Meditation for Hope and Healing
With Maureen Smith & Dean Nicholson
Do you find yourself stressed by all the troubling news that bombards us every day? Are you experiencing anger, anxiety or hopelessness, and not sure what you can do to make a difference?
Then join us for a weekend retreat grounded in the time-honored compassion practices of the Himalayan Buddhist traditions. Compassion, for ourselves and for the world, is a powerful force that helps heal the hurts and wounds, and gives us the confidence that we can be agents of action for positive change. Set within the natural sanctuary of Clear Sky Retreat Center, the retreat offers space for deep meditation and inner renewal.
Through these ancient practices, we explore compassion not as an abstraction, but as a living force that transforms both ourselves and our world. Using traditional visualization techniques, we connect with the healing energy of loving-kindness, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our being.
This retreat is an invitation to discover how authentic compassion creates the world we long for—one rooted in hope and healing rather than division and despair. We will work with visualization, meditation, mantra and contemplative practices that have guided practitioners for centuries.
Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, this weekend offers precious time to step away from daily demands and reconnect with your innate capacity for kindness. Held by the natural beauty of this place and the support of community, you’ll discover how these time-honored practices illuminate a path toward genuine transformation—for yourself and all beings.
This retreat will be led by Maureen Smith (MSW, RCSW) and Dean Nicholson (MA, RCC), psychotherapists and Buddhist meditation practitioners.
They are devoted students of Catherine Sensei, cofounder of the Clear Sky Meditation Center, and they have made Clear Sky Meditation Center their home for 20 and 10 years respectively.
Both are experienced teachers who bring decades of clinical counselling experience together with deep personal practice.
Through their work at Alive Mindfully, they support people in living richer lives of meaning, joy and purpose, drawing on meditation, counselling, and connection to the natural world.
Their teaching is grounded in genuine practice and a commitment to awakening in relationship with community and the land.
Course Details
- Location: Clear Sky Meditation Center, 3567 Cockell Road
- Date: May 8 -May 10, 2026
- Time: 5:00pm Friday -5:00pm Sunday MT
- Cost: Premium Private Cabin – $576, Private Cabin – $546, Shared Room – $446, Tenting – $326
FAQs
What is the Meditation, Hope & Healing Retreat?
The Meditation for Hope and Healing Retreat is a weekend program grounded in time-honored Himalayan Buddhist compassion practices. It offers guided meditation, visualization, mantra, and contemplative practices to cultivate hope, healing, and inner renewal in a supportive retreat setting.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for anyone feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or hopeless due to current events or personal challenges. It is open to both new and experienced meditation practitioners seeking renewal and reconnection with compassion.
What can I expect to experience there?
Participants will engage in meditation, visualization, mantra, and compassion practices within the natural sanctuary of Clear Sky Meditation Center. The retreat provides space for deep reflection, inner healing, and supportive community connection.
How does meditation support healing?
Through traditional compassion and loving-kindness practices, meditation helps heal emotional wounds, build resilience, and reconnect participants with their innate capacity for kindness and positive action.
Will this retreat help with grief, loss, or burnout?
The retreat is designed to support those experiencing stress, anxiety, anger, or hopelessness. By cultivating compassion and inner stability, it offers tools that can help participants navigate emotional challenges with greater strength and clarity.
How long is the retreat?
The retreat runs from 5:00 pm Friday, May 8, 2026, to 5:00 pm Sunday, May 10, 2026 at Clear Sky Meditation Center.
Is prior meditation experience needed?
No. The retreat welcomes both beginners and experienced practitioners.
What results can I expect?
Participants can expect renewed hope, deeper compassion, emotional steadiness, and a stronger connection to their capacity for kindness and positive change.
How will this retreat support emotional well-being?
Through compassion-based meditation practices, supportive community, and time in nature, the retreat fosters emotional healing, resilience, and a sense of meaningful connection to oneself and the world.