BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Clear Sky Meditation Centre - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Clear Sky Meditation Centre X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Clear Sky Meditation Centre REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20220313T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20221106T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20230312T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20231105T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20240310T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20241103T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Edmonton BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20270314T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20271107T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230928T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261231T170000 DTSTAMP:20250825T062119Z CREATED:20220205T181428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250825T062119Z UID:14666-1695888000-1798736400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Personal Coaching DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/personal-coaching-online/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Coaching ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-13-at-10.49.12-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250112T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250202T110000 DTSTAMP:20260716T091643Z CREATED:20240829T175029Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T091643Z UID:22571-1736674200-1738494000@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Waking Up & Growing Up: Integral Evolution (Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/integral-buddhism/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2025-PD-courses-Square-IG-Post-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250125T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250125T113000 DTSTAMP:20251208T064831Z CREATED:20241023T164820Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T064831Z UID:23198-1737799200-1737804600@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:FREE WEBINAR: Integrating the Money Shadow in your Spiritual Life DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/free-webinar-integrating-the-money-shadow-in-your-spiritual-life-2025/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Coaching,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2024-Programming-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250215T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250308T120000 DTSTAMP:20250801T154706Z CREATED:20241023T160454Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T154706Z UID:22588-1739613600-1741435200@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Money & Spirituality: Integrating Spiritual and Material (Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/money-spirituality-integrating-spiritual-and-material-online/2025-02-15/ CATEGORIES:Money & Spirituality,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2024-Programming.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250313 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250404 DTSTAMP:20251206T092250Z CREATED:20240225T235112Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251206T092250Z UID:21655-1741824000-1743724799@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Meditation Circle: The Dance of Generosity\, Reciprocity and Collaboration DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-circle-the-dance-of-generosity-reciprocity-and-collaboration/ CATEGORIES:Coaching,Meditation Circle,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250321T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250323T150000 DTSTAMP:20251209T102031Z CREATED:20241128T230819Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T102031Z UID:23142-1742576400-1742742000@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Dharma in the Stars: Integrating Saturn DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/dharma-in-the-stars-integrating-saturn/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Dharma-and-Astrology-Course.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250413T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250504T110000 DTSTAMP:20251209T095630Z CREATED:20250124T184949Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T095630Z UID:23760-1744536600-1746356400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Joy! Fuel for Awakening (Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/joy-online-course/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Joy-Online-Course.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250419T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250517T170000 DTSTAMP:20260310T102712Z CREATED:20250223T004058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T102712Z UID:24046-1745074800-1747501200@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Integrating Mindfulness Spring 2025: Tools for Holistic Living (In-Person or Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/integrating-mindfulness-spring-2025-tools-for-holistic-living-in-person-or-online/ CATEGORIES:Integrating Mindfulness,Online Courses,Special Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Integrating-Mindfulness-Feature-Image.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250508 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250530 DTSTAMP:20251209T103105Z CREATED:20250220T225705Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T103105Z UID:24008-1746662400-1748563199@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Meditation Circle: Sīla - Bringing Relief and Coolness for the Mind DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-circle-sila-bringing-relief-and-coolness-for-the-mind/ CATEGORIES:Coaching,Meditation Circle,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250613 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250623 DTSTAMP:20260307T075323Z CREATED:20241024T232522Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T075323Z UID:22596-1749772800-1750636799@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Vipassana Meditation Retreat in BC Rocky Mountains DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/vipassana-insight-retreat/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2025-PD-courses-Square-IG-Post-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250711T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250713T170000 DTSTAMP:20260307T075608Z CREATED:20250124T040517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T075608Z UID:23732-1752253200-1752426000@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:As the Spirit Moves DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/as-the-spirit-moves-2025/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/As-the-Spirit-Moves-Weekend-Course.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250717 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250808 DTSTAMP:20251209T104846Z CREATED:20250511T202234Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T104846Z UID:24568-1752710400-1754611199@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Meditation Circle: Kṣānti DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-circle-k%e1%b9%a3anti/ CATEGORIES:Coaching,Meditation Circle,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251004T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251005T200000 DTSTAMP:20251001T024844Z CREATED:20250814T133531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T024844Z UID:25834-1759568400-1759694400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:One year anniversary of Qapel's passing DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/one-year-anniversary-of-qapels-passing/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats,Online Courses,Special Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Qapel-Doug-Duncan.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251011T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251011T113000 DTSTAMP:20260310T102020Z CREATED:20240121T232558Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T102020Z UID:21133-1760176800-1760182200@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:From Resentment to Resilience: Honest Communication for Spiritual People (Free Webinar) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/from-resentment-to-an-open-heart/ CATEGORIES:Integrating Mindfulness,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IM-From-Resentment-to-an-Open-Heart-Oct-11-2025-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251025T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251115T120000 DTSTAMP:20260221T054139Z CREATED:20250129T035717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T054139Z UID:23840-1761386400-1763208000@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Integrating Mindfulness Fall 2025: Tools for Holistic Living (In-Person or Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/integrating-mindfulness-tools-for-holistic-living-in-person-or-online/ CATEGORIES:Integrating Mindfulness,Online Courses,Special Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Integrating-Mindfulness-Feature-Image.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251109T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20251130T110000 DTSTAMP:20251212T054646Z CREATED:20250412T221230Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T054646Z UID:24389-1762680600-1764500400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:21st Century Tantra DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/21-century-tantra/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21-Century-Tantra.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251221 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260104 DTSTAMP:20251110T183229Z CREATED:20250704T015406Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T183229Z UID:25092-1766275200-1767484799@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Sangha Christmas Retreat (In-Person & Online Retreat) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/sangha-christmas-retreat/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sangha-Christmas-Retreat.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260101T143000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260101T153000 DTSTAMP:20251217T034539Z CREATED:20251217T031804Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T034539Z UID:26793-1767277800-1767281400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:New Year Special 2026 (In-Person & Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/new-year-special-2026/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Online Courses,Special Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-Year-Talk-Square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260118T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260208T110000 DTSTAMP:20260216T062956Z CREATED:20251110T183109Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T062956Z UID:26460-1768728600-1770548400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Integral Evolution: The Next Frontier (Online Course) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/integral-evolution-the-next-frontier-online-course/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2025-PD-courses-Square-IG-Post-4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260129T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260129T200000 DTSTAMP:20260225T032348Z CREATED:20260210T174220Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T032348Z UID:27821-1769713200-1769716800@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Meditation For Hope And Healing - Local Classes DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-for-hope-and-healing-local-classes/2026-01-29/ LOCATION:Mountain View Therapeutics – Cranbrook\, #204 14 A 13 Avenue South\, Cranbrook\, BC\, V1C 2V3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Meditation Circle,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T113000 DTSTAMP:20250928T223052Z CREATED:20250928T221154Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250928T223052Z UID:26319-1769853600-1769859000@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:FREE WEBINAR: Integrating the Money Shadow in your Spiritual Life DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/free-webinar-integrating-the-money-shadow-in-your-spiritual-life/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Coaching,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2024-Programming-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260214T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260307T120000 DTSTAMP:20260214T091111Z CREATED:20250928T230301Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260214T091111Z UID:26268-1771063200-1772884800@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Money & Spirituality: Integrating Spiritual and Material (Online) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/money-spirituality-online-course-2026/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Coaching,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2024-Programming.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260321T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260321T110000 DTSTAMP:20260315T145014Z CREATED:20260202T051633Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260315T145014Z UID:27430-1774085400-1774090800@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Psynauts Vol 1: Book Launch (Online Event) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/psynauts-book-launch-celebration-online/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Online Courses,Special Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Psynauts-Book-Launch-Square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260327 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260406 DTSTAMP:20260220T020721Z CREATED:20251110T181955Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T020721Z UID:26461-1774569600-1775433599@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Vipassanā Meditation Retreat (In-Person & Online Retreat) DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/vipassana-meditation-retreat-in-bc-rocky-mountains/ CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2025-PD-courses-Square-IG-Post-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T201500 DTSTAMP:20260418T174447Z CREATED:20260210T170647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T174447Z UID:27745-1775761200-1775765700@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Finding Ground: Meditation For Uncertain Times DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-circle-finding-ground-meditation-for-uncertain-times/2026-04-09/ LOCATION:Mountain View Therapeutics – Cranbrook\, #204 14 A 13 Avenue South\, Cranbrook\, BC\, V1C 2V3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Meditation Circle,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260430T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260430T201500 DTSTAMP:20260418T181249Z CREATED:20260210T170647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T181249Z UID:27863-1777575600-1777580100@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Finding Ground: Meditation For Uncertain Times DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-circle-finding-ground-meditation-for-uncertain-times-2026-04-30/ LOCATION:Mountain View Therapeutics – Cranbrook\, #204 14 A 13 Avenue South\, Cranbrook\, BC\, V1C 2V3\, Canada CATEGORIES:Meditation Circle,Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260507T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260507T200000 DTSTAMP:20260429T165659Z CREATED:20260331T232657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T165659Z UID:28640-1778180400-1778184000@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Getting Centered: Connecting To Body Wisdom DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/getting-centered-connecting-to-body-wisdom/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Staying Whole Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettingCentered_StayingWholeSeries_FeatureImage-e1776703744676.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260508T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260510T170000 DTSTAMP:20260507T134622Z CREATED:20250126T231620Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T134622Z UID:23794-1778259600-1778432400@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Meditation for Hope and Healing Retreat DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-hope-healing-retreat/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\, PO BOX 19\, Fort Steele\, British Columbia\, V0B 1NO\, Canada CATEGORIES:Group Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Meditation-for-hope-and-healing-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T150000 DTSTAMP:20260506T234159Z CREATED:20260505T170950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T234159Z UID:29337-1778929200-1778943600@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Come to your Senses: A Day to Practice Deep Mindfulness DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/come-senses-day-practice-deep-mindfulness/ CATEGORIES:Group Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Untitled-design-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260604T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260604T200000 DTSTAMP:20260429T172656Z CREATED:20260422T195048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T172656Z UID:29242-1780599600-1780603200@www.clearskycenter.org SUMMARY:Compassion Without Overwhelm: Feeling Without Collapsing DESCRIPTION:The Kilesas: Freeing the Heart from Obscuring Emotions \n \n \n \n “The power of one person reducing the influence of the kilesas in their life is far greater than one in eight billion — because the effect is so pervasive.”  – Catherine Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We spend a lot of energy learning to manage our emotions — naming them\, regulating them\, communicating them skilfully. That work matters. But Buddhism has always pointed to something underneath it: the kilesas\, the obscuring states of mind that colour how emotion arises in the first place. This retreat continues to build on Sensei’s 2026 teachings on emotional intelligence\, bringing that work to a natural close by looking at the formal Buddhist teachings on emotion. Where this year’s work has helped us recognise and work skilfully with what we feel\, the kilesa teachings show us what’s underneath the feeling. These classic Buddhist teachings offer a direct\, practical remedy for dissolving it at the root. with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | December 25-29\, 2026 Registration Deadline: for both in-person and online please register December 18\, 2026 Keen Practitioner/Early Bird Rate: available until November 20\, 2026 We recommend in-person retreats as the best way to get the most out of your experience. That said\, we recognise that travel is inhibitive for some people and are offering an online option for those outside the region unable to travel here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n focus area \n \n \n \n Buddhist Foundations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n practice \n \n \n \n Kilesas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Duration \n \n \n \n Four Days \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Skill Level \n \n \n \n All \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n format \n \n \n \n In-Person & Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Are the Kilesas and Upakkilesas? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kilesa (Pali; kleśa in Sanskrit) is the traditional term for what are sometimes called the afflictive or destructive emotions — the mental states that cloud the mind and drive unskilful action. Buddhism has long focused on identifying what gets in the way of our well-being\, and working to remove it. The main kilesas are greed\, hatred and delusion — also described as clinging\, aggression and confusion — along with pride and jealousy. Alongside these\, we’ll explore the upakkilesas: subtler defilements that can slip by unnoticed\, or are even celebrated by our culture. Yet even (or especially) unnamed\, they weigh heavily on us\,  quietly disrupting our equanimity and dampening our energy.  The kilesas aren’t personal flaws to feel bad about — they’re universal patterns every human contends with on the path. They shape not just our own lives\, but the society\, systems and world around us. Learning to recognise them clearly\, rather than being run by them\, is central to Buddhist practice. And by working to transform them in ourselves\, we are also bringing healing to the world around us. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "I feel like a whole new world of understanding has opened up for me to explore. The teachings were interesting\, vibrant\, and so very relevant to our lives. Qapel and Catherine Sensei have done a wonderful job at distilling these vast teachings without oversimplying concepts. The teachings were visual\, informative\, and interactive. It was a great and lots of fun!" (Vipassana retreat) \n Jenai L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What We'll Explore \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over four days of teaching\, guided meditation and group inquiry\, we’ll: Learn the main kilesas — greed\, hatred and delusion\, along with pride and jealousy — and the subtler upakkilesas or higher defilements.Explore how this traditional Buddhist map connects with modern emotional intelligence work\, bringing a fresh\, integrated view to classical teachingsDraw on the book “Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?” by Daniel Goleman and the Dalai Lama (Mind & Life Institute)\, and the Upakkilesa SuttaPractice recognising these patterns as they arise\, both in meditation and in daily lifeConsider how reducing these defilements in ourselves ripples outward\, offering a living example of non-duality — healing in ourselves as healing in society and on the planetNew to this year’s series? Working with the kilesas is always relevant\, so you’re welcome to join even if you haven’t taken part in the earlier emotional intelligence sessions this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Schedule \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n For in-person\, please arrive December 25 no later than 5 pm. Formal teaching runs December 26–29\, with classes at 9:30am and 2:30pm each day\, alongside group meditation\, meals and personal practice time. Departure and New Year’s Celebration The last formal retreat class will be 2.30-4 pm Tuesday 29th.  Departures can  begin after this.  However we warmly invite you to stay on after the retreat closes and welcome the new year with our community. We’ll gather on December 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration. When booking\, you can select an option to remain at Clear Sky through January 1 to rest\, integrate the teachings and start the year in good company. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (In-Person)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. For 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. With Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. Since the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Clear Sky \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Located in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  Founded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. In adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n "Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more." \n Maya L. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Costs\n \n\n The teaching itself is offered in the traditional Buddhist way on the basis of Dāna\,  Please see the section About Dāna below. The costs below cover the accommodation\, food and program/admin fees for Clear Sky to operate the retreat. In person cost including meals and accommodation range from CAD $384.30 to CAD $834.30 according to type of accommodation and whether you will stay on for New Year. OnlineCAD $225.00 – Online Course FeeKeen practitioner/Early bird discount available until November 20th.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Dāna\n \n\n Dana: Registration fees cover food\, accommodation and the technology needed to offer the retreat online. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. The dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able Typically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  As we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  Conversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scholarship Application\n \n\n We aim to make our retreats as accessible as possible.  As a centre run entirely by Karma Yoga (selfless service)\, retreat fees only cover food\, accommodation and the equipment required to offer them online. The teachings themselves are offered on the basis of Dāna (pay-from-the-heart).  For some\, this is still a barrier of entry. If you are seeking financial assistance to attend a retreat\, please complete a Scholarship Application form. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food\, Weather\, Accommodation and How to Get Here\n \n\n Click here for details on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  Note: In the unlikely scenario that this retreat is cancelled\, we recommend purchasing refundable travel fares.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cannabis\, Psychedelics and Microdosing\n \n\n We recognize and respect plant medicine as an important part of some people’s spiritual paths.  Please note\, the meditation practice on this retreat is very powerful. Consuming mind-altering substances will detract from your experience and could cause negative side-effects.  We ask that you refrain from microdosing or consuming mind-altering substances during this retreat and in the days immediately following it.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Keen Practitioner/Early Bird & Registration Deadlines\n \n\n IN-PERSON: Please register as early as possible so we can plan for the retreat. Save 10% on fees until November 20th. Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is December 18th\, 2026. ONLINE: We encourage early registration – keen practitioner/early bird discount available until November 20th. December 18th is the final online registration deadline. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for In-Person\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Online URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/compassion-without-overwhelm/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Staying Whole Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/StayingWhole_CompassionWithoutOverwhelm.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR