Intellect vs Intuition
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to view all FAQs regarding admission, the venue, and accommodation etc.
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Summer Retreat with Gurudev
June 30 - July 8, 2026
Awaken Your Joy
Art of Living Retreat Centre, Canada
Nature is in full bloom and so is our excitement. Gurudev is coming to the Art of Living Retreat Centre this summer! Join us in the peaceful, sun-lit woods of Québec for a season of renewal. Ease away from the pressure of daily life, find your center, and immerse yourself in an experience of deep rest and radiant joy.
Experience Summer Grace
at Our Peaceful Forest Sanctuary
October 9–13, 2025
Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Québec
Choose Your Summer Retreat
Day & Evening Passes
Planning a shorter visit? Join us for just a day or an evening, and immerse yourself in the transformative energy of the retreat centre.
Note: Children aged 12 and under do not need to purchase a pass.
Join us for a delicious dinner and inspiring evening satsang.
For teens visiting in the evening, this pass includes dinner and satsang
“...inspired me to live a better life”
“Sanyam is the most beautiful course I have ever experienced. It brought me an immense amount of energy and enthusiasm. In the beginning, I had so many questions and complaints in life, but they all disappeared after the course. It was truly transformative and has inspired me to live a better life. I feel like I am born again.”
Course Participant
Ketki
“...more than I could have ever imagined.”
“It was very, very powerful. I gained such a sense of calm, more than I could have ever imagined.”
Max
Course Participant
“...felt balanced, nourishing, and comfortable”
“I’ve been on quite a few silent retreats in the past and this felt more balanced, nourishing, and comfortable than any other retreat I’d been on.”
MIchelle
Course Participant
“
What people are sharing
Accomodations
Rest deeply. Awaken Refreshed.
Our accommodations are designed with simplicity and serenity in mind, inviting rest, clarity, and inward reflection. Nestled in nature, rooms offer a quiet retreat from the distractions of daily life so you can fully immerse in your inner journey.
Choose from cozy shared rooms to private lodging, depending on your preference and availability. Each space is intentionally minimal, allowing the natural beauty of La Mauricie’s forested landscape to take center stage.
*Note: Onsite accommodations are limited and in high demand during retreats. If onsite rooms are full, we recommend booking with the nearby Comfort Inn Shawinigan or a local Airbnb. For those seeking a roommate or ride, see our Support Services section for carpool and offsite lodging forums.
Meals
Nourishment that supports your transformation
All retreat packages include wholesome vegetarian meals, lovingly prepared to support your meditation and wellness journey. From hearty breakfasts to grounding dinners, each dish is balanced, flavorful, and made with care using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Meals are served in a communal setting that invites quiet reflection or shared connection. For those with dietary needs, we offer options such as gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free menus - just let us know when you register.
In between meals, you can enjoy healthy snacks and warm beverages from the Sri Sri Café, open throughout the day for your comfort and convenience.
Meet Gurudev
Gurudev is a global humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace envoy, who has been teaching breath-based meditation techniques for health and well-being for more than 40 years. His approach blends ancient Vedic wisdom with modern sensibility for a new paradigm of leadership and living–a stress-free, violence-free society.
Through Gurudev’s programs, millions of people worldwide have found peace and resilience in the face of adversity, learning not only how to excel in their own lives, but also how to become powerful agents for social change.
Gurudev has thus inspired a wave of volunteerism and service, resulting in the growth of one of the largest volunteer-based organizations in the world, with more than 35,000 teachers and over one million volunteers engaged in service projects in 180 countries.
The Art of Living
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life
The Art of Living Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people live with more ease, purpose, and connection. Founded in 1981 by humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, we've uplifted over 800 million lives in more than 180 countries through practical tools like breathwork, meditation, and stress reduction techniques.
45 Years
of transforming lives
10,000+ Centers
established worldwide
182 Countries
where our programs made a difference
800M+ Lives
touched through our courses & events
45 Years
of transforming lives
10,000+ Centers
established worldwide
182 Countries
where our programs made a difference
touched through our courses & events
800M+ Lives
Enjoy one-on-one Ayurvedic treatments tailored to your constitution and healing needs. Our experienced team is here to support your renewal journey.
Featured In
13 Chem. de l`infinité
Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
QC G0X 1N0, Canada
Phone: +1 819-532-3328
Email: info@artofliving.ca
Awaken
Your Joy
Support Services
Guests travel from all over the globe join us, and we’ve made getting here easy. Whether you're flying into Montreal (YUL), driving in from nearby cities, or looking to carpool, there are options for every traveler. We also offer shuttle services and carpool forums to help you plan your journey with ease.
Childcare July 1-7
Roommate Matching
Access Forum here
Carpool
Access Forum here
Stay in touch
Join WhatsApp Channel for updates
Hotel Shuttle
Daily service from Comfort Inn, Shawinigan
Airport Shuttle
June 30: YUL to Centre
July 7: Centre to YUL
Airport Shuttle
Jun 30: YUL to Centre
July 7: Centre to YUL
This 3-day retreat blends transformational breath-based practices with personalized Ayurvedic treatments for a deeply restorative experience. Learn and experience SKY Breath Meditation, a powerful rhythmic breathing technique supported by over 200 studies for its ability to reduce stress, enhance emotional well-being, and support overall health.
You’ll also be gently guided into the effortless depth of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation, a mantra-based practice that nurtures inner peace, mental clarity, and intuitive awareness. Renew your body and mind in the soothing rhythm of the retreat, and leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more aligned.
Eligibility: Open to all
यो गः कर्मसु कौ शलम् — Skill in Action is Yoga
Sañyam 2 is a specially designed program by Gurudev, integrating the practices of Dhāraṇā (concentration), Dhyāna (meditation), and Samādhi (union). The profound meditations in this program act as keys that unlock siddhis—subtle inner potentials that enhance clarity, intuition, and awareness—guiding you into deeper states of consciousness.
Silence Retreat
June 30-July 8
Withdraw from daily distractions and experience deep rest, inner stillness, and subtle transformation, guided by Gurudev’s signature Hollow & Empty meditations.
Both short and long versions of the silence retreat are available to suit your schedule.
Eligibility: Art of Living Part 1 / SKY Breath Meditation
June 30-July 8
Begin your journey in silence and move into stillness.
This 8-day Full Immersion unfolds in two parts—starting with the Silence Retreat, where the mind quiets, awareness deepens, and the ground is prepared for subtler experiences to blossom. From the depth of silence, transition into Sanyam 2, a rare opportunity to explore higher states of awareness through profound meditations designed by Gurudev. This combined retreat offers a complete journey inward—from stillness to mastery, from rest to realization.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Your retreat experience is fully supported from the moment you arrive. Enjoy nourishing vegetarian meals each day, cozy accommodations (where applicable), and access to serene meditation spaces, all within a peaceful, nature-rich environment. Everything is thoughtfully arranged so you can let go of daily demands and focus inward.
→ They do! Especially during peak programs, onsite lodging is in high demand and often fills quickly. If you miss a spot, no worries - nearby options like Comfort Inn Shawinigan or local Airbnbs (some with added comforts like hot tubs) make excellent alternatives. You'll still be close enough to soak in the full retreat experience.
→ Yes, free parking is available at the main entrance of the retreat centre just off Highway 351. Complimentary shuttles run every 10–15 minutes between the parking area and the Centre daily. Overflow parking will be directed to the nearby Community Center with shuttle service provided.
Since parking spots are limited, though parking permits are not required, please register your vehicle at the time of program registration. This will help us to determine the number of spots required and plan accordingly.
→ Absolutely. We provide childcare for children ages 4–12 whose parents are registered for a program or registered as a volunteer. Kids enjoy creative play, crafts, games, and more—giving parents peace of mind to fully participate in their retreat. Childcare is avaliable from:
> Full immersion or Long Silence: July 1 - 7
> Short Silence: Dec 23-28 July 1 - 3
> Sanyam 2: Dec 20-28 July 4- 7
*A separate registration is required for each child.
→ Yes, we do our best to accommodate dietary needs and preferences. Our kitchen can provide gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options if selected during registration. If you have a severe allergy (such as celiac disease or a serious nut allergy), please email us at info@artofliving.ca in advance. While we strive to meet your needs, we do not operate a fully allergen-free kitchen and cannot guarantee zero cross-contamination.
→ We’d love to have you on the team. Volunteering is a meaningful way to contribute and deepen your experience. Just send a quick message to canada.seva@artofliving.ca, and our team will follow up with next steps.
→ Yes! Ayurvedic therapies can be scheduled in advance, and we highly recommend doing so as spots fill quickly during retreat weeks. You’ll also find Ayurvedic beauty and wellness products available at the Centre.
Book your Ayurveda appointment here
→ If your menstrual cycle is expected to coincide with the Sanyam-2 course dates, we recommend registering for a future program so you can fully benefit from the experience. Should your cycle begin during the course, you’ll need to pause participation in accordance with program guidelines and inform the reception desk as soon as possible.
You’ll receive a course credit to attend a future Sanyam-2 program. No refunds are available for Sanyam 2 course. Please note that accommodation and meal fees are non-refundable and non-transferable once the course begins, as these arrangements are prepaid. We understand that timing can be unpredictable and appreciate your understanding as we do our best to support your journey.
From travel and lodging to food, kids, Ayurveda, and volunteer options - get all the info you need here:
Nature is in full bloom and so is our excitement. Gurudev is coming to the Art of Living Retreat Centre this summer! Join us in the peaceful, sun-lit woods of Québec for a season of renewal. Ease away from the pressure of daily life, find your center, and immerse yourself in an experience of deep rest and radiant joy.
From Burnout to Bliss, Your Summer of Stillness Awaits
Summer Retreat with Gurudev at the Art of Living Retreat Centre, Canada
June 30-July 8, 2026
Experience Summer Grace
at Our Peaceful Forest Sanctuary
Choose Your
Summer Retreat