Labor Day Insight Retreat (356R26) - On Land
James Baraz, MA, Howard Cohn, MA and Terry Vandiver
September 2 - 7, 2026
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 7, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on September 1, 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
This retreat emphasizes quieting the mind, opening the heart, and developing clarity and depth of practice. Traditional instructions will be combined with a spirit of lovingkindness, and our time together will include a schedule of silent sitting and walking periods, guided Yoga/movement sessions, as well as practice meetings with teachers and daily Dharma talks. This retreat is for experienced as well as new students.
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 (Jun 9)
- $100: 8-12 weeks before (Jun 10 – Jul 7)
- $175: 4-8 weeks before (Jul 8 – Aug 4)
- $300: 2-4 weeks before (Aug 5 – Aug 18)
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Aug 19)
Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:
- Full refund: On or before 12 weeks (Jun 9)
- $75: 8-12 weeks before (Jun 10 – Jul 7)
- $100: 4-8 weeks before (Jul 8 – Aug 4)
- $200: 2-4 weeks before (Aug 5 – Aug 18)
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Aug 19)
*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

James Baraz, MA
James Baraz, MA, has a master’s in Psychology and is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center. James started the Community Dharma Leader program, the Kalyana Mitta Network, the Spirit Rock Family Program and helped create the Heavenly Messengers Training Program. James has been leading the online course Awakening Joy since 2003. He serves […]
Learn more about James Baraz, MA
Howard Cohn, MA
Howard Cohn, MA, has a master’s in Counseling Psychology and has practiced meditation since 1972 and has led Vipassana retreats since 1985. He leads a weekly ongoing class in San Francisco. Howard has studied with many Asian and Western teachers of several traditions, including Theravada, Zen, Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta, and has been strongly influenced […]
Learn more about Howard Cohn, MA
Terry Vandiver
Terry has led mindful movement and gentle yoga at Spirit Rock for 30 years. She studied with the Iyengars in India and has taught Iyengar style classes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Learn more about Terry VandiverCategories : Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat