Cultivating Concentration (380R22) - On Land
Phillip Moffitt, MA, Sally Armstrong, Tempel Smith, Amana Brembry Johnson, Nikki Mirghafori, PhD and Kristina Baré, MFT, SEP
August 14 - 24, 2022
Registration open until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on August 13, 2022. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early.
Prerequisite: BEFORE you apply, you must have completed at least two weeklong retreats (7-nights or longer each); silent, residential insight meditation retreats (in-person retreat experience; online retreats are not eligible).
Description:
Concentration, (samādhi), the collection and unification of the mind, was emphasized by the Buddha as one of the aspects of the Eightfold Path. It can bring joy to your practice and lead to the skillful use of pleasure in the meditative process. Whatever your level of practice, you can improve your Insight Meditation (vipassanā) by strengthening your concentration skills. Your ability to concentrate will develop in response to the attention you give it.
This retreat will offer a series of techniques for staying on the meditation object for extended periods of time. We will explore the factors of concentration that lead to the deep absorption states known as jhanas. Teachers will also give instruction for utilizing concentration during Insight practice.
Financial Information:
Sliding Scale: $500-$4,800; 10 nights including food and lodging.
Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports Spirit Rock, staff, and your fellow practitioners. Any amount offered above the Base rate is a tax deductible donation to Spirit Rock, and your generosity will enable and support the participation of others. These fees do not include dana for the teachers.
Supporter (guaranteed single room) – $4,800.00
Benefactor – $3,800.00
Sustainer – $2,900.00
Base – $1,900.00
Reduced – $1,200.00
Mudita/Karuna Scholarship (for anyone who needs financial assistance, including fixed income folks) – $500.00*
BIPOC Scholarship (for Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of color) – $500.00*
Young Adult Scholarship (for young adults ages 18-26 years) – $500.00*
Important Notes:
*Scholarship offerings: In returning to the land, we will also be returning to our pre-pandemic scholarship options and policies. All scholarship rates require a minimum fee ($50/night). Scholarships are limited to TWO per calendar year for on-land retreats. And, while we are not able to offer “no one turned away”-type scholarships for in-person retreats, they are still available for online offerings.
Room Occupancy Update**: As of March 27, 2022, we have returned to double occupancy rooms. Many of our rooms are single occupancy (only 16 of 80 rooms are double occupancy). We have also returned to offering 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 – PLEASE READ Updates on our current COVID Safety Protocols for In-person Retreats.
Cancellation Policy as of mid-April 2022*:
- $100 On or before 8 weeks
- $175 4-8 weeks before
- $300 2-4 weeks before
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before
*Fees reduced for serious illness or death in family
About the Teachers
Phillip Moffitt, MA
Phillip Moffitt is a Buddhist meditation teacher and writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He served as Co-Guiding Teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center from 2010-2018. Phillip is an honorary co-founder and the creator of the practice method that is the focus of the nonprofit organization Dharma Ground, which offers online Insight retreats […]
Learn more about Phillip Moffitt, MASally Armstrong
Sally Armstrong began practicing vipassana meditation in India in 1981 and started teaching in 1996. She is a Stewarding Teacher at Spirit Rock and has served as a co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock. She developed and led Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program and Advanced Practitioner Program. She has a keen interest in supporting students who […]
Learn more about Sally ArmstrongTempel Smith
Tempel Smith teaches Mindfulness, Insight and Metta meditation with an emphasis on Buddhist psychology and mind-body awareness. He spent a year as a monk in Burma with Sayadaw U Pandita and Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tempel serves on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, organizes the Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP) and Living Dharma retreats for Spirit Rock […]
Learn more about Tempel SmithAmana Brembry Johnson
Amana Brembry Johnson, Residential Dharma Teacher and Community Leader, is a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC), located in Oakland, CA and co-Guiding Teacher of EBMC’s Spiritual Teacher and Leadership Training. Amana mentors local and international groups of emerging Mindfulness teachers through the Mindfulness Meditation Training Certification Program (MMTCP) designed and developed […]
Learn more about Amana Brembry JohnsonNikki Mirghafori, PhD
Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and Artificial Intelligence scientist. She is a lineage holder in the Theravada tradition, empowered by the living Burmese meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, with whom she practiced the jhanas and detailed analytical (Abhidhamma-style) vipassana. She also received empowerment from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, […]
Learn more about Nikki Mirghafori, PhDKristina Baré, MFT, SEP
Kristina Baré is an insight meditation teacher, therapist, and Somatic Experiencing practitioner. She has trained primarily in the Burmese lineages of Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw and Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. She enjoys supporting students deepening samadhi, loving-kindness and insight. Opening the door to an expansion of the heart and to liberating wisdom. In support of the […]
Learn more about Kristina Baré, MFT, SEPCategories : On-land, Residential