A Year to Live (YL8T27)

Teaching Team

Vinny Ferraro and Frank Ostaseski assisted by Monika Son and Christian Howard.

Prerequisites

• Minimum of 3 days of either: silent meditation residential retreat, or mindfulness daylongs/workshop(s), or a combination of both.
• Consistent meditation practice highly encouraged.

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 one another in discovering what death has to teach us about life and vice versa.

Location

Online via Zoom

What You’ll Receive

• Live Immersive Sessions: Monthly (12) large group sessions and Q&As
• Community Connection: Monthly (12), 1-hour, self-facilitated, self-hosted “Home Groups” that meet in between large group sessions. (These will be assigned by Spirit Rock staff.) Each group will determine a time/day that works for everyone during the January large group session. Home Groups are required!
• Practices Between Sessions: Guided meditations, readings, reflections (estimated 5-7 hours/month + monthly Home Groups + daily meditation)
• Lifetime Program Access: Revisit the teachings, recordings, and practices at any time at your own pace.

Program Schedule

All large group meeting times are: 10:00am-1:00pm US Pacific Time
IMPORTANT EXCEPTION – FIRST session only (Jan 30th):
10:00am-1:45pm PT (45 minutes longer!)

Orientation Sessions: (required, attend ONE)
Thursday, January 14, 2027; 5:30-6:30pm US Pacific Time
Friday, January 15, 2027; 11:00am-12:00pm US Pacific Time

Community Essentials Session (required):
Saturday, January 23, 2027; 12:00-1:15pm US Pacific Time

Program Dates and Outline
Session 1: The Prognosis – January 30 (required)
Session 2: Fear of Death and Dying – February 20
Session 3: Softening to Fear – March 20
Session 4: Practicing Dying – April 24
Session 5: Life Review—Making Peace – May 22
Session 6: Building an Altar—Service – June 12
Session 7: Who or What Dies? – July 10
Session 8: What Comes Next? – August 7
Session 9: What to Do With This Body? – September 11
Session 10: A Will, a Memorial, and an Epitaph – October 16
Session 11: We are Not Alone – November 13
Session 12: Saying Good-bye – December 11
Graduation: January 8, 2028 (10:00-11:00am PT)

Participation Commitment

Engaging in the content of this course may be uncomfortable, challenging, and/or difficult at times (it can also be profoundly liberating!). To get the most out of this program, we ask that you read thoroughly and commit to the following agreements:

• Meet the prerequisites.
• Attend ONE of the pre-program Orientation sessions.
• Attend the Community Essentials session on Jan 23rd.
• Attend a minimum of 10 of the 12 large group sessions live, one of which must be the very first session on Jan 30th (REQUIRED).
• Meet with your Home Group each month for ~1 hour in between large group sessions (REQUIRED).
• Commit to a consistent meditation or stress management / self-regulation / centering type of practice (preferably daily) for the duration of the program.
• Skillfully engage in all sessions (home groups, large groups, breakout groups).

IMPORTANT! If you are unable to make this Participation Commitment at this time, please wait and join us for a future iteration. This commitment includes the required(!) attendances at: one orientation, the first large group session, and Community Essentials session.

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 teachers.

Standard Sliding Scale:
Benefactor – $1575
Sustainer – $1315
Basic – $1060

Scholarship Sliding Scale:
Scholarship Rate 1 – $775
Mudita/Karuna Scholarship Rate – $525
BIPOC Scholarship Rate – $525

Scholarship rates are limited and reserved for those truly experiencing financial hardship. These rates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will 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 this training, we invite you to email us if the lowest rate does not meet your financial circumstance. We cannot guarantee we can meet all requests.

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, 2027 (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 to payment schedule can be made on a case-by-case basis for those with extreme financial hardship.

Cancellation Policy*
$25 Admin fee: if cancel anytime prior to December 15, 2026
25% cancel fee: December 16, 2026 – February 5, 2027
50% cancel fee: February 6 – 28, 2027
No refund: March 1, 2027 and beyond.
*Cancel fee is based on the amount you agreed to pay.

These fees apply to all participants. If you need to withdraw from the program, the above fee structure will apply. Cancellation fees support future scholarships at Spirit Rock. Late cancellations do not allow us time to fill a vacated spot in the program. 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

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)