A Year to Live (YL6T25)

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Teaching Team:

Vinny Ferraro (Lead), Frank Ostaseski, and Pam Dunn.

Description

This yearlong journey, inspired by Stephen Levine’s A Year to Live, is a heartfelt invitation to people of all ages, at any stage of life. Together, in the spirit of community, we will explore how contemplating death can profoundly deepen our experience of living.

In our modern world, where we often shy away from the reality of our mortality, we rarely pause to consider the preciousness of each moment. The Buddha encouraged us to reflect on death, not out of fear, but as a way to awaken to the fleeting beauty of our lives. By embracing this practice we come to appreciate the fragility and impermanence of our existence.

This program is a yearlong exploration of forgiveness, gratitude, and letting go. Through guided meditations, thoughtful inquiry, and intimate group discussions, we will support each another in discovering what death has to teach us about life and vice versa. Your presence and participation are warmly welcomed as we embark on this transformative journey together.

Program Includes

• Format: Online via Zoom (Basic Zoom skills needed to participate)
• Teachings: Monthly (12) large group sessions (attendance at 10 of 12 live session required; this must include the first session)
• Community support: Monthly (12) self-facilitated, self-hosted Home Groups that meet in between large group sessions. They will be assigned by Spirit Rock. Each group will determine a time/day that works for everyone during the January large group session. These Home Groups are (required!).
• Home practice: Guided meditations, readings, reflections (estimated 5-7 hours/month + monthly Home Groups + daily meditation)
• Access: Video and audio recording access for 1 year after program ends
• Q&A sessions: Monthly, optional, recorded

IMPORTANT! If you are unable to make this Participation Commitment at this time, please wait and join us for a future iteration. This includes the required(!) attendance at the first session.

Program Dates

Monthly large group sessions – Saturdays: January 25 (required!), February 22, March 22, April 19, May 10, June 14, July 19, August 16, September 13, October 18, November 15, December 13, plus “Graduation” on January 24, 2026.

All large group meeting times are: 10:00am – 1:00pm US Pacific Time IMPORTANT – this first session is longer! (10:00am-1:30pm PT)

Participation Commitment

• Attend at least 10 of 12 monthly large group sessions – must attend the first session. The first large group session is required(!) to establish the safety of the container and respect the shared commitment of our “Year to Live” sangha.
• Participate fully in Home Groups (required!)
• Complete home practice assignments, practices, and readings (including A Year to Live book)
• Attend One Orientation session (this orientation is for those who have already registered for the program)

Program Outline

• Session 1: The Prognosis
• Session 2: Fear of Death and Dying
• Session 3: Softening to Fear
• Session 4: Practicing Dying
• Session 5: Life Review—Making Peace
• Session 6: Building an Altar—Service
• Session 7: Who or What Dies?
• Session 8: What Comes Next?
• Session 9: What to Do With This Body?
• Session 10: A Will, a Memorial, and an Epitaph
• Session 11: We are Not Alone
• Session 12: Saying Good-bye

Financial Details

Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports Spirit Rock’s efforts in offering lower sliding scale rates and supporting the large number of scholarship requests. All program fees include support for the teacher.

Standard Sliding Scale:
Benefactor – $1500
Sustainer – $1250
Basic – $1008

Scholarship Sliding Scale:
Scholarship Rate 1 – $750
Mudita/Karuna Scholarship Rate – $500
BIPOC Scholarship Rate – $500

The scholarship rates require a minimum fee and are subsidized. These rates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, they are limited, and reserved for those truly experiencing financial hardship. Scholarship rates sell out quickly so we recommend registering as early as possible. While we are not able to offer “pay what you can” type of scholarships for trainings, we invite you to email us if the lowest rate does not fit your financial circumstance.

Payments
ALL participants have the option of paying in full, or a 30% deposit, at the time of registration. Payment plans are available to all and the earlier you register the more months you have to spread out the cost. The remainder of any unpaid balance may be divided into equal monthly installments* that will start the month following your deposit payment up through May 15, 2025 (if needed). All fees should be paid in full by this date. Installments can only be set up on credit cards; and will be automatically set up using the same card you used to pay your deposit. *Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for those with extreme financial hardship.

Cancellation Policy*
Full refund: prior to December 15, 2024
25% cancel fee: December 16 – January 31, 2025
50% cancel fee: February 1 – 28, 2025
No refund: March 1, 2025 and beyond. Applies to all participants.
*Cancel fee is based on the amount you agreed to pay.

These fees apply to all participants. Late cancellations do not allow us time to fill a vacated spot in the program. If you need to withdraw from the program, the above fee structure will apply. Cancellation fees support future scholarships at Spirit Rock. If you have an unexpected financial situation, please reach out to us at: registration@spiritrock.org.

Testimonials

What a profound year. Life has deepened through this journey of A Year to Live. The connections made are meaningful, safe, and enriching. The guidance, teachings, and community are infinitely valuable. I am so grateful to have taken this leap!
— Jenna

A Year to Live is for those who love swimming in the deep water, so much to reflect and act upon within this program and heartfelt humanity throughout.
— Kathleen

I wanted to take the Year to Live program for several years but had come up with several reasons why “I couldn’t”.  I could not imagine 2020 without having been in this class. It’s one of the most profound things I have ever been involved with and am so thankful to everyone involved.
— Alexandra

How would you truly live your life differently if you knew this was your last year? Simply profound. The teachings and workshops helped me unravel that into practical, no bullshit ways that I now apply every day. By far, the most impactful and important program I have taken.
—Mohamad

I was motivated to sign up for A Year to Live by a nagging sense of obligation: This is something I need to get done! I didn’t expect that in learning to walk through all the doors of dying, and ultimately through death’s door, I would be handed such precious keys to living. Thank you, thank you, thank you dear Vinny for your clarity and compassion. And to you dear Heather, our angel hovering attentively over it all. And to my small-group partners, with whom I shared love and laughs.
— Scott (in Sweden)