Finding Refuge in Belonging: Annual BIPOC Retreat (340X24) - Lottery

Lottery application opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on February 28, 2024 and closes 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on March 20, 2024.

Admission for this retreat is by application and a lottery-style selection in order to maintain a diverse community of practitioners – see Lottery Selection Details below for more information.

OPEN TO ALL SELF-IDENTIFIED BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR

Description:
As a BIPOC community, we come together to awaken to the possibility of our collective liberation. Knowing this liberation can only happen while in the presence of Beloved Community, we will open our hearts and minds to the true refuge of belonging.

Throughout this retreat, we will gain insight into the 10 Paramis—the perfections or attainments of heart and mind—which will guide us as a map for the recovery and reclamation of a culture of belonging and wisdom. These are qualities for navigating life, not just guidelines for meditation, and they are said to be what the Buddha was cultivating in earlier lifetimes as he slowly developed into one who could awaken fully and show others the way to freedom.

We will practice both seated and walking meditation/movement, as well as guided meditations, instructions, and Dharma offerings. All meditation levels are welcome to register.

Financial Information:
Sliding Scale: $870-$3300; 6 nights including food and lodging. Fees DO NOT include a donation to the teacher(s). You will have an opportunity to offer dana at the end of the retreat.

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 Sustainer 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 Rate (guaranteed single room) – $3300
Benefactor – $1920
Sustainer – $1350
Basic – $870
Toni Ko Scholarship Rate (for 1st time retreatants ages 27-55 yrs) – $50
BIPOC Scholarship Rate – $390

Important Notes:

Scholarship offerings: All scholarship rates require a minimum fee ($65/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 also offer a “guaranteed single room” rate and these will be limited (20). 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.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ Updates on our current COVID Safety Protocols for In-person Retreats.

Selection Details:
Applications are accepted between Wednesday, February 28 – Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (end of the day). All applications are assigned a random number for the selection process. The lottery-style selection process helps us balance many factors to create equity, diversity, inclusion, and access across our community of practitioners. The factors include: age, gender, scholarship needs & availability, affinity group participation, and stage of practice (new to experienced). Applications received after the close date are automatically placed on the wait list (and will not be included in the first round of selections). Notification rounds can move quickly in the first few weeks following the first acceptances, so we recommend staying ready. You may be accepted sooner than you realize!

You will be notified about the selection results within two weeks of the application close date. If you have been offered a space, you will have two days to pay a deposit to accept/hold the space. If you don’t accept the space within this deadline, we will offer it to the next person in line.

Cancellation Policy for Residential Retreats*:
Standard Cancellation Fees:

• $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:
Commuter-Sustainer – $675
Commuter-Basic – $435