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Clear Sky Retreat Centre

5 Rating
8 reviews
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Why choose Clear Sky Retreat Centre?

Clear Sky is a center dedicated to transformative change for all beings, through an integrated, diverse path of exploration and discovery, encompassing all facets of life.

Clear Sky offers the unique and precious opportunity to engage in a community of open-minded, positive, and motivated individuals who are dedicated to finding clarity and joy in their lives.

With a commitment to a quadruple bottom line, Clear Sky continuously strives to maintain financial, social, ecological, and spiritual sustainability. We are seeking volunteers who are looking for a meaningful and challenging way to contribute while simultaneously committing to their own unfoldment!

Website
www.clearskycenter.org
Founded
2004
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Reviews

Default avatar
June
Canada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime

Powerful, transformative experience

Nov 13, 2023

When I completed the karma yoga program last year, it was the most important, life changing experience that I'd had up until then and I'm in my mid 30s. The teachers and residents are patient, kind and supportive, yet dedicated to your spiritual growth and sharp when encouraging more wholesome habits. Participating in an intensive meditation program in a conscious community is an experience that I highly recommend trying - not only will you deepen your meditation practice, you can also walk away with other important life skills - cooking for 15+ people, mudding a straw bale cabin, marketing and web design, composting and gardening to name a few. There are guaranteed to be challenging moments when you run into your own ego, but with that comes the biggest breakthroughs. Thank you Clear Sky!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you are at all interested in the program, don't wait to contact the team to figure out whether it's right for you :).
Pros
  • Clearer mind and state
  • Meet a great community dedicated to spiritual unfoldment
  • New skills useful for my own business
Default avatar
Aurora
32
Female
Canada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime

Karma Yoga Program

Nov 10, 2023

Clear Sky is a one of a kind place that is dedicated to personal and spiritual development. The teachers and community uphold a high degree of integrity with a focused approach and application of spiritual principals and ethics in daily life. I would recommend Clear Sky and the Karma Yoga program to anyone who is looking to deepen their connection with themselves, other people, and life as a whole. It provides an excellent container and opportunity to develop a consistent meditation practice and learn about different spiritual practices and traditions. Clear Sky is a place where ones willingness to show up for challenge is met equally with the support to overcome it, and to become more fully awake and alive in our everyday experiences.

Default avatar
Ignacio
Male
Canada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime

ClearSky is the place to unfold!

Nov 6, 2023

I did the 3 month intensive program in 2020. It was a challenge but the group, the space, the meditations, the work, the support and care was all there to help me unfold personally and spiritually! Everyone is super supportive at the centre and if community is new to you, as it was to me, I coudn't recommend it more. Try it. I learned so much about myself and confidence level has never been higher after going through the experience. Everything I learned ClearSky was so easily translatable to my everyday life in the city. ClearSky gave me the tools needed to show up in life with clarity, compassion and wisdom. Sure, it was tough but it was totally worth it and I couldn't be more grateful

Pros
  • Food is unreal
  • The teachers and community are beyond supportive, compassionate and caring
  • So much clean air
Default avatar
Brad
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime

Challenge Yourself

May 6, 2019

Clear Sky is a brilliant place to find your edge and extend yourself further.
The people are warm and friendly. The food is healthy and delicious. The landscape is
breathtaking. The routine is fairly rigorous combining meditation and educational programs that stimulate the mind with manual work that strengthens the body. The centre is run in a holistic and sustainable way that promotes well being for people and the planet. The meditation sessions are interesting and effective and they even have a fun night once a week that may comprise of a movie or a game of pool. The Teachings are useful and are delivered in an entertaining way offering great solutions to stay grounded and find more peace, clarity and wisdom. I look forward to returning to Clear Sky in the near future.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Stick with the routine when the going gets tough. The uncomfortable feelings will shift and the inevitable resolution is joyous.
planning session
discussing growth
sunset in the East Kootenays
Default avatar
Maryline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime

Karma Yoga Program Review

Apr 15, 2019

Hi,
If you are thinking to stay at Clear Sky, congrats! This will be a real, down to earth transformative experience. If you are a spiritual seeker that want to understand yourself better to have bigger sense of fulfilment and happiness in your life, this could be the experience that your depth is seeking. The power of this place is all the transformations that people there have made and the commitment of the community to keep high standards of communication, commitment, trust and honesty. People there have made so much work on themselves and can really help you to see clearer and transcend your own unwholesome patterns and they are committed to your growth. That made my experience at Clear Sky the most transformational of all my explorative experiences. There are a bunch of people over there that are ready to shine the light where the darkness crept in. It is not the easiest and relax exploration, I must say, but if you really want to become what you are meant to be, looking at the limiting views of yourself and others is essential and Clear Sky is providing the container for you to see, understand, acknowledge, and heal the parts of you that contribute to suffering. A life time opportunity.
The natural setting is absolutely wonderful and the food is of high quality. You will be involved in a wide range of activities and will have the opportunity to understand better what are your strengths and areas of development. I personally found what I wanted to do for my career through my process at Clear Sky.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I did not think that meditation was so awesome. I discovered that this practice is essential to sustainable living and good mental health. Today, I can see how I am such in a better state and less victim of the ups and downs of life because of my meditation practice.
Read my full story
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Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Maryline Fortier

Program
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime
Maryline Fortier

Why did you choose this program?

When I landed in Alberta after a backpacking trip, I was completely seduced by the rocky mountains and the vibe of western Canada. People were kind, relaxed and connected to the pristine nature at our doorstep.

I was sharing a basement with a man that I did not know; he was a strong meditator. We developed a friendship and what he was telling me about meditation, studying with masters and community living was really resonating for me. I decided that I wanted to experience giving my services to a conscious community without receiving a paycheck back, just food and shelter.

When I saw Clear Sky Center and the Karma Yoga Program on a woofing website, I knew that was my next step :)

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The Karma Yoga Program was all structured to receive and guide me. All that I had to do is to apply to the program. This led to writing a letter of motivation as well as a phone interview with an onsite manager. Once accepted, I had to get there and be ready to learn with an open mind.

The center was well organized to welcome new participants with an amazing learning curriculum and structure to ensure the adaptability of the new students.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I'd say, do your homework. Read the Karma Yoga website page attentively and ask questions. This program is an intensive learning and skill development experience, and not one of leisure in the field (although there is a magnificent land with time to integrate all the incredible teachings on it)!

Make sure you are wanting this kind of immersive experience and are ready to transform who you think you are. You need to know you want spiritual transformation and evolution. You need to know this transformation will happen if you put your heart into it and really seek the truth.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

A day in the Karma Yoga Program starts around 6 - 6:30 am with a group meditation for around 50 mins. After that, there is a communal breakfast where everyone helps to prepare and clean up.

Once brekkie is over, there is usually a group connection where a Karma Yoga contemplation is proposed to guide the day. Teachers onsite are guides to support the discussion. Some specific tasks/projects are assigned to you for the day like cooking, working on the field, cleaning, preparing for retreats, etc. Lunch and dinner are also in the community, lots of time to exchange about self-awareness, mindfulness, new insights, astrology, Dharma, etc. There can be a sit in the evening too.

Some fun nights are in the schedule and you usually have one day off / week.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was freaking out to the idea of traveling alone. I reached a point where I knew I would stay in a cage unless I met this fear, so that's what I did. Going into a meditation center to study and live with a community, I was also afraid to lose «myself» and be obliged to deal with people that I don't like and be stuck. All that happened and it became the best and most transformative experience of my life. Can't recommend it enough :)

Meet your fear. This is the only way you'll realize it's not true and it just holds you back from your true potential and life meaning.

What did you get from this experience?

Freedom.

The realization of mine and others' true potential that is far beyond our imagination. The power of meditation and conscious community is just unrealized unless you really get your teeth into it and taste through real experience.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Michelle Heinz

Program
Meditation Experience of a Lifetime
Job Title
Relationship Manager
Michelle was a co-founding member of Clear Sky, living onsite and running the centre for 8 years. Michelle loves engaging all folks to the community at Clear Sky where learning how to bring greater awareness, heart and wisdom into each moment is enriching and life-changing.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I love living and learning with groups. When you get people in retreats and practicing deeply, all the helpful planning and structures work like a well-oiled machine. This opens up and holds space for people to experience profound shifts and transformations. I have seen people come fractured and lost. I see them leave engaged, alive and strong. I have many of these memories, and they all make my heart sing.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I'm lighter, brighter and happier for one! The biggest gift is that I have a solid meditation practice which serves me daily and keeps me on my game. Professionally, skills I learnt with Clear Sky led me to a professional career which I love. I have a wealth of experience working with others in ways that empower and grow us all.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of our return students left to be an entrepreneurial catering business. Now he is a resident at Clear Sky, running a catering business and creating food products from the food forest at Clear Sky. He shared with me how he has never been around such bright, clear and wise people. He loves to contact and study with the co-founders, trainers and onsite community. He moved his life to the centre where he grows himself, business and Clear Sky. Clear Sky's kitchen and farm have never done better. Win-win!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose the Mindfulness and Beyond Program. It is like a deep 3 month retreat. The power of this length of time is that you can integrate the learnings very deeply into your life. Science tells us that it takes 30 days or more to re-wire unconscious or no longer useful habits. When you are in an environment geared specifically for depth work like this, you can co-create habits that you want. It's a life changer giving you life-skills for your career, relationship and long-term happiness.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Clear Sky is a modern day monastery. In years past, this required devoting your life to solitude. In today's world we can do this with internet, high integrity and world class teaching. Activities at Clear Sky incorporate how to bring deep care and attention into our study, meditation and daily activities- together; in the kitchen, on the farm, online and during play time too. I've never experienced anything like it anywhere else.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The desire to grow, paired with a willingness to listen and look deeply at challenges, is what I think is the key to our success. Many people today feel lonely and crave community. When we come together with shared motivations and goals, this gives us fuel and wisdom to make changes as individuals and as a team. It allows us to change and ride on the momentum of each others energy, making it easier together. It also makes learning way more fun and interesting! That alone is cause to celebrate.