Dates: Monday, June 3, 3:00pm – Sunday, June 9, 11:30am
Sliding Scale: $1800-$800 PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 258R19.
11 CE credits available for $110, for psychologists and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors.

This retreat is close to filling. Please submit an application if you are interested, and know you may be placed on a wait list.

Please note: All scholarship funds, including Young Adult rates, have been allocated for this retreat.

Retreat Description:
“It is that gladness connected with the wholesome that I call an equipment of mind….for developing a mind that is without hostility and without ill will.”
-The Buddha

The Buddha was known as “The Happy One.” However, the teachings often seem to emphasize working with suffering. Joy and happiness can seem frivolous or unspiritual even though joy is one of the Seven Factors of Awakening. In this retreat we will practice with an emphasis on cultivating wholesome states to develop our natural capacity for well-being and happiness. Our own development of well-being and joy then becomes our gift to a troubled world.

The retreat includes silent sitting and walking periods with instructions and practice meetings with teachers, as well as some experiential exercises. This retreat is appropriate for both experienced as well as new/beginning students.

Practices will include:

• Inclining the mind toward wholesome states;
• The power of wholesome intention;
• Mindfulness as appreciation practice (wonder and gratitude);
• Embracing suffering as a path to joy;
• How letting go leads to true freedom;
• Integrity as a foundation for well-being;
• Metta (loving-kindness) for self and others;
• Mudita (sympathetic joy);
• Compassion–the expression of a wise heart;and
• The joy of simply being.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. Health care professionals will be able to incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to clients or patients. Continuing Education (CE) credit available. See below for attendance requirements and more information.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
Based on the content of this program, you will be able to:

• Explain how mindfulness can interrupt confused and negative thinking;
• Utilize the practice of inclining the mind towards the possibility of more joy, in ways that may improve patient care, or reduce burnout;
• Describe a gratitude practice that supports well-being and may be used to reduce challenging experiences such as stress, anxiety, or depression;
• Incorporate the use of the acronym RAIN when working with clients;
• Describe how compassion affects the nervous system;
• Explain to clients how attachment can lead to suffering;
• Integrate the practices of forgiveness, acceptance, and self-compassion in ways that improve patient care;
• Employ techniques to support clients in counter-acting a tendency towards self-judgment and feelings of unworthiness.

Continuing Education content level: Introductory

Dates: Monday, July 1, 3:00pm – Sunday, July 7, 11:30am; 6 nights
Sliding Scale: $1600 – $240, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 266R19.

PLEASE NOTE: The lottery is now closed. Everyone who entered the lottery will be notified of the results by Friday, March 22. If you would like to join the wait list for this retreat, please download, fill out, and return the wait list application.

This retreat is open to all self-identified people of color at all levels of meditation experience.

Retreat Description:
The richness of our histories, with equal parts of brilliance and suffering, joys and sorrows, sheds a light on our abilities to plant and sow the seeds of resilience. The qualities of loving awareness, compassion, and equanimity develop within us the capacity to embody the truth of our inheritance and reframe our future, steeped in the wisdom of the Buddhadharma. Practices of noble silence, as well as stationary, walking and movement meditation will allow us to ripen the possibility of living into the words, “We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams.”

Dharma practice offers us a way to develop a deep and abiding freedom beyond external conditions and changing circumstances. All participants observe Noble Silence throughout the entire retreat. You will be asked to let go and refrain from all your communication and technology devices as well as to refrain from communicating with your fellow practitioners. In addition, participants will be required to attend the entire duration of the retreat; NO late arrivals, early departures or partial attendance.

This retreat is offered at a special reduced rate for all who attend; therefore, no scholarship funding is available. In addition to the registration fees, which only cover a portion of the retreat costs, you are invited to support the teachings and the retreat through the spiritual practice of Generous Giving or “Dana.” Our communities’ practice of generous support has sustained this retreat for 20 years, and is so greatly appreciated by all of our communities. Participants will be invited to offer Dana donations for the teachers, retreat managers and cooks on the last day of the retreat.

Lottery Details:
The lottery will be open for registration from February 4 to March 10. No preference is given to when you apply within this period. All applicants must apply online. Please call us if you do not have access to a computer. No retreat fees will be collected at this time, it is purely registration for the lottery portion of the process.

After the lottery closes, applicants will be notified by email of their status no later than two weeks after the lottery closes; please refrain from calling before this deadline. If you are selected in the lottery, you will be sent an email with a special link to register and pay your retreat fees online. If you end up on a waiting list, you will be notified of your position on the list. ~Thank you for your practice of patience!

Dates: Monday, August 5, 3:00pm – Sunday, August 11, 11:30am; 6 nights
Sliding Scale: $1600 – $700, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 274R19.
Will open for registration on 4/3/2019.

Open to young adults ages 18 – 32.

Retreat Description:
Come practice silent mindfulness and insight meditation for a week within a group of your peers. Give yourself a break from constant over-stimulation and external demands to create a time for greater inner calm, spaciousness, and presence. We will explore radical self awareness and deeper embodiment through the ancient practices of guided and silent sitting, walking, and heart meditations, qigong, practice meetings with teachers, and dharma talks. Over the course of the week, we will extend these practices until the entire day is one of steady, continuous awareness. On the last day of the retreat we practice coming in and out of silence to learn conscious connection with the community around us. This is a fully silent retreat, and we will ask you to turn off and put away all electronic devices.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).

A unique scholarship opportunity — the Hemera Contemplative Fellowship! If you are 18 years of age or older with a commitment to service — serving others through your profession — you should consider reviewing the eligibility for this Fellowship. In general, this Fellowship is for those who are full-time in the listed eligible professions and are new to silent residential retreat practice. Follow this link for more detailed information: Hemera Contemplative Fellowships. ONE scholarship allowed per person, per calendar year.

Dates: Wednesday, August 28, 3:00pm – Monday, September 2, 11:30am; 5 nights
Sliding Scale: $1300 – $600, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 280R19.
Will open for registration on 4/23/2019.

Retreat Description:
This retreat emphasizes quieting the mind, opening the heart, and developing clarity and depth of practice. Traditional instructions will be combined with a spirit of loving-kindness and silent sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, and meetings with the teachers.

Suitable for both beginning and experienced students.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).

A unique scholarship opportunity — the Hemera Contemplative Fellowship! If you are 18 years of age or older with a commitment to service — serving others through your profession — you should consider reviewing the eligibility for this Fellowship. In general, this Fellowship is for those who are full-time in the listed eligible professions and are new to silent residential retreat practice. Follow this link for more detailed information: Hemera Contemplative Fellowships. ONE scholarship allowed per person, per calendar year.

Dates: Wednesday, August 28, 3:00pm – Monday, September 2, 11:30am; 5 nights
Sliding Scale: $1300 – $600, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 280R19.
Will open for registration on 4/23/2019.

Retreat Description:
This retreat emphasizes quieting the mind, opening the heart, and developing clarity and depth of practice. Traditional instructions will be combined with a spirit of loving-kindness and silent sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, and meetings with the teachers.

Suitable for both beginning and experienced students.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).

A unique scholarship opportunity — the Hemera Contemplative Fellowship! If you are 18 years of age or older with a commitment to service — serving others through your profession — you should consider reviewing the eligibility for this Fellowship. In general, this Fellowship is for those who are full-time in the listed eligible professions and are new to silent residential retreat practice. Follow this link for more detailed information: Hemera Contemplative Fellowships. ONE scholarship allowed per person, per calendar year.

Dates: Monday, September 30, 3:00pm – Sunday, October 6, 11:30am; 6 nights
Sliding Scale: TBD, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 300R19.
Will open for registration on 5/29/2019.

Retreat Description:
Nourish your body, mind, and heart in this silent retreat that blends the traditions of yoga and Insight Meditation (Vipassana). Through an integrated flow of meditation in movement and stillness, you discover that what we call “body” and what we call “mind” are different aspects of the same living presence. As you open, relax, energize, and attune your body and nervous system, you’ll learn to sustain these qualities in both your seated meditation and in the rest of your life. You’ll learn skills that can help you stay grounded, centered, and open-hearted as you take your practice off the mat and cushion and into a world that so needs it.

Each day includes meditation instruction and practice; dharma teachings and discussion; meetings with teachers; silent sitting and walking meditation; and mindful yoga practice suitable to all levels of yoga experience and physical ability.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).

Dates: Monday, September 30, 3:00pm – Sunday, October 6, 11:30am; 6 nights
Sliding Scale: TBD, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 300R19.
Will open for registration on 5/29/2019.

Retreat Description:
Nourish your body, mind, and heart in this silent retreat that blends the traditions of yoga and Insight Meditation (Vipassana). Through an integrated flow of meditation in movement and stillness, you discover that what we call “body” and what we call “mind” are different aspects of the same living presence. As you open, relax, energize, and attune your body and nervous system, you’ll learn to sustain these qualities in both your seated meditation and in the rest of your life. You’ll learn skills that can help you stay grounded, centered, and open-hearted as you take your practice off the mat and cushion and into a world that so needs it.

Each day includes meditation instruction and practice; dharma teachings and discussion; meetings with teachers; silent sitting and walking meditation; and mindful yoga practice suitable to all levels of yoga experience and physical ability.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).