Fierce Tenderness: Cultivating Strength, Compassion, and Clarity (332R26) - On Land
Lila Kate Wheeler, Carol Cano, MA and Jonathan Relucio
June 22 - 26, 2026
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on June 21, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.
In need of a scholarship? – see “Scholarship offerings” information below.
Retreat to be held: in the Community Meditation Center
Description
This retreat isn’t about escaping the world—it’s about meeting it more fully. With time to slow down and settle, we create space to see clearly and connect deeply with our experience. In the quiet, we begin to rediscover our inner strength, compassion, and clarity. Through mindfulness, nature-based practices, and gentle movement, we’ll explore how to face life’s challenges with openness and resilience. Guided by these timeless teachings, and supported by the wisdom of nature, this retreat invites you to reconnect—with yourself, with others, and with the world around you.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Sliding Scale fees are for 4 nights including food and lodging. 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.
Registration fees DO NOT include teacher dana. At the end of the retreat, there will be an invitation to offer dana to the teachers and to Spirit Rock.
Supporter Rate w/guaranteed single room – $2440
Benefactor Rate – $1960
Sustainer Rate – $1480
Basic Rate – $980
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $380
Scholarship offerings: Scholarships are limited to those with significant financial need. If you need a scholarship to attend, do not continue registering now as this will disqualify you from a scholarship opportunity in this retreat. We encourage you to complete the Scholarship Interest Form – Click Here. Scholarship allocation dates are included in the interest form.
Pay in full or Payment plan: You can either pay in full or pay a deposit when you register. Payment plans are available to everyone! If you choose the deposit option, the remaining balance will be automatically charged to your payment card in equal installments on a monthly basis. Full payment is due two weeks prior to the retreat start.
Cancellation Policy (Residential Retreats):*
Standard Cancellation Fees:
- $50: On or before 12 weeks
- $100: 8-12 weeks before
- $175: 4-8 weeks before
- $300: 2-4 weeks before
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before
Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:
- Full refund: On or before 12 weeks
- $75: 8-12 weeks before
- $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. However, if your personal circumstances preclude you from attending a residential retreat (e.g. staying overnight), please reach out to us as we may be able to offer you a commuter spot sooner and we would be happy to have a conversation with you.
Prerequisite to Attend as a Commuter:
You must have attended at least one weeklong silent residential retreat (5-7 nights) in Insight (vipassanā) meditation 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:
Sustainer-Commuter – $740
Basic-Commuter – $500
Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats
About the Teachers

Lila Kate Wheeler
Lila Kate Wheeler wanted to be a saint when she grew up. Nowadays she's aiming for a more open heart and a moment-to-moment encounter with reality. As 'Kate' she's a fiction writer, essayist, and travel journalist with books and prizes to her credit. As 'Lila' she teaches and practices in the Vipassana and Tibetan Nyingma […]
Learn more about Lila Kate Wheeler
Carol Cano, MA
Carol Cano, MA, has a master’s in Psychology and began her practice over 30 years ago at Wat Kow Tahm in Thailand and has actively engaged in building communities and teaching Dharma internationally. She is a graduate of the 2017-2020 Spirit Rock Meditation Center's Teacher Training program and a teacher at Spirit Rock often. She is […]
Learn more about Carol Cano, MA
Jonathan Relucio
For a decade, Jonathan Relucio taught trauma-informed yoga, meditation, and mindfulness in urban schools, mental health clinics and juvenile detention centers as a Senior Trainer for Niroga Institute. He has completed Spirit Rock's Mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation Training program and currently teaches at the East Bay Meditation Center. Jonathan facilitates transformation in social justice movements with Rockwood […]
Learn more about Jonathan RelucioCategories : Multi-day, On-land, Parallel, Residential, Retreat