In the Presence of Love: A Mettā and Qigong Retreat (390R26) - On Land
Vinny Ferraro, Teja Bell and Leslie Booker
December 6 - 11, 2026
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 7, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on December 5, 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.
Description
During this retreat, we will focus on cultivating the quality of lovingkindness (mettā)—infusing our hearts, minds, and bodies with a strong, caring wisdom. Lovingkindness practices open the heart and connect us intimately with all of life, while awareness—as developed through mindfulness practice—leads to clarity, insight, and understanding. The fusion of these qualities helps us to respond more compassionately to the challenges we encounter in ourselves and in the world.
Qigong is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation. Qigong perfectly complements traditional sitting meditation practice and has a long and well-established connection to contemplative traditions. On this retreat, lovingkindness practices will be supported by periods of guided instruction as well as Qigong, meditation, and regular meetings with the teachers.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Sliding Scale fees are for 5 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 – $3050
Benefactor Rate – $2450
Sustainer Rate – $1850
Basic Rate – $1225
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $475
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 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 (Sept 12)
- $100: 8-12 weeks before (Sept 13 – Oct 10)
- $175: 4-8 weeks before (Oct 11 – Nov 7)
- $300: 2-4 weeks before (Nov 8 – Nov 21)
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Nov 22)
Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:
- Full refund: On or before 12 weeks (Sept 12)
- $75: 8-12 weeks before (Sept 13 – Oct 10)
- $100: 4-8 weeks before (Oct 11 – Nov 7)
- $200: 2-4 weeks before (Nov 8 – Nov 21)
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Nov 22)
*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 – $925
Basic-Commuter – $625
Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats
About the Teachers

Vinny Ferraro
Vinny Ferraro has been a practitioner of insight meditation (Vipassanā) since the mid-90s. He is a co-Founder of the Dharma Punx and he’s been the Guiding Teacher of the Big Heart City Sangha in San Francisco for 20 years. He is also a nationally recognized leader in designing and implementing interventions for at-risk adolescents and […]
Learn more about Vinny Ferraro
Teja Bell
Teja Bell (Fudo Myoo Rōshi 老師) is a lineage dharma teacher and Rinzai Zen master, the 84th ancestor of Lin-Chi I-Chuan's Chan lineage. He is a 6th degree Black Belt in Aikido and a life-long practitioner and teacher of Chinese Internal Arts and Qigong. Teaching Internationally (in China and Europe), Teja integrates meditation, and dharma, […]
Learn more about Teja Bell
Leslie Booker
Booker is a heart-centered, spirit-driven activist and meditation teacher committed to creating a culture of belonging through her teaching and writing. She trained at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in their Mindful Yoga and Meditation (2012), Community Dharma Leaders (2017), and Retreat Teacher training programs (2020). Outside of her formal training, she shared the practices of […]
Learn more about Leslie BookerCategories : Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat