The Body as Nature, Nature in the Body (294R23) - On Land
Anushka Fernandopulle, Tara Mulay and Vance Pryor
October 28 - November 1, 2023
Registration open until 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on October 27, 2023. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early.
Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.
The Body as Nature, Nature in the Body: Dharma and Our Connection to the Earth
Description:
Our body can be a vehicle for liberation in this life, with all that we need to wake up. Yet we may not know how to relate to the body to support this kind of freedom. We will practice ways of connecting to our body with loving awareness while recognizing ourselves as part of nature, including developing awareness of our mortality. We will engage in the practices of the Buddhist path in silence—sitting, walking, resting, and eating—supported by nature on the land at Spirit Rock.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Residential Retreat Sliding Scale:*
Supporter Rate w/guaranteed single room – $2080
Benefactor Rate – $1640
Sustainer Rate – $1260
BASE – $820
Reduced Rate – $520
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult) – $220
*Fees DO NOT include a donation to the teacher(s).
Scholarship offerings: All scholarship rates require a minimum fee ($55/night). Scholarships are limited to TWO per calendar year for on-land retreats. And, while we are not able to offer “pay what you can”-type of scholarships for in-person retreats, they are still available for online offerings as space allows.
Room Occupancy**: We have double and single occupancy rooms. Many of our rooms are single occupancy (only 16 of 80 rooms are double occupancy). We offer a “guaranteed single room” rate and these will be limited (16). This rate guarantees a single room while helping to support scholarships and all we do here at Spirit Rock. The remaining single rooms are not exclusive to the top end of the sliding scale; however, they are initially prioritized for those with serious medical needs.
**Subject to change depending upon COVID-19 situation.
IMPORTANT – Details on our current COVID Safety Protocols for In-person Retreats.
Cancellation Policy for Residential Retreats:***
Standard Cancellation Fee Schedule:
- $100 On or before 8 weeks
- $175 4-8 weeks before
- $300 2-4 weeks before
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before
Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:
- $75 On or before 8 weeks
- $100 4-8 weeks before
- $200 2-4 weeks before
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before
***Fees reduced for serious illness or death in family
Retreat Commuter Option:
The retreat commuter option will only become available once the retreat is full with a waitlist.
Prerequisite to Attend as a Commuter:
You must have attended at least one 7-night or two 5-night silent, Insight (vipassanā) meditation residential retreats PRIOR to attending this retreat.
What is a Retreat Commuter?
A retreat commuter is a practitioner who attends a full residential retreat, including all meals, but they are not provided with overnight accommodations. Instead practitioners stay in their own home or find local accommodations. A communal resting area is provided during the day while on campus for the retreat. The retreat commuter is expected to attend the entire retreat just like residential retreatants. Special reduced rates are listed below for retreat commuters.
If you have questions about being a retreat commuter, please email Registration@spiritrock.org
Commuter Sliding Scale:
Benefactor – $820
Sustainer – $615
Base – $410
About the Teachers

Anushka Fernandopulle
Anushka Fernandopulle is a Spirit Rock Retreat Teacher who has trained for over 35 years in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Anushka studied Buddhism at Harvard College and then spent four years in full-time Dharma and meditation training in monasteries and retreat centers in the US, India and Sri Lanka. Anushka was invited to teach Dharma […]
Learn more about Anushka Fernandopulle
Tara Mulay
Tara Mulay teaches and mentors Dharma practitioners on retreat and in daily life practice. Trained and authorized by the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, Tara serves as a Guiding Teacher and board member at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, and teaches nationally. Tara's journey into Dharma practice began during her 20-year career […]
Learn more about Tara Mulay
Vance Pryor
Vance Pryor has practiced insight meditation since 1999 in both the United States and Myanmar. He has been influenced by the teachings of Sayadaw U Pandita and Sayadaw U Tejaniya. He is a graduate of The Insight Meditation Society's 2017-2021 Teacher Training Program.
Learn more about Vance PryorCategories : Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat