written by Philip McAdam
Gabriola Island, Net Loft – June 2025
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the eighth Tibetan Buddhist Retreat led by Lama Losang Samten at the Net Loft, hosted by the Gabriola Ecumenical Society. The first of these retreats was held ten years ago, and this year’s gathering carried a strong sense of reminiscence. There were two years of pause due to COVID. This year, we had 56 people attend.
Friday Evening: Welcome and Warmth
Friday evening began with registration and the joyful reconnection with friends from previous retreats—alongside the opportunity to meet some wonderful new participants.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t signed up for the meal plan—something I soon regretted. The vegetarian meals, prepared by Allie in the beautiful house on the grounds, were reportedly delicious. That evening’s supper featured a fragrant lentil curry accompanied by fresh greens.
After dinner, we gathered for an overview of the weekend’s schedule. Lama Losang opened the retreat with a teaching on Green Tara, delivered in his uniquely engaging style, effortlessly moving between deep philosophical insights and lively, humorous stories from his life and travels. The evening passed far too quickly.
Saturday: Practice, Teachings, and Ceremony
Our day began at 10:00 a.m. with a silent Shamatha meditation, which continued daily throughout the retreat. This quiet hour offered a powerful way to reset and ground our energy for the day.
After a short break, Lama Losang resumed his teachings on White Tara. Listening to him is a rare experience—his childlike enthusiasm paired with scholarly wisdom brings each lesson vividly to life. His talks always leave you with questions to ponder and insights to sit with.
Lunch followed—a simple yet satisfying meal of veggie pâté and fresh greens, again lovingly prepared by Allie.
In the afternoon, Lama Losang introduced us to the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva by Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo. Each practice is composed of just a few concise lines, yet Lama Losang enriched them with translations, stories, and personal anecdotes. A chi gong break midway, led with joy and humour by Nick Halpern, offered a refreshing pause. Even with the two-hour session, it felt as though we’d only scratched the surface—there was still so much more Lama Losang could have shared.
Later in the day, in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Brenda Gaertner, steward of the land where the Net Loft stands, led a beautiful ceremony. It marked the welcoming of a stunning carved and painted cedar canoe by First Nations artist Steven Point to its new home on Gabriola Island. (If you don’t know his work, I highly recommend looking him up, his story is well worth reading.) Dennis Evans also offered a traditional smudge as part of the ceremony.
By then, I found myself needing rest and space to digest the day’s mental and spiritual nourishment. I skipped the evening film screening of Kalachakra: The Dalai Lama’s Gift, though I was told it’s well worth watching.
Sunday: Reflection and Closure
Sunday began, as Saturday had, with silent Shamatha meditation, followed by another chi gong session with Nick.
The final gathering featured a slide show presented by Dennis Evans, showcasing photos from Lama Losang’s travels in Asia with members of the sangha, as well as images from past retreats. We concluded with a closing prayer, bringing the weekend to a gentle and heartfelt end.
