In the Presence of Love (284R27) - On Land
John Martin and Devin Berry
November 27 - 30, 2027
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on September 2, 2026, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on November 26, 2027. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early.
Applying for a residential scholarship? – see our Financial Support FAQs.
Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.
Description
Throughout this retreat, we will cultivate a gentle, open-hearted awareness, supported by the beautiful heart qualities of lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. As our practice deepens, we find that our hearts can be naturally responsive to meet our experience with love, balance, and ease.
Teachers will offer guidance and support all day throughout the retreat, which will include periods of sitting and walking meditation along with guided meditations and daily Dharma talks.There will also be an emphasis on bringing these practices into daily life. This retreat is well suited for both beginners and experienced practitioners who wish to deepen or refresh their meditation practice.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Sliding Scale fees are for 3 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 – $1,935
Benefactor Rate – $1,545
Sustainer Rate – $1,155
Basic Rate – $780
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $300
Present Parent Scholarship (low-to-modest income parent/legal guardian raising children under 18) – $50**
**See eligibility requirements here>> Financial Support FAQs
Pay in full or Payment plan: You can either pay in full or pay a minimum 30% deposit when you register. Payment plans are available to everyone! If you choose the deposit option, the remaining balance will be automatically set up and 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
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 accommodation at their own expense. 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.
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. (“Personal circumstances” could be situations like if you are a sole caregiver, or parent w/young children where you need to be home each night, for example.)
Prerequisite for Commuters:
You must have attended at least one weeklong silent residential retreat (5-7 nights) in Insight (vipassanā) meditation PRIOR to attending this retreat.
If you have questions about being a retreat commuter, please email Registration@spiritrock.org
Commuter Sliding Scale:
Sustainer-Commuter – $585
Basic-Commuter – $390
Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats
About the Teachers
John Martin
John Martin has been devoted to dharma practice since 2001, and has been teaching since 2014. He serves as the Co-Chair of the Spirit Rock Guiding Teachers Council. John teaches Vipassana, Metta and LGBTQI-themed meditation retreats. He also teaches in dedicated practitioner programs and supports practitioners in bringing practice to daily life. John's spiritual path […]
Learn more about John Martin
Devin Berry
Devin Berry is a Core Guiding Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society and a residential retreat teacher at IMS and Spirit Rock. A meditator since 1999, his practice is rooted in long-term retreat practice and the mettā and vipassanā teachings of the Insight Meditation tradition. A storyteller at heart, Devin teaches at community saṅghas nationally […]
Learn more about Devin BerryCategories : Hide Commuter, Hide Scholarships, Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat