Insight Meditation Retreat: A Path to Wisdom and the Cultivation of the Heart (218R27)

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2026, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on April 9, 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” section.

Description

Join us on this retreat dedicated to the practice of Insight Meditation (vipassanā)—a time-honored path of awakening highlighting the central teachings of the Buddha and their practical application to our lives. Grounded in mindfulness, investigation, and compassion, this retreat offers a supportive and contemplative space to gently turn inward, observe the nature of the mind and body, and deepen understanding of impermanence and interconnection, resulting in clarity and the possibility of inner freedom.

Through sustained periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided instruction, Dharma talks, and meetings with the teachers, we will engage with the cultivation of clear seeing as well as the development of the heart qualities—equanimity, lovingkindness, compassion, and empathetic joy.

This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced meditators, and is held in noble silence to encourage inward reflection and a deepening of presence.

This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.

Assistant Teachers: Melanie Cherng and Brett Bethke

Financial Details

Sliding Scale fees are for 8 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 – $5000
Benefactor Rate – $4000
Sustainer Rate – $3000
Basic Rate – $2000
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $760

Scholarship offerings: Scholarships are limited to those with significant financial need. If you need a scholarship to attend, we encourage you to complete the Scholarship Request Form which will be available starting July 15, 2026 up until the retreat starts. Scholarship allocations generally occur 4-5 months prior to the start of the retreat, and will continue as space is available.

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 (January 16)
• $100: 8-12 weeks before (February 13)
• $175: 4-8 weeks before (March 13)
• $300: 2-4 weeks before (March 27)
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before

Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:

• Full refund: On or before 12 weeks (January 16)
• $75: 8-12 weeks before (February 13)
• $100: 4-8 weeks before (March 13)
• $200: 2-4 weeks before (March 27)
• 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. (“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.

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 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.

If you have additional questions about being a retreat commuter, please email Registration@spiritrock.org

Commuter Sliding Scale:
Sustainer-Commuter – $1520
Basic-Commuter – $1000

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats