The Middle Way of Partnership - devon & nico hase, IN-PERSON [Sep19ac]

We are excited to offer this retreat as a HYBRID! To register for an in-person ticket, please do so on this page. If you are interested in attending as an Online Attendee, please go to the Online Event Page to register.

To help honour the container of our in-person gathering, we ask you to please commit to attending in-person for the entirety of the retreat if possible. If you are only able to attend a part of the retreat, we encourage you to consider an Online Ticket.

RETREAT DESCRIPTION

The Middle Way of Partnership - A Weekend Retreat on Conscious Relationships
This immersive weekend retreat offers a fresh approach to understanding and nurturing meaningful partnerships through the lens of Buddhist wisdom and contemporary psychology. Rather than pursuing idealized connections or accepting unnecessary struggles, attendees will discover the "middle way"—embracing the inherent challenges of intimacy while cultivating deeper connection, presence, and joy.

Throughout the weekend, we'll weave together teachings, guided meditations, and interactive exercises that address four essential dimensions of partnership:

Deep Listening - Learn how to truly hear yourself and others through mindfulness practices that create space for authentic expression. Discover how the Buddhist understanding of dukkha (stress/dissatisfaction) can transform your approach to relationship difficulties.

Finding Balance - Explore the natural tension between autonomy and connection. Identify your unique patterns and learn how respecting differences strengthens rather than threatens your bonds. Practice recognizing and releasing codependent tendencies that may arise in close relationships.

Skillful Conflict - Develop tools for navigating disagreements with patience and presence. Learn the art of genuine apology and forgiveness. Transform inevitable ruptures into opportunities for deeper trust and understanding.

Cultivating Joy - Unlearn perfectionism and embrace the natural rhythms of intimacy. Discover how awareness of impermanence enhances appreciation. Create simple rituals that bring playfulness and delight into your everyday connections.

This retreat is suitable for everyone interested in more conscious partnerships—whether currently in a relationship or not, whether exploring romantic partnerships, friendships, or family relationships. While rooted in Buddhist principles, no prior meditation experience is required. Come prepared to engage fully through guided exercises, periods of contemplation, and meaningful dialogue.

Participants will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply in their relationships, including meditation techniques, communication practices, and simple rituals to strengthen connection. Join us for a weekend of discovery that could transform your approach to partnership for years to come.

The general schedule (all times are Pacific Time):

Friday September 19: 7:15pm-9pm

Saturday September 20: 9am - 5pm

Sunday Septembert 21: 9am - 3:30pm

GENERAL INFORMATION

Registration: Please register for your ticket on Eventbrite before the start of the event. There will be no registration onsite at the door. If you are unable to register online or have any questions, please contact jess@bcims.org

In-Person COVID-19 Safety Measures: This retreat is planned to have a limited number of attendees. All health guidelines in place at the time of the retreat for group gatherings will be followed and communicated to attendees. Click here for BCIMS' COVID Safety webpage. We encourage attendees to be fully vaccinated including booster vaccinations. We will not be asking for proof of vaccination during sign in. Please do not attend if you have any symptoms of a fever, cough or a cold, or have had recent contact with anyone with COVID.

A mask mandatory event: This event requires all attendees to be masked while indoors, including while seated in the meditation hall.

Sliding Scale Retreat Fees: Fees for this retreat are offered on a sliding scale of $80, $140, and $200 for the full weekend. Please choose the rate you can joyfully offer. We are also offering a small set of Friday Night Only tickets for $40. Note that your registration fee goes toward retreat costs and BC Insight Meditation Society organizational expenses which allow us to continue offering retreats such as this one. Financial support for the teacher is offered separately (see below Teacher Dana).

Teacher Dana: In the Buddhist tradition, teachings are given freely because they are considered priceless; in the Buddhist tradition we also practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings to the teachers. 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. More info on Dana is shared below.

Financial Assistance: No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you require additional financial assistance to attend this retreat please contact jess@bcims.org.

Cancellation/Refund/Ticket Transfer Policy: You may request a full refund up to 24 hours before the start of retreat. Please note there is a $25 non-refundable registration fee. To cancel your ticket, log on to Eventbrite with your email address. Go to your tickets for this event and click on "Request a Refund". Cancellations within 24 hours of the start of retreat will not receive a refund. Transfers: If you have purchased an In-Person Ticket and wish to transfer to an Online ticket, we invite you to please cancel your In-Person Ticket with at least 24 hours notice to receive a refund, and re-register with an Online Ticket. If you request a transfer within 24 hours of the retreat start, the cancellation policy will apply.

Ridesharing: The information collected during registration regarding ridesharing will be shared by email to all interested attendees 7 days prior to the retreat. Attendees are then responsible for connecting directly with each other to make any ridesharing arrangements.

Accessibility: Please visit this UBC website outlining accessibility to the Asian Library, located in the Asian Centre.

Before you go: Information about preparing for the retreat, including what to bring, and safety reminders, are sent to attendees a few days before the start of the retreat. You may also click here to view the information and reminders.

DANA

In-person offering: Envelopes labelled "Dana" will be available at the retreat for you to offer cash dana to devon and nico.

Other options for offering dana: Dana may be offered to devon and nico online via their website. More info will be shared with registrants on retreat.

TEACHER BIO

devon and nico hase

devon + nico hase serve as guiding teachers of the online dharma community Refuge of Belonging. They teach at the Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, and other centers, offer online and in-person retreats, and speak with students in one-on-one sessions. They are the co-authors of How Not to Be a Hot Mess: A Buddhist Survival Guide for Modern Life. Find out more at www.devonandnicohase.com

DETAILED SCHEDULE

Like all phenomena, the schedule is subject to change.

Friday

6:30 - 7:15 PM Check in

7:15 - 9:00 Sit and Dharma Talk

9:00 Evening Session Ends

Saturday

9:00 - 9:45 AM Instruction and sitting meditation (latecomers: please walk)

9:45 - 10:30 Instruction and walking meditation

10:30 - 11:15 Sitting meditation

11:15 - 12:00 Walking meditation, or practice discussion at the front of the hall for new meditators

12:00 PM - 12:30 Sitting

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch

1:30 - 2:00 Sitting

2:00 - 2:15 Dana talk

2:15 - 2:30 Questions and response

2:30 - 2:45 Walking meditation

2:45 - 3:30 Dharma talk

3:30 - 4:15 Walking meditation, or practice discussion at the front of the hall for retreatants A through L

4:15 - 5:00 Guided metta meditation

Sunday

9:00 - 9:45 AM Instruction and sitting meditation (latecomers: please walk)

9:45 - 10:30 Walking meditation, or practice discussion at the front of the hall for meditators M through Z

10:30 - 11:15 Sitting meditation

11:15 - 12:00 PM Walking meditation or practice discussion with Online Retreatants on Zoom with devon and nico

12:00 -12:30 Sitting

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch

1:30 - 2:00 Sitting

2:00 - 2:30 Walking meditation

2:30 - 3:20 Dharma talk / Questions and Response

3 :20 - 3:25 Closing / Dedication of Merit

3 :25 - 3:30 Closing Announcements

With heartfelt gratitude, BCIMS acknowledges we are based in what is now known as Vancouver, BC, the beautiful, traditional, and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, who live on and have stewarded this land for thousands of years.