Living Dharma Program (LD4T24)

Registration closes 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on October 3, 2024. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early.

Program Dates: September 2024 – April 2025

All large group sessions: Saturdays; 9:00am – 12:30pm US Pacific Time

Session 1: Sept 14, Opening session (9:00am-2:00pm); IMPORTANT – this first session is longer!
Session 2: Oct 5
Session 3: Nov 9
Session 4: Dec 7
Session 5: Jan 11
Session 6: Feb 8
Session 7: Mar 8
Session 8: Apr 12

Large Group Session Schedule: (general format)
9:00am – 10:50am: Welcome & Morning Session
10:50am – 11:00am: Break
11:00am – 12:30pm: Afternoon Session & Closing

Preferred Prerequisites (strongly encouraged, not required):

• A minimum of 10 days of either silent meditation residential retreats or daylongs/ mindfulness workshop or a combination of both.
• At least 2 years of meditation practice
• For white-identified participants, to have completed or be signed up to take a white awareness, antiracist, and/or racial equity training

Description

Experience the profound wisdom of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path in this dynamic program designed for devoted meditators and Buddhist practitioners. This training invites us to connect with the transformative teachings of sīla, samādhi, and pañña (ethics, meditation, and wisdom) as we consider how to cultivate mindfulness, kindness, and balance given the mounting stresses of modern life that impact us on both individual and global levels.

Together we will explore the eight limbs of the Dharma path: Wise Understanding, Wise Motivation, Wise Action, Wise Livelihood, Wise Communication, Wise Effort, Wise Mindfulness, and Wise Concentration. Then, supported by these key Buddhist teachings, we will consider how we’d like to live and respond to today’s pressing challenges—from increasing social inequity to the climate crisis—with awareness, wisdom, and compassion.

Our meditation practice is deeply intertwined with the world around us—socially, politically, and globally. Throughout this practical and experiential program, we will cultivate a vibrant learning community where we will learn, practice, and integrate these 2600-year-old teachings into our contemporary lives. Join us and transform your practice while fostering a life rooted in the gifts of mindfulness, resilience, and purpose.

Program Includes

• Monthly large group sessions – online (recorded)
• Q&A sessions – online (recorded)
• Affinity small groups (optional)
• Small group sessions (optional, self-facilitated – meet in between large group sessions)
• Daily and monthly home practices, reflections, and readings

Participation Commitment*

*This program is held entirely online.

• Must attend one Program Orientation – just show up to one, no need to RSVP
  • Tues, Sep 10; 5:00-6:00pm PT
  • Fri, Sep 13; 11:00am-12:00pm PT
• Must attend at least 6 of 8 large group sessions live (and access recordings of any missed sessions)
• Meditation: 20-30 min/day recommended
• Reading, journaling, and reflections: 4-8 hr/month
• Q&A sessions: ~1 hr/every other month (highly recommended but not required, and will be recorded)
  • Thurs, Oct 17; 10:00-11:00am PT
  • Thurs, Nov 14; 11:00am-12:00pm PT
  • Wed, Jan 15; 11:00am-12:00pm PT
  • Wed, Feb 19; 10:00-11:00am PT

Financial Details

Please consider the amount you would be able to afford in order to participate in Living Dharma Program (LDP). 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.

Standard Sliding Scale:
Benefactor – $1700
Sustainer – $1350
Basic – $1008

Scholarship Rates Sliding Scale:
Scholarship Rate 1 – $900
Mudita/Karuna Scholarship Rate – $700
BIPOC Scholarship Rate – $700

Financial Details and Assistance

Participating in the Living Dharma Program will require your commitment of both time and financial resources. Payment plans are available for all levels of the sliding scale.

ALL participants have the option of paying in full, or a 25% deposit, at the time of registration. The remainder of any unpaid balance may be divided into equal monthly installments* that will start the month following your paid deposit to the end of January 2025. All fees should be paid in full by this time. Installments can only be set up on credit cards; and will be automatically set up using the same card you used to pay your deposit. *Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for those with extreme financial hardship. If you need to withdraw from the program, the following fee structure will apply. Please reach out to us at: registration@spiritrock.org.

Cancellation Policy

$50 non-refundable, flat fee for all applicants prior to August 31st (deducted from deposit)
10% fee** = September 1 – September 13
25% fee** = September 14 – September 28
50% fee** = September 29 – October 20
No refunds = On or after October 21
**Cancellation fee is a percentage of the total amount agreed to pay. These fees apply to all participants. Late cancellations do not allow us time to fill a vacated spot in the program. All fees help to support future scholarships at Spirit Rock.