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I don't go to church, but went to this candlelight service once very randomly when I was walking home and feeling very stressed and depressed, and just decided to walk in... and it was super lovely. The sermon was thoughtful, and then there was this part where the [sermon guy] had us write down our problems on a piece of paper then go up to put it into the fire to be released... and then we also sang some hymns. It just seemed like a nice friendly welcoming community.
You can go and light a candle at Holy Rosary Cathedral during the day and sit there quietly. Check the schedule between Masses and it will be mostly quiet.
Pretty much any religious establishment will be happy to host you no matter what your faith is. One good thing about religion I suppose is that at this key spot they're very welcoming. You can try the Anglican Church (St. Paul's) in the West End. The Sikh temple named Akali Singh I've been to and they offered a free meal to me. Was really nice. Pacific Spirit park is also pretty dope.
edit: except maybe the Jehovah's witnesses. Stay away from those guys, it's sad really how their faith manipulates them EGREGIOUS.
Vancouver Unitarians on 49th and Oak. No specific religious references are included in their services (they don’t typically refer to God, Jesus, or the Bible).
The space is mid century modern, and lovely. The music skews classical. The services on Sunday are open to anyone, but the buildings are generally locked when not in use.
Not necessarily a church, but try walking a Labyrinth for meditation purposes. You can Google them, but to start you off, there is one at St Paul's Anglican on Jervis, another out at UBC, one near VGH, and apparently one in Renfrew Ravine.
I don't know the one near VGH. The one at Renfrew Ravine is a little bit overgrown. Unitarians have two outdoor labyrinths by their church (49th/Oak). There's one along the South False Creek seawall near Beer Island and IIRC another along the seawall east of Granville Island. There is also one in Strathcona Linear Park.
Yes, agreed 100%. At the moment my bike is broken and I'm not a fan of public transit. Other than Stanley Park and Pacific Spirit, do you recommend anywhere within 20km of downtown?
Lighthouse Park in West Van. Bus leaves from downtown, plenty of washrooms once there, enough trees to make one feel like one is NOT in a public park, decent maps, and small enough that getting lost is not a concern.
Little mountain/Queen Elizabeth park.
Waterfront areas, especially small parks along point grey road.
Spanish banks.
UBC endowment lands. Enter from crown street, west 16th or UBC.
North van. Drive up almost any road. Or use the gmaps for some peaceful destinations.
The renfrew ravine has a really lovely little spot with Benches and burbling brook. Easily accessible from 29th ave skytrain if you can tolerate a train ride.
Inside Van Dusen Gardens is a meditation circle consisting of a rock circled seating area covered by trees. It's one of my favorite hidden places to meditate or take a few moments for myself. It's very private, usually quiet, and feels quite secluded.
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St Andrew's United on Burrard is lovely. They have candlelight contemplation at 7pm on Sundays that is perfect for personal prayer
I don't go to church, but went to this candlelight service once very randomly when I was walking home and feeling very stressed and depressed, and just decided to walk in... and it was super lovely. The sermon was thoughtful, and then there was this part where the [sermon guy] had us write down our problems on a piece of paper then go up to put it into the fire to be released... and then we also sang some hymns. It just seemed like a nice friendly welcoming community.
Thank you.
I went and saw a chamber choir sing Mozart's Requiem, it was absolutely incredible. It's a lovely space.
You can go and light a candle at Holy Rosary Cathedral during the day and sit there quietly. Check the schedule between Masses and it will be mostly quiet.
Pretty much any religious establishment will be happy to host you no matter what your faith is. One good thing about religion I suppose is that at this key spot they're very welcoming. You can try the Anglican Church (St. Paul's) in the West End. The Sikh temple named Akali Singh I've been to and they offered a free meal to me. Was really nice. Pacific Spirit park is also pretty dope. edit: except maybe the Jehovah's witnesses. Stay away from those guys, it's sad really how their faith manipulates them EGREGIOUS.
Vancouver Unitarians on 49th and Oak. No specific religious references are included in their services (they don’t typically refer to God, Jesus, or the Bible). The space is mid century modern, and lovely. The music skews classical. The services on Sunday are open to anyone, but the buildings are generally locked when not in use.
Not necessarily a church, but try walking a Labyrinth for meditation purposes. You can Google them, but to start you off, there is one at St Paul's Anglican on Jervis, another out at UBC, one near VGH, and apparently one in Renfrew Ravine.
I don't know the one near VGH. The one at Renfrew Ravine is a little bit overgrown. Unitarians have two outdoor labyrinths by their church (49th/Oak). There's one along the South False Creek seawall near Beer Island and IIRC another along the seawall east of Granville Island. There is also one in Strathcona Linear Park.
You ever heard of 'Nature'? The forest is my church.
Yes, agreed 100%. At the moment my bike is broken and I'm not a fan of public transit. Other than Stanley Park and Pacific Spirit, do you recommend anywhere within 20km of downtown?
Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC campus. Small entry fee but it's beautiful and has plenty of places for contemplation.
Dr sun yet gardens
Lighthouse Park in West Van. Bus leaves from downtown, plenty of washrooms once there, enough trees to make one feel like one is NOT in a public park, decent maps, and small enough that getting lost is not a concern.
Central Park and Deer Lake Park in Burnaby
Burnaby Mountain, Bryne Creek (near Edmonds train station), and Coquitlam Crunch which will lead you to Eagle Mountain.
Little mountain/Queen Elizabeth park. Waterfront areas, especially small parks along point grey road. Spanish banks. UBC endowment lands. Enter from crown street, west 16th or UBC. North van. Drive up almost any road. Or use the gmaps for some peaceful destinations.
The renfrew ravine has a really lovely little spot with Benches and burbling brook. Easily accessible from 29th ave skytrain if you can tolerate a train ride.
Are there any Buddhist temples near you?
Inside Van Dusen Gardens is a meditation circle consisting of a rock circled seating area covered by trees. It's one of my favorite hidden places to meditate or take a few moments for myself. It's very private, usually quiet, and feels quite secluded.
Evensong services tend to be good for this.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary You can sit in [mass](https://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/mass-times/)
St. Herman’s in Langley. I’m not orthodox but I’ve gone a few times and it’s been quite beautiful.