Intro to Loving Kindness (Mettā): Finding Inner Sanctuary in the New Year (NM1H26)

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on January 18, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program.

Description:
Mettā (lovingkindness) is the heart’s natural capacity to meet ourselves and others with warmth and care. In a world of unsettling headlines, fear can quickly take hold, painting vivid tigers on the walls of our inner cave. Mettā offers a gentle antidote, creating a sanctuary of inner stability. As the Buddha reminded the forest monks, kindness is a powerful protection, supporting both refuge and wise engagement.

Mettā is also a profound insight practice, steadying wisdom and helping us meet experience with clarity. Practicing vipassanā—or simply moving through daily life—without kindness can feel like riding a bicycle with flat tires: possible, but unnecessarily rough. Mettā fills the tires, smoothing the path of practice and everyday living. Let’s put some air in our tires for the road ahead as we come together for this half-day retreat—a supportive space to begin the New Year with a steady, kind intention.

Online Only: We are offering this program online via Zoom.

Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports the teachers as well as Spirit Rock and your fellow practitioners who need to pay less.

Benefactor – $90
Sustainer – $50
Basic – $40
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $25

All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 12:00pm (NOON) PT on the day prior to the program date.

*Recording Note: Registration includes unlimited access to this program’s recording. You must register by the deadline above. The recording will be available in ~10 days after the program.

Cancellation Policy – Online: Drop-ins, Daylongs, Multiday Programs (1-3 days), Family Programs/Series, CEC fees:

• NO REFUNDS
• Open Credit, or Donation to Spirit Rock = if cancel by midnight, the day prior to program start (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = if cancel day of the program, or beyond