Cameron's Staff Pick

Spring Renewal Retreat: Exploring Eco-Embodiment as Path to Belonging & Resilience

Name: Spring Renewal Retreat: Exploring Eco-Embodiment as Path to Belonging & Resilience
Start: 2026-05-08
End: 2026-05-10
Location: Dorje Denma Ling
Rating: 5

5.003 reviews

Up to 120 in group

May 8 - 10, 2026

Retreat Highlights

Meditation instruction
Daily talks on mindfulness and meditation
Individual meetings with a meditation instructor
Group discussions
Chanting (optional)

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Josée-Ann

Details of this retreat

Spring is a time of renewal – an opportunity to connect with and honor the qualities of light and life that are emerging around us. By aligning with the flow of spring, we can awaken and inspire our life force. This retreat will gently explore both inner and outer landscapes, fostering a deeper sense of interconnection by grounding in our whole bodies, within a supportive community container.
We will engage in eco-embodiment as a lived experience through practices of mind-body-heart-earth connections. This will include movement, meditation, guided land practice, wisdom teachings, contemplation, silence, mindfulness, and creative exercises that foster curiosity and openness. There will also be ample space for rest, and spontaneous exploration.
Participants are invited to learn and experience a guided thermal cycle-- immersions of hot and cold for all levels of practice, along with community sauna, cleansing plant and tree rituals, and elemental connection, all supporting integration and community as practice. We will enjoy wholesome, healthy meals, explore a nearby waterfall, and honour the pure water of the land by taking it in.
Themes of belonging, resilience, and reciprocity will be explored through exchange and reflection. One of the retreat's intentions is to nourish and prepare the soil of our being, to root and ground ourselves to weather the challenges of our time.
Teachings from Robin Wall Kimmerer, Tricia Hersey, and Thich Nhat Hanh will guide and support the retreat. A brief intake process will be provided, along with optional preparatory study.

Who May Attend
This retreat is open to everyone who is interested in experiencing the benefits of this practice.
Cost
$365 - 625 depending on your lodging choice

Pay in full or a 40% deposit
Click on the Information & Registration button to find the lodging that suits your needs.
Information & Registration

Generosity Policy
We want everyone to be able to attend retreats at Dorje Denma Ling. Read about our Generosity Policy and payment options here:
Generosity & Payment Options

Other Useful Links:
Registration and Cancellation Policy

What to Bring & Expect at DDL

How to Get Here

Schedule

Retreat schedules vary somewhat, depending on whether the program is introductory or advanced. There may be a pre-breakfast practice or activity of some sort, followed by breakfast at 8:00 am.

At 9:15 the main morning practice session begins. There could be talks, meditation, or various physical practices, depending upon the type of retreat.
Lunch is usually around 12:30 -- followed by an extended break. The afternoon session usually begins around 2:30, with tea break around 4:00 and dinner at 6:30. Again, depending up on the type of program, there may be a short evening practice session or a talk. Programs usually end with some sort of simple celebration.

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Dorje Denma Ling

Directions

The Halifax International airport is the just over an hour from Dorje Denma Ling. Information on taxis, shuttles and how to get here by car can be found on our website at this location: https://dorjedenmaling.org/participant-info/getting-here/.

Accommodation

Gyatso Lodge is the main indoor housing. It is simple but clean and comfortable. There separate washroom and shower facilities on each floor. There are also cabins -- some of which are winterized, as well as tents and tent platforms available during the warmer months. Campers use one of two shower houses.

Drala Cabin: Single Occupancy

Nestled in the trees, Drala Cabins are private and quiet. They are also insulated and have electricity and heat. A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building. During the cool season showers in the main building are shared with staff. $150/night Over two weeks = $130/night

Drala Cabin: Double Occupancy

Nestled in the trees, Drala Cabins are private and quiet. They are also insulated and have electricity and heat. These cabins have two twin beds. A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building. During the cool season showers in the main building are shared with staff. $60/night

Gyatso Lodge: Single Occupancy

These rooms have either one or two single beds, shared indoor bathroom facilities, and a shared living room on the first floor. $150/night Single Occupancy

Gyatso Lodge: Double Occupancy

These rooms have two single beds, shared indoor bathroom facilities, and a shared living room on the first floor. $60/night

Wood Cabin: Retreat

These cabins are insulated and have power, no running water. Heater provided in colder months. Shared access to shower house and composting toilets. Bring your own pillow, bedding, sheets and towels. We have extra sets for participants flying in. $90/night single occupancy $30/night second guest

Bring Your Own Tent: Platform Provided

Bring your own tent and use one of our wooden tent platforms. Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex. For tents, wood cabins and huts accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern. No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted. Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses are provided if needed. A shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building that is open July and August. You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. Facilities fee included. If you are traveling by airplane, we can help you out with bedding and towels. $35/night per person

Bring Your Own Tent, RV, Camper, Car/Van Camping: No Platform

Bring your own camper, tent, or RV: no platform provided. Please choose this option if you are sleeping on DDL's property in your own camper, tent, car, or RV. Bring your own tent and use one of our wooden tent platforms. Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex. For tents, Campers, wood cabins and huts accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern. No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted. Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses are provided if needed. A shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building that is open July and August. You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. If you are traveling by airplane, we can help you out with bedding and towels. $20/night per person

Shrine Room Floor: Garuda & Dragon

The shrine room floor is an affordable option for those that want to be inside with electricity. We provide foam mats. Please bring bedding, pillows, sheets, and towels. We do have extras for those flying in. Please let us know if you are in need. Make sure to mark off your gender so you will be placed in the appropriate shrine room. This is a semi-public space and may be used by staff or the retreat during the day. There is a closet to store your belongings during the day. Please choose this option only if you are willing to share space with others, even those who snore. $25/night

Offsite Lodging

Our programs include the option to stay offsite.

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Dorje Denma Ling sits high on a hill overlooking the Northumberland Strait, surrounded by forest and a big sky above. There are 4 meditation halls of various sizes, a simple but comfortable lodge for guests who prefer to be indoors; cabins and tents for those who prefer to camp. The main building houses the Dragon shrine room, a commercial kitchen and dining room. Lovely stained glass art and exquisite Tibetan tankas create an atmosphere of sacredness in this otherwise simple retreat centre.

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Although the kitchen does accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free needs, it does not operate like a restaurant. Our center is known for its variety and wholesome food.

What's Included

Three meals and a snack bar. We have options for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. There are also options for basic dietary sensitivites like gluten and dairy free.
Choice of accommodations: tents, cabins, lodge, or stay locally if you prefer

What's Not Included

Transportation and special diet sensitivies beyond gluten, egg, & dairy, be prepared by bringing your own food to supplement yourself.

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Valeria • Feb 16, 2022

5.0

Verified

(Online) Shambhala Training Level IV: Awakened Heart

It was a great opportunity to complete Level IV online. The zoom format worked perfectly and although we were not physically together, it still gave us a sense of being in community. I highly recommend it.

Lindsay • Feb 16, 2022

5.0

Verified

Winter haiku John McQuade

A lovely series of sharing haiku, with interesting insights re contemplative writing from John, through the dark of Winter. The retreat was also very well run and prepared by Dan. Both are a credit to Dorje Denma Ling. It was much appreciated, thank-you.

Betsy • Feb 15, 2022

5.0

Verified

Deep Resonance - Haiku

I very much enjoyed the class with John McQuade. I felt supported in exploring my own attempts at Haiku and appreciated the depth of knowledge expressed in each class. I found the process of writing Haiku to be deeply supportive in being with this uncertain time.

Spring Renewal Retreat: Exploring Eco-Embodiment as Path to Belonging & Resilience

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Josée-Ann Cloutier

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions