TRANSCENDENT SOUND: A healing journey on the contemplation of the five elements through sound, the healing power of nature and the creative arts.
Sound has been used as a healing tool throughout all cultures around the globe to bring communities together, to help raise energy and to dive deeply into the inner journey for personal healing. The transcendent sound experiences you will be introduced to throughout this retreat have been designed to support and deepen your own inner personal healing journey and appreciation of your own gifts.
We will also be surrounded by the natural beauty of the land the Dharma Center resides on. Nature’s beauty and wisdom has inspired and influenced all aspects of our lives through the arts, language and ceremonies. Whether walking through the forest, feeling the wind as it dances around you or listening to music inspired by nature, these experiences can bring a renewed sense of self-awareness, inner strength and fortitude that can bring more balance into our lives.
Just as Buddhist temples are designed to symbolize the five elements, this retreat will focus on the importance of both the internal and external nature of our bodies as experienced through these five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Your facilitators will encourage you to expand your awareness and harmonize your relationship with all of nature, both within yourself and all around us. It is with this full awareness of both our inner nature and the outer nature around us that we can engage and be fully present in the moment and in our lives.
Throughout this retreat you will have a chance to explore creative ways of incorporating the five elements into your own personal practice through the use of music and an exploration of the arts including ritual, meditation, drawing, creating personal mandalas, journaling and self-directed movement. All can be used to deepen one’s meditative practice.
Participants list of materials to bring:
Writing materials for journaling.
Larger drawing paper sheets (if preferred), colouring pencils/crayons for mandala drawing.
Bring a meaningful article to be placed and energized on the Altar of the Elements for the weekend.
Any favourite small sound making instruments.
Participants may want to bring along their favourite yoga mat/pillow/blanket to be extra comfortable for the journey work.
Self-directed movement will be encouraged. For those who want to move please wear comfortable clothing.
Your guides through this journey are Steven Gellman and Ann-Marie Boudreau.
Steven Gellman is a composer, pianist and meditator. He is a professor (Emeritus) of music at Ottawa University. He has been teaching meditation for over 20 years in both Theravadan and Vajrayana meditation traditions. His musical journey has been nourished by a 40 year meditation practice. Many of his compositions reflect his deep connection to the spiritual life. Steven's gentle presence and depth understanding of the healing power of sound offers participants the opportunity to discover their own inner source of music. To read more about Steven and listen to his music go to his web site: www.stevengellman.com/
Ann-Marie Boudreau, ARCT, trained as a classical Concert Pianist with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. She is a Sound Therapist, multi-instrumentalist, improvisational and intuitive vocalist, Reiki Master, composer, recording artist and painter. Throughout her world travels, explorations and studies Ann-Marie has also explored her interests in ethnic instruments from across the globe and is adept at performing on a wide range of instruments; the Indian sitar, European hang and African Ngoni being unique to her repertoire. Ann-Marie was on the faculty of the Transformational Arts College for 10 years (2006-2016) where she taught their sound healing programs. Ann-Marie also dived deeply into the TAC Spiritual Director program teaching in the areas of Ritual and Living & Dying Consciously. Co-Founder of the Music Can Heal Organization, Ann-Marie has spent many years bringing her music and compassionate care to her bedside work in hospices, hospitals, residences and palliative care facilities: www.musiccanheal.org Ann-Marie encourages everyone she meets to live fully in the present, as well as move inwards more deeply. “In our effort to communicate with the larger part of life we can lose touch with our natural ability to express ourselves”.
Important Details
When: April 26-29, 2024
Rates: $414 - non members $375 - members
(To find out how to become a member please visit our membership page)
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Steven and Ann-Marie are sharing their experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy:
All cancellation are subject to a fee of $100. These funds will support other low income practitioner (Practitioner Support Fund).
Loss of 50% of deposit if cancel within 14 days ( = 25% of the retreat cost) – Funds to go into the Renewal Project (Buildings Renewal Fund)