Befriending Mortality: Practices for Living An Awakened Life Through Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati) (NM2D25)

Please only register for one of the two formats: On-Land or Online.

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on September 21, 2025. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program. Continuing Education Credits? (see details below).

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Description:
Although death is one of life’s certain truths, it is often kept at arm’s length in modern Western culture. We all know that we will die, yet we tend to avoid this reality, turning away from its transformative potential. But rather than fleeing from our mortality, we can harness the power of this reflection to align with our deepest values in order to live—and love—more fully. Through mindfulness of death (maraṇasati)—which the Buddha encouraged us to reflect upon daily for the benefit of ourselves and all beings—we become more present for this fleeting, miraculous experience of life, meeting it with greater clarity, compassion, and gratitude.

Fully opening to life’s impermanence can foster a profound letting go—supporting both how we live and how we meet death, with courage, peace, and even liberation. Through guided meditation, reflection, and Dharma teachings, together we will cultivate clarity, courage, and compassion, embracing the truth of impermanence as a gateway to freedom.

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Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports teachers as well as Spirit Rock and your fellow practitioners who need to pay less.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (NM2D25)**
Benefactor – $310
Sustainer – $235
Basic – $140
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $70
**Volunteer/Work Exchange opportunities, which include full or partial Scholarships, may be available for the in-person program. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Online Sliding Scale: (NM2Z25)***
Benefactor – $175
Sustainer – $95
Basic – $75
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $45
***Online Program: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 12:00pm (NOON) PT on the day prior to the program date.

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*Important Notes:

Access to Recording

• Registration includes unlimited access to this program’s recording. You must register by the deadline above. The recording will be available in ~10 days after the program.

On-Land Attendees

• The on-land program will take place in the Community Meditation Center (CMC) in the Great Hall.
• Bring a lunch and a water bottle. Lunch is not provided.
• This is NOT a residential retreat. Overnight accommodations are not provided.

COVID Safety Protocols for non-residential programs: details here.

Cancellation Policy for On-Land: Daylongs, Multiday Programs (1-3 days), Family Programs, CEC fees:

• NO REFUNDS.
• Open Credit or Donation to Spirit Rock = cancel 2 or more business days prior to program (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = cancel less than 2 business days prior

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Continuing Education (CE) credit available:
This program offers 5 CE credits for $50, and is appropriate for psychologists, California-licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors who support patients and clients in contexts involving end-of-life reflection, emotional resilience, and holistic care. Please review our Continuing Education Credit information page to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.****

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. This program offers health care providers tools to skillfully engage with death and impermanence—realities they regularly face in their work—by cultivating mindfulness, presence, and emotional resilience. Practicing mindfulness of death can help providers align with their values, reduce burnout, and approach patients and families with greater compassion and equanimity. These teachings support caregivers in holding space for suffering and mortality with clarity and grace, ultimately enhancing the quality of care they offer.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program, you will be better able to:

• Describe the benefits of reflecting on our finitude in ways that may be used with clients.
• Describe one avoidant behavior in response to mortality according to Terror Management Theory.
• Describe a mindfulness of death meditation practice, in ways that may be used with clients.
• Write your own obituary to gain perspective, as a practice that can be used with clients.

Continuing Education content level: Introductory

****Please note:

• For full Provider information, and additional CEC information, including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education Credit information page.
• For those with a different license than listed above, or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CEC info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm the applicability of credit for those with licenses different than those listed.
• Mindful CECs is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985 for 5 contact hours.
• Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered.
• Potential Conflict of Interest Statement: This instructor may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course. The instructor might reference these publications during the course, and they may receive financial compensation if these publications are purchased.

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