Liberating the Heart: Navigating Seven Gates to Inner Freedom (352R26) - On Land
Amana Brembry Johnson, Ruth King, MA and Alisa Dennis, PhD
August 21 - 28, 2026
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on August 20, 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.
Designed for self-identified womxn of Black African Ancestry
Description
In the stillness of the heart, the mind finds rest and a deep and luminous wisdom begins to stir and open to a clarity that can guide us toward healing and inner freedom. In quietude it is possible to recognize and discard the trappings that lead towards confusion and turmoil. During this retreat, we will attune to the Seven Gates of Awakening. In mindful presence, we will practice investigation with curiosity, and balance wise energy with compassionate rest. As we learn to invite and infuse the heart with joy, the qualities of tranquility, concentration, and mental/emotional calm begin to follow.
Our time together will begin with intentional community building and unfold into periods of silent sitting and walking, meditation instruction, daily embodied movement, Dharma talks, and meetings with teachers. Together, we will listen deeply, steady the heart, and open to the possibility of awakening—even in a world that trembles.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Sliding Scale fees are for 7 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 – $4200
Benefactor Rate – $3360
Sustainer Rate – $2520
Basic Rate – $1680
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $665
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
- $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
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 – $1260
Basic-Commuter – $840
Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats
About the Teachers

Amana Brembry Johnson
Amana Brembry Johnson is a dedicated meditation teacher and community leader with over four decades of contemplative practice across multiple spiritual traditions. She serves as a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland, California, and is a coordinating teacher for residential retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Amana is one of […]
Learn more about Amana Brembry Johnson
Ruth King, MA
Ruth King is an international teacher in the insight meditation tradition. She is on the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Community of Washington. In former years, King managed training and organizational development divisions at Levi Strauss and Intel corporations, where she designed diversity awareness programs and consulted leaders on cultural […]
Learn more about Ruth King, MA
Alisa Dennis, PhD
Alisa Dennis, Ph.D., discovered meditation through her study of metaphysics and ancient mystical traditions. Since then, she’s trained in the Soto Zen tradition, MBSR, and most recently in the Theravada tradition. Alisa completed Spirit Rock’s teacher training program and is an authorized teacher in the Theravada lineage. Alisa gravitated toward Insight meditation because of its […]
Learn more about Alisa Dennis, PhDCategories : Black Women, DEI, Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat