Bringing together two dharma sisters, and one shared commitment to practice, this 5-night retreat to Stowel Lake Farm is a return to nature, to depth, self-study, and deep listening. 
On this co-led retreat with Melissa Seikai Berry Appleton and Elena Ansui Brower, expect to be immersed in practices of zazen, samu (one hour of fresh air farm work), asana, as well as time to tend to yourself, lay on the ground, walk, and sit near a body of water. 

Our studies center around the teachings of Ch'an, the precursor to Zen, in particular, the writings of Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091-1157) whose work became a vital force in Dogen's teaching (1200-1253), the founder of the Soto Zen lineage in which both Melissa and Elena study for the past years. 

The reason for bringing these teachings to our retreat study is simple: These words / this work applies to every moment of our lives, the simplicity and majesty of life as a lay practitioner, cultivating awareness, letting go of the need for attainment, while resting in just this body, and the practice of silent illumination. Retreat form will offer insights into our habitual conditioned viewpoints, cultivating an empty field, and realign our inherent luminous true nature. All of this, solid ground for everyday simple living.

May we all deeply appreciate diversity in gender, race and form and is commit to walk alongside and support those whose lived experience is perpetually laced with institutional bias, harm and discrimination.

Stowel Lake Farm is a thriving organic farm, retreat center, and community, located on 100 acres of mixed forests, fields, rocky outcrops and rolling hills, on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia ~ a truly incredible place. The food, the facilities and the land are an exceptional venue to meet all the right elements of retreat. If you are travelling from afar ~ we recommend taking a couple of extra days to explore the rich natural beauty of this place.

Melissa Berry Appleton, MC, RCC, Chaplain

Mother, teacher, chaplain and psychotherapist. Lay ordained by Roshi Joan Halifax, serving the University of British Columbia and Stillwater Zen Community. Melissa supports healthcare workers, and the multi-faceted nature of moral injury as a compass towards compassion, rebuilding systems of trust and collective resilience. For decades Melissa has taught meditation, yoga, somatic movement, embodiment, ethical engagement and compassionate frameworks.

Melissa provides care from a holistic approach, recognizing innate goodness as a resource to meet suffering, joy, meaning and purpose. She works with people 1:1 and specializes in peer support group process and psycho-education. Warm hand to warm hand, direct in person care and connection lays the groundwork for support and restoration. She lives in a cedar home on a creek with her garage transformed into a zendo for the Stillwater Zen Community ~ The Domestic Monastery Studio. She takes refuge in the earth and water, and pays homage by laying her whole body and life down on the ground and dipping into waters whenever summoned.

Elena Ansui Brower

Elena has taught yoga and meditation since 1999. She received Jukai from Roshi Joan Jiko Halifax in 2023 and is currently a candidate in Upaya’s Chaplaincy Training, and in study with Monshin Nannette Overley. Author of Art of Attention, Practice You, Being You, Softening Time, and Hold Nothing, Elena teaches yoga virtually on Glo, volunteers in hospice, facilitates yoga and meditation in the local penitentiary. Her writing on Substack supports On The Inside, offering teacher training to women who were recently released, as well as Girls on Fire Leaders and Free Food Kitchen.

Thank you so much for sending your inquiry and interest for retreat ~

This process was created to ensure each of us dedicate honourable commitment to the experience of retreat. We recognize the preciousness of your time and resources to make this journey. We are committed to creating safe spaces. This often requires such bravery and commitment to really show up with all our incredible parts. Elena and Melissa wish to support all of you as best we are able.

A response and opportunity for registration will follow.

This retreat is offered in the spirit of Dana.  Registration fees cover the cost set by Stowel Lake Farm for accommodations, food, facility use at Stowel Lake Farm and basic administration fees.

In honour of our Buddhist lineage and teachers, Elena and Melissa offer this week of teachings freely because they are considered priceless. In the Buddhist tradition we practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings for the teachings. Dana is not payment for goods or services rendered; it is given from the heart. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teachers, but also the Sangha, the larger Dharma community, and your own practice.

On the last day of retreat you will have an opportunity to express generosity by way of donation to Melissa and Elena.

Cancellations

A deposit of 500 dollars is non-refundable from initial payment. There will be no refunds on final payments past April 18th.  We highly recommend considering insurance for unforeseeable circumstances. In the event you are unable to attend retreat, you may gift your spot to a friend if you wish.

Nourished by the Farm

Our incredibly talented kitchen team provides a seasonally inspired farm to table experience, featuring our own fresh organic produce. In direct collaboration with our farmers, retreat meals are prepared simply and beautifully to feature the natural flavourful vitality of fresh whole food ingredients. Meals are served buffet style including options for dairy free, gluten free and vegan. This is one of the many things that keeps people returning to retreat year after year. Please note, Stowel Lake Farm is unable to accommodate any additional food requests.

Rooms

Our charming & cozy accommodations are all located close to the main facilities. Well built, beautifully crafted, and maintained. Guests will enjoy clean, comfortable bedding with duvets and towels. The yurts have heat and power and linens provided. If you are tenting, you must bring your own bedding and towels.

Getting To Stowel Lake Farm

Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island is just beautiful.  Check it out here ~

https://www.stowellakefarm.com/aboutus

You are probably travelling by ferry my friends - possibly by bike, foot or car.  If in the event you leave your car behind, we can pick you up and drop you off at the ferry.  We will arrange pick up times one month prior to retreat. Pick up is available at Fulford Harbour only. All other harbours will require your own transportation methods.

Maybe you are travelling from out of country or province? There is also an option to take a float plane from Vancouver as well. If you require assistance navigating, please reach out. Our assistant Jenn Williams will support.

What to Bring

- Bring layered clothes for varying temperatures inside and outside - it can be very hot, raining or cool.

- Swim suit for ocean and lake dips.

- Flashlight

- Journal and pen.

- Hat, sun screen.

- Loose, comfortable and modest clothing.

- Outdoor wear for helping on the farm.

- Darker shades of clothing without logos and print for meditation (black, navy, grey, brown).

We ask that you arrive no earlier or later that the arrival time of 3-5 p.m.  Flights, ferry schedules and shared car rides should be scheduled early enough that they will not impact arriving on time.  Late attendance has a way of delaying settling in for both teachers and attendees. Sometimes guests arrive to Salt Spring Island one day early and stay at another accommodation to settling in and enjoy Salt Spring Island.

Closing circle is a beautiful way of honuoring each other and ends on the last day of retreat at 12 noon followed by lunch. Please book departure times following closing circle.

We ask that you take some time to really consider your ability to attend the full length of retreat, entering, experiencing and commencing all together. 

Silent Illumination This silent period is intended to nourish us through a period of deep listening to our bodies, hearts, minds and the land in the midst of practice.  Silence can be fertile ground for wisdom and compassion and intimate connection. Many people are surprised by their ease with silence, and note the incredible benefit. The first full day of retreat offers an afternoon of convivial speech to orient and connect while we gently ease into the full experience of retreat.

Friday

3-5 pm || arrival

5:15 pm || orientation

6 pm || dinner

7:30 pm || gently entering practice & zazen (orientation)

Saturday

(noble silence)

7:30 am ||  zazen

8:30 am ||  breakfast

10 am ||  zazen/kinhin

11 am ||  Dharma Story

(noble silence ends)

12:30 pm ||  lunch 

1:30 pm || free time

4:30 pm ||  Yoga

6 pm ||  dinner

7:30 pm || zazen & entering noble silence

Sunday/Monday/Tuesday

(full noble silence)

7:30 am ||  zazen

8:30 am ||  breakfast

10 am ||  zazen/kinhin

11:15 am ||  Dharma Story

12:30 pm ||  lunch 

2 pm ||  a generous offering of work practice on the farm

3 pm ||  free time 

4:30 pm ||  Yoga

6 pm ||  dinner

7:30 pm || zazen

8:30 p.m.  ||  closing chants

Wednesday

(noble silence)

7:30 am ||  zazen

8:30 am ||  breakfast

9:30 am || zazen & closing circle (noble silence ends)

11 am || packing up rooms

12 pm ||  lunch & departure