ​It's freeing and it's happy-making! 

 

For me, there was no greater moment than when I learned that the cause of my suffering, and happiness, was ultimately in my own mind (and not the world). In that moment, I could feel myself finally letting the whole world off the hook and turning the searchlights for the peace I had been seeking in the only direction that could ever really be meaningful - my own mind. 

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The Venue:

The backdrop for our retreat is a beautiful castle-like lodge situated on a private peninsula on Big Gull Lake in Central Frontenac...only 1 hr and 30 minutes from Ottawa. 

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This private peninsula property (named one of the best cottages in Ontario by Conde Nast Traveler) boasts 2,000 feet of shoreline and a 4,000 square-foot modern building, surrounded by forests and shimmering lakes. Cozy up by the stone fireplace and take in the 270-degree view of Big Gull Lake, the heart of Ontario's cottage country. 

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Large living and dining spaces, six bedrooms and six bathrooms, sweeping outdoor decks, two fireplaces, a yoga room, sauna room and so much more.....(see photos below).

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• ​Wander through vast stretches of untouched wilderness. 

• Have a conversation with the loons.

• Rest and go deeper into the heart of silence.

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Why Silent?

Think of a silent retreat like an expedition that takes you vertically into your own Mind and Heart. The destination, if you’re patient enough to get there, is a place of compassion for all aspects of yourself and others, and that’s a reward that’s worth the journey.

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​Silence will be practiced during the retreat experience, with the exception of group workshops. This can initially feel challenging, even for the most introspective among us, but more often it is not. More often we come to realize how hungry we have been for silence, meaningful communication and connection and realize the experience is one that is long overdue.

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Your Retreat Includes

• Six nights and seven days of shared accommodations (two guests/room) at The Point - Big Gull Lake Lodge in Central Frontenac.

• Daily movement, meditation and programming to support the retreat experience.

• All meals prepared with healthy and fresh ingredients (dietary needs/restrictions of participants will be reflected in the preparation of meals).

• Ample time to explore the surrounding miles of untouched beauty, walking trails and pristine Big Gull Lake.​

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Things to Consider

• A willingness to actively attend and participate in all retreat programming is so essential! 
• Cell phone use should be kept to a minimum
• Novels, games, hobbies and personal projects should be kept at home

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Rooms & Rates 

• $1800 (no taxes): includes shared accommodations for 7 days, all meals and snacks, daily programming and workshops, 1-1 coaching, unlimited sauna access + pre-retreat orientation. 

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Payment Option 1: $1800 paid in full (no taxes)​. Note that a 3% fee is added to payments made by Paypal or Credit Card. No extra charges applied to fees paid by EMT.

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Payment Option 2: 4 x $450 deposit/installment (no taxes).

If paying in installments, we kindly request that final payments are processed by August 1, 2025. Note that a 3% fee is added to payments made by Paypal or Credit Card. No extra charges applied to fees paid by EMT.

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​Payment Option 3: 4 x $450 installments by EMT to dropanchoryogaottawa@gmail.com

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​​​​Refund/Cancellation Policy

In the unfortunate event you cannot attend the retreat for which you are registered, the following policies will apply.

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If you cancel before July 31, 2025:
A $450 deposit will be forfeited but the remaining balance of your fees will be refunded to you. 

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If you cancel after July 31, 2025:

In the event that you cannot attend the retreat but know of someone who can take your place, you can transfer the full amount of your fees paid to the 3rd party, on condition that we are notified promptly by both parties of this transaction. If you are unable to find someone to fill your spot, your retreat fees will not be refunded. 

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If we cancel a retreat:
We will refund you all funds you have paid to date for that event.

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