Accommodation was beautiful and food at Stowell Lake Farm was top shelf, beautifully presented and plentiful. I appreciated having a schedule to follow with a bit of free time between scheduled events to just savour the beauty and quiet around me. I loved the daily dharma talks. I am earnestly interested in Buddhism teachings and the subtlety of the teachings bend my brain .....in a good way. appreciated the movement/yoga classes and the final one with no props and dancing led by Melissa was so freeing. it was so much fun to dance around the "airconditioned" (thank gawd) Zendo in ultimate abandon. i was happy to have been meditating with Melissa over the past several years as if I hadn't been aware of the routine/rituals, I feel I would have been lost and felt uncomfortable. There was a talk a couple of days in about the ritual of coming to sit in the zendo but I'm sure newbies would appreciate it on the first day. the day the retreat was over, all seemed easy and fine on the trip home but since then i have been having a hard time reintegrating back into my normal day to day routine. Just don't want to; just want to sit and listen to the birds and the dogs and the rustling of the trees. I did appreciate the reminder email about how to prepare for entering and leaving retreat. It prepared me for how i have been feeling. I am planning to attend again next year and want to return with a beginner mind.

My being is still processing the depth and nourishment of this tender and wise retreat facilitated by Melissa & Elena. I am ever grateful that I went even though the timing (I thought) was not ideal. It was more than ideal as it turns out 🩵 I feel like using less words is the way to say thank you right now; as my body, mind and spirt continue to reap the benefits of the practice, and the space in which the practice took place. Such compassionate leaders with humble and humorous wisdom. I would be remiss though not to also mention the incredibly thoughtful, kind people, land and FOOD at Stowell Lake Farm. WOW. Anyway-I will be signing up for 2027 and that's me being brief. Haha.

Special experience for wonderful retreat. Incredible farm based Facilities with exceptional structures to soend time within. Melissa and Elena provided a sound facilitation of zazen retreat blended into a spectacular natural environment .

The Monastery of Daily Life Zen Retreat is among the most thoughtfully designed retreats I have ever had the pleasure of attending. The well-paced schedule, delicious meals and cozy accommodation provided a sense of ease that allowed me to be fully present. It was my first time practicing in the zen tradition. Melissa, Elena and Matthew delivered the teachings in a clear and accessible way. They led the group with kindness, compassion, humour and professionalism. An unforgettable and deeply restorative experience I look forward to returning to.

It is hard to express in words the transformation I felt on this retreat. Salt Lake Island is stunning, with the peace you immediately feel when arriving on the ferry. At Stow Lake Farm, you are immersed in nature and beauty with expansive flower gardens and a thriving farm. The carefully prepared food straight from the garden was a delight for the senses, and every meal was wonderful, from the homemade granola to the vegetable curries. Our teachers, Melissa and Elena, guided us through the experience with such grace and wisdom. I felt I was finally permitted to feel joy and truly tend to what my body needed most. Melissa and Elena are the most beautiful mentors. The Noble Silence is something I will always integrate into my flow. Forever grateful for this experience.