Exploring Suchness in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere

February 1 - 8, 2025

Join us for a relaxing and transformative meditation retreat in the beautiful setting of a sacred biosphere in Mexico. Inspired by the teachings from Namgyal Rinpoche’s book, Suchness, this retreat is designed to help you explore mindfulness, inner peace, and compassion through simple guided meditations, quiet reflection, and group conversations. Surrounded by nature, you'll have the perfect space to unwind and discover a deeper sense of awareness and calm.


This retreat offers a balanced mix of meditation, travel, and connection with others. It's open to everyone, whether you're completely new to meditation or have some experience. While the retreat includes 48 hours of peaceful silence to encourage deeper reflection, you'll also have plenty of time to relax, learn, and enjoy the warm and inviting environment. Come and experience a retreat that will refresh your mind, body, and spirit in a way that goes beyond a typical vacation.


The teachings are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." The teacher does not receive payment from the retreat centre. This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Meet the Instructor

  • Lama Linda

    Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and studied Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel (Doug Duncan) who is the founder of Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Centre in Cranbrook, BC. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. She loves to weave together her Buddhist practices with Western psychotherapeutic practices to help students make transformative changes in their lives. www.lindahochstetler.com.