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SAHAJ SAMADHI MEDITATION
An effortless meditation technique that infuses the mind with peace, clarity and creativity.
Meditation for the busiest of minds
Happiness can seem elusive at times, a distant dream, or so fleeting you wonder where it went. The mind swirls around, crammed with thoughts. Disconnection and stress easily become the norm.
In today’s society, it is more important than ever to gain tools to connect to the wellspring of calm and peace within you, in the here and now. And that’s what meditation does. It gives you access to the stillness that resides deep within, a place that is steady, at ease, clear, and relaxed regardless of what’s happening around you. Science is now showing us what ancient yogis knew thousands of years ago, meditation works. And what’s even better? Anyone can meditate, even the busiest of minds!
Globally celebrated meditation master, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will share with you ancient techniques for contemporary life, to enable you to fill up from the inside so when the inevitable challenges of life arise, your connection to the fullness, and steadiness within, remains.
Knowing how to manage the mind is fundamental to inner peace, joy, and a centered state of mind. When the mind is calm, everything in life gets sweeter—relationships improve, stress is reduced, mood lifts, and there is a greater sense of ease and joy each day.
Meditation
The Doorway to Happiness
“People search for joy everywhere not knowing that the Self is the source of all joy.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
“People search for joy everywhere not knowing that the Self is the source of all joy.”
Intellect vs Intuition
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to view all FAQs regarding admission, the venue, and accommodation etc.
13 Chem. de l`infinité
Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
QC G0X 1N0, Canada
Phone: +1 819-532-3328
Email: info@artofliving.ca
From the Art of Living
with techniques featured in
This Special Offer Won’t Last Long!
Tap into a time-tested technique practiced by thousands all around the world. You’ve tried everything to help you sleep, why not give VAST a try.
What do you have to lose?
Just you. The trees. And your breath.
Blossom into Bliss
In just 3 days you can:
43 Years
of transforming lives
10,000+ Centers
established worldwide
182 Countries
where our programs made a difference
800M+ Lives
touched through our courses & events
43 Years
of transforming lives
10,000+ Centers
established worldwide
182 Countries
where our programs made a difference
touched through our courses & events
800M+ Lives
Enjoy an inspiring retreat in our serene forest sanctuary.
Explore the Canadian
Art of Living Retreat Center
“...inspired me to live a better life”
“Sanyam is the most beautiful course I have ever experienced. It brought me an immense amount of energy and enthusiasm. In the beginning, I had so many questions and complaints in life, but they all disappeared after the course. It was truly transformative and has inspired me to live a better life. I feel like I am born again.”
Course Participant
Ketki
“...more than I could have ever imagined.”
“It was very, very powerful. I gained such a sense of calm, more than I could have ever imagined.”
Max
Course Participant
“...felt balanced, nourishing, and comfortable”
“I’ve been on quite a few silent retreats in the past and this felt more balanced, nourishing, and comfortable than any other retreat I’d been on.”
MIchelle
Course Participant
“
What people are sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
→ These retreats take care of everything for you—from three delicious meals a day and comfortable accommodations to a peaceful, supportive setting—so you can dive deep into your experience. Everyday distractions and stresses are left behind, enabling an immersive meditation journey and connection to a like-minded community.
→ Yes! When Gurudev is in town, our accommodation options sell out fast, so you’ll want to be quick. Once our onsite accommodations are sold out, you can book with a nearby hotel, Comfort Inn Shawinigan. Alternatively, there are many Airbnb options available in the surrounding area too—some with hot tubs included!
→ We welcome thousands of local and international guests each year, and we have multiple transportation options available for you! From driving, to carpooling, to flying, and more.
>> Click here to explore your transport
>> Click here to join the carpool forum
Shuttles
YUL Airport to AOL Shuttle March 22, 2025
AOL Centre to Airport March 27, 2025
Daily Shuttle Hotel - AOL Retreat Centre-Hotel
→ A large parking lot is located beside Highway 351. For your convenience, complimentary shuttles from your parking location to the Centre and back will be available in short intervals during peak hours between 8 am - 10 am and 4 pm - 7 pm. Outside of peak hours, please come to the main entrance of the ashram and request a shuttle to escort you to the lot.
→ Our child daycare offers fun-filled creative activities designed to engage young minds and spark imagination. From arts and crafts to interactive games, children enjoy a playful and enriching environment each day. This free service is exclusively for parents registered for programs.
Ages: 4-11
Dates: March 22-27
Times: 7 AM - 6 PM daily
Please fill out a separate form for each child here.
→ Of course! If you require a special-needs menu, please select this option when registering for your course. We can provide gluten-free, vegan and nut-free meals.
If you have celiac disease, a severe nut allergy, or any other special dietary requirement, please write to us at info@artofliving.ca. We do not have a separate kitchen for severe allergies, and we unfortunately cannot guarantee that there will be no cross contamination.
→ That’s great! Please send an email to info@artofliving.ca and our team will be in touch.
→ Absolutely! You can find more details to book your Ayurveda appointment here. Spots are limited so act fast! We’ll also have a variety of Ayurvedic beauty and wellness products available for purchase.
This spring, join your community at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Québec, Canada, for a unique opportunity to deepen your practice in Gurudev’s presence. Explore our curated packages and courses below. We look forward to welcoming you!
Eligibility: Art of Living Part 1, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation™ & Art of Living Part 2
Discover our packages
In the heart of the breathtaking forests and waterways of La Mauricie, our retreat center provides a haven for stress relief and wellness with a rustic quiet that soothes the soul. We offer life-changing retreats alongside comfortable rooms, dedicated meditation spaces, and restorative Ayurvedic wellness treatments. Our commitment extends beyond your stay, with post-retreat support and research-backed practices designed to help you dive into a space of deep calm—and stay that way.
Meet Gurudev
Gurudev is a global humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace envoy, who has been teaching breath-based meditation techniques for health and well-being for more than 40 years. His approach blends ancient Vedic wisdom with modern sensibility for a new paradigm of leadership and living–a stress-free, violence-free society.
Through Gurudev’s programs, millions of people worldwide have found peace and resilience in the face of adversity, learning not only how to excel in their own lives, but also how to become powerful agents for social change.
Gurudev has thus inspired a wave of volunteerism and service, resulting in the growth of one of the largest volunteer-based organizations in the world, with more than 35,000 teachers and over one million volunteers engaged in service projects in 180 countries.
About us
Align with your inner nature
4-day Silent Retreat, Sanyam, Yoga Sutras
Patanjali Immersion
March 27-April 6
Sanyam, Yoga Sutras
Patanjali Sanyam
March 30-April 6
9-day Silent Retreat, Yoga Sutras
Patanjali 9
March 27-April 6
6-day Silent Retreat, Yoga Sutras
Patanjali 6
March 30-April 6
Register by March 20 to SAVE up to $300!
Discover our programs
The Art of Living is a nonprofit, educational, and humanitarian organization that helps individuals bolster mental wellness, relieve stress, and build resilience through evidence-based techniques and training. Since its inception in 1981, the Art of Living has touched the lives of more than 800 million people around the world.
Eligibility: Art of Living Part 1, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation™, 2x Art of Living Part 2
Accomodations
Open your door to birds singing, trees swaying, and a fresh forest scent. Our rooms are intentionally minimal to support your inward journey. You’ll have a quiet, humble space to get the rejuvenating rest your body is craving.
Prices vary based on the lodging selected. To book, you can select your accommodation at the checkout page. On-site options are in high demand and sell out fast during Gurudev's events. Please see our FAQ section for alternate lodging recommendations.
Onsite accommodation waitlist.
Daily pass options
Food
Planning a brief visit? Discover our daily pass options. We recommend booking ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
Immerse yourself in our daily rhythm with meals, noon meditation (when available), and evening satsang.
A full day of enriching experiences, including meals, noon meditation (when available), and satsang.
For teens visiting in the evening, the evening pass includes dinner and satsang.
Note: Children aged 12 and under do not need to purchase a pass.
Three meals per day are included in your package, beginning with dinner the day of your arrival through breakfast on the day of your departure. The center serves a delicious range of healthy, vegetarian cuisine. We also have snacks available for purchase throughout the day at the Sri Sri Cafe.
Blossom into Bliss
In the heart of the breathtaking forests and waterways of La Mauricie, our retreat center provides a haven for stress relief and wellness with a rustic quiet that soothes the soul. We offer life-changing retreats alongside comfortable rooms, dedicated meditation spaces, and restorative Ayurvedic wellness treatments. Our commitment extends beyond your stay, with post-retreat support and research-backed practices designed to help you dive into a space of deep calm—and stay that way.
Just you. The trees. And your breath.
This spring, join your community at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Québec, Canada, for a unique opportunity to deepen your practice in Gurudev’s presence. Explore our courses below, and enjoy an inspiring retreat in our serene forest sanctuary. We look forward to welcoming you!
How do we find inner peace in troubled times? How can we find contentment that does not rely on anything outside of us? We all have those questions about life, maybe even death, and everything in between—but where can we find those answers? In a world spinning with unknowns, Gurudev provides an anchor. He is a world-renowned spiritual teacher that’s rooted, calm, and steady, answering the deepest of questions with an assured lightness. You’ll walk away feeling centered, with a confident knowing, inspired to live your best life.
Eligibility: Open to all.
(includes access to centre, Wisdom & Meditation,
Satsang & three meals)
Join us for a delicious dinner and inspiring evening satsang.
For teens visiting in the evening, this pass includes dinner and satsang
Meet our Sri Sri Ayurveda Team
Ready to Support You in Your Healing During Gurudev's March Canada Visit
at Sri Sri Ayurveda Canada Centre
Dr. James Stone
Offering Meru Chikitsa - Creating spinal energy waves
Dr. Kamini Karir
Offering Iridology - Holistic Eye Analysis
Egle Uzusienyte
Offering Ayurvedic Facials - Holistic Skin Care
Elise de Villiers
Offering Jyotish Consults - Vedic Astrology Readings
Saroj Sund
Offering Indian Head Massage, Marma & Pain Management Bastis
Stefy Roncancio
Offering Meru Chikitsa & Ayurvedic Pain Managament Therapies
Cathryn Clark
Offering Abhyanga Massage, Shirodhara, Marma & Pain Managament Therapies
Sumit Malik
Offering Swedish Massage & Marma Therapy