Liberation through Emptiness and Awareness Practices (LEAP) Application

Applications accepted between: April 12 – November 15, 2022. All applications will go through a screening process by the teachers. Important note: Scholarship Rates are very limited and reserved for those who are truly experiencing financial hardship.

Go Here to Learn More: Liberation through Emptiness & Awareness Practices (LEAP) Program Details

TEACHING TEAM:

Sally Armstrong, Susie Harrington, and Dawn Scott
Guest Faculty: Bhikkhu Analayo, Guy Armstrong, Gil Fronsdal, Brian Lesage, and Jaya Rudgard

PROGRAM DATES: May 2023 – May 2024

All retreats are 8 nights and are held in-person at Spirit Rock Meditation Center:
Retreat 1: May 15-23, 2023
Retreat 2: November 2-10, 2023
Retreat 3: May 17-25, 2024

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

A minimum of 50 nights of silent vipassanā, and/or mettā residential retreats. (Daylongs or non-residential retreats do not count towards the prerequisites.)

PROGRAM DETAILS:

“This is peaceful, this is excellent, namely the stilling of all formations, the relinquishing of all attachments, the destruction of craving, dispassion, cessation, Nibbāna.” (MN 64.9)

LEAP is intended for experienced students of the Dhamma who want to explore the liberation teachings of the Buddha through practice, study, inquiry, and interactive exercises. It is a year-long program consisting of three retreats and is intended for those who have completed programs like Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP), Community Dharma Leader Program (CDL), Heavenly Messengers (HM), or an equivalent. Alternatively, long time practitioners or people who have participated in an equivalent program offered by another Vipassana teacher or organization are also eligible to apply.

The purpose of this program is to bring to life the liberating teachings of the Buddha both on retreat and in our daily practice. The three LEAP retreats will focus more on silent, intensive practice than DPP or CDL, but each retreat will include regular interactive and study sessions.

Spirit Rock is excited to offer this program again. Our previous iterations found it to be a great support to the experienced students in our community. We hope that those of you who have done DPP or CDL or have other significant study and practice experience will join us!

PROGRAM COMPONENTS and REQUIREMENTS:

• Attendance at all three 8-night retreats
• Attendance at monthly small regional group meetings (in-person and Zoom options)
• Ongoing meetings with study/practice partners
• Regular Zoom meetings with LEAP teachers
• Completion of monthly homework including readings, reflections, and meditation instructions
• Commit to maintaining both meditative and daily life practice
• The practice of dana (generosity) to support program teachers, group leaders and mentoring teachers
• Meeting all financial obligations outlined in this application relating to program fees

APPLICATION TIMELINE and PROCESS:

April 12 – November 15, 2022 – Period applications are being accepted.
November 15, 2022 – Deadline to submit application. All applications sent after this date will be considered for the waitlist.
November 15, 2022 – Notification status will be sent no later than this date via email.
Within 3 days of Receiving Acceptance Notification – Commitment and payment deadline; 25% deposit required at time of acceptance; $100 non-refundable, flat fee for all applicants, if cancel on or before to January 1, 2023.

Applications will be formally accepted on a rolling basis throughout the application period until the program fills, or until November 15, 2022, whichever comes first. Applications received AFTER the program is full or after November 15 (again, whichever comes first) will automatically be considered for the waitlist. You are encouraged to apply early.

TUITION

Participation in LEAP requires a financial commitment. Payment plans are available for all levels of the sliding scale. Scholarship support is available to help with payment of fees but it will be limited.

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be asked to pay a minimum 25% deposit or pay in full. The remainder of any unpaid balance may be divided into 12 monthly installments* that will start Jan. 1, 2023. Installments can only be set up on credit cards. We no longer set up installments on checking accounts. All program fees are to be paid in full by Jan. 1, 2024.

*If you join the program after Jan. 1, 2023 you may be required to pay in fewer monthly installments.

Please consider the amount you would be able to afford in order to participate in LEAP. We ask you to select the highest possible level of program fees that meet your needs, as your generosity allows for those with lesser means to attend.

Sliding Scale:
$15,000 – Supporter with guaranteed single room
$12,000 – Benefactor
$9,000 – Sustainer
$6,000 – Base Rate

Scholarship Rates:
Scholarship Rate 1 – $5,500
Scholarship Rate 2 – $4,000
Scholarship Rate 3 – $2,500

Tuition includes:

• Accommodations and meals at all three residential retreats
• All handouts and program materials
• Access to social media and online community building groups

Tuition does NOT include:

• Financial offering (dana) for Teachers
• Transportation costs to/from your home to Spirit Rock.
• Mentor teacher support (dana) for individual meetings with your mentor teacher in your area

Cancellation Policy
Participating in the LEAP program will require your commitment of both time and financial resources. Because this program is a progressive sequence of three retreats and other activities over a two-year period, you are committing to attend all three retreats and paying for the entire program. If you need to withdraw from the program, the following fee* structure will apply:

$100 non-refundable, flat fee for all applicants on or before Jan 1, 2023
10% fee = Jan 2 – Mar 15, 2023
20% fee = Mar 16 – May 13, 2023
40% fee = May 14 – Oct. 31, 2023
85% fee = Nov. 1, 2023 – May 13, 2024
No refunds = On or after May 14, 2024

*Fee deducted from refund; fee is a percentage of the total amount agreed to pay. These fees apply to all participants.

QUESTIONS? Please email us.