Solo Retreats
Bethlehem Centre is a sacred place for you. With quiet spaces, healthy, nourishing food, simple accommodations and sprawling gardens on the shores of Westwood Lake at the foot of Mount Benson, it’s a destination for those looking for a quiet sojourn. Whether you stay a couple of nights, a week, or longer, consider your retreat in nature today.
Taking time to go inward is an important practice in any spiritual journey. Whether you are thinking of taking a sabbatical, time to heal, or you merely need a few days of retreat & peaceful reflection, the Centre’s grounds offer a sacred place in nature for that journey and let individuals just be with what is.
Spiritual Accompaniment
If you are looking for guidance on your spiritual path, we have a number of spiritual directors from a variety of backgrounds available (via zoom, phone and in person) for one on one accompaniment.
Visit our Spiritual Directors page to explore the roster of companions and learn more how to book a session in advance.
A Day in the Life of a Retreatant
Retreat comes from the Latin verb “to pull back.” So, retreat, is a place where you pull back from the world, find inspiration, unplug, break unhealthy habits or routines, and delve deeper into self. With so many ways to enjoy your time, here are some ideas to envision your time.
After settling into your guesthouse room, you may like to explore the grounds and facilities: the reflective pond, the outdoor walking labyrinth, the chapel, and the small meditation room (downstairs in the Main House).
After a nourishing meal and before retiring for the evening, have a look through the spiritual lending library and the finger labyrinth museum (in the Oak Room), where you can relax with a new book in a comfy chair or grab a yoga mat to stretch. The gardens are a perfect place to read, watch the sun go down, and season permitting, pick some blueberries or raspberries for a snack. There are many meditative spots you can visit for your spiritual practices.
At any time during your stay, feel free to make yourself a cup of coffee or tea (in the Main House foyer, by donation).
The morning is a beautiful time to uncoil your spirit with a walk on the labyrinth, an ancient meditation tool, and a symbol of your personal journey and spiritual renewal.
Enjoy a stroll through the sanctuary of the grounds, along the lakeshore or around Westwood Lake trail loop, where you’ll find bluffs (just off the trail) with a spectacular view of the lake and Mt. Benson.
In the afternoon, you might like to schedule a meeting with a spiritual companion, to explore questions and insights that emerge during your stay. Then you may like to do some journaling on your own to capture some of the insights from your conversation.
The Centre Shop is generally open daily and full of fair trade items, locally made gifts and a few things for your comfort while at the Centre.
On the day of your departure, your last meal is lunch. While you will need to have your belongings out of your room by 10AM, please feel free to stay and enjoy common areas (including your lounge and the property).
Learn more about preparing for a stay at Bethlehem.
Important Times
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Arrive & Check-in
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Dinner
9:00 pm – 7:30 am | Quiet time
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
12:00 – 1:00 pm | Lunch
Centre Shop Hours | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Check out | 10:00 am
Every day I meditated in the chapel, walked the labyrinth, and several days walked around Westwood Lake.
I even swam in the lake the past two glorious days. I feel blessed!
I’ve had four days in this loving atmosphere to go deeper and to reconnect with the divine energy and beauty within and all around.
This is a beautiful centre – surrounded by magnificent creation – conducive to healing which is what I was seeking.
I love the little chapel in the basement…it feels so safe and secure.