Silence Behind the Noise - A Monastic Retreat (322R26) - On Land

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on May 17, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.

Description

The sound of silence is an ever present quality that we can learn to recognize and attune to. Although we refer to it as a “sound,” it may be perceived as vibration, as luminosity, or a high-pitched frequency. By sensing into this quality via any of these three channels, we can discover the mind’s innate capacity to settle and open. Throughout this retreat, we will be exploring different ways this practice can be experienced, allowing our systems to take a break from chronic overstimulation by resting into the silence behind the noise.

The retreat is offered in keeping with the 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastic tradition. Providing the experience of five days in the monastic life, this retreat has some qualities not usually found on other retreats, such as daily periods of devotional chanting and an adherence to the Eight Precepts (which includes not taking solid food between midday and the following dawn). This retreat will also include group sitting and walking meditation, individual practice, practice meetings with teachers, and Dharma talks.

This retreat is open to all genders. This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.

There are no late arrivals, early departures, or exits during the retreat; no exceptions. This is at the request of the nuns and out of respect for them and the retreat container.

The Eight Precepts
1. Not intentionally killing or harming any living creatures.
2. Not stealing, or concerning oneself with the possessions of others.
3. Not engaging in sexual activity of any kind.
4. Not lying or using speech harmfully. (On retreat this precept is usually observed as Noble Silence–keeping the silence unless there is a practical necessity to speak.)
5. Not taking intoxicating drink or drugs.
6. Not eating after mid-day. (Optional*)
7. Not seeking amusements or wearing special bodily adornment. (On retreat one dresses and acts in a modest and restrained manner.)
8. Not using sleep indulgently.

*PLEASE NOTE: Retreatants are encouraged to keep the 8 Precepts for the entire length of this retreat. For those who choose not to keep the 6th Precept, a light supper will be available. This retreat may not be a good match if you are unable to meet the limited intake of food requirement – see “Nourishment” section below.
 
Community Spirit
During retreat we come together as community to support each other in our practice and daily activities. In this spirit we live by the Eight Precepts, keep Noble Silence, and participate in the daily routine mindfully and with awareness. 

Attire
Out of respect for the ordained sangha, please dress modestly. Loose comfortable clothing is recommended. Clothing should cover the area of your body from the shoulders to the knees, even if the weather warms up (i.e., above the knee shorts, yoga pants/leggings, tank tops, or low cut garments, or other revealing items would NOT be appropriate). The meditation hall is well ventilated and air conditioned if necessary, so you can expect a comfortable temperature.

Nourishment
We will eat a simple breakfast and one vegetarian meal before noon each day. We will not be providing for food preferences or allowance for eating after the noon meal (unless you are not taking Precept 6). In the spirit of establishing this retreat as an environment of monastic-style training, we ask that you gratefully accept what is offered, and simply do not take any foods that you cannot eat or eat anything not offered to you after the noon meal. This is the way of practice employed by any visitor to a monastery; it should be recognized as being very much a part of the teaching/learning process, rather than an inconvenience to be skirted around if possible. Please do not bring your own food supplies. If you have a highly restrictive diet and cannot abide by these practices, this retreat may not be a good fit at this time.

Financial Details

Registration Fee & Cancellation Policy
Spirit Rock holds this monastic retreat annually and would like to continue to do so with your support. We offer this retreat at a significantly reduced rate. A minimum $250 registration fee is required to reserve a space in this retreat and is subject to the cancellation policy below. We have determined that this discounted rate is necessary to ensure the registrant’s commitment to attending the retreat, reduce last minute cancellations, support the nuns’ efforts in planning this retreat, and support Spirit Rock in being able to financially offer this retreat. Fees are for 5 nights including food and lodging.

Supporter Rate w/guaranteed single room – $3000
Benefactor – $2400
Sustainer – $1800
Basic – $1200
Registration Fee – $250 (unlimited)

A retreat of this length would normally cost $1800. This discounted rate covers a portion of the “value of the goods and services received” by attending this retreat. For those with greater means, the standard sliding scale is available on the registration page. This discounted rate is not tax-deductible.

On the last day of the retreat, participants will be invited to offer dana or make offerings in two categories: support for the retreat teachers and support for Spirit Rock. The word “dana” means generosity and simply translates into a heartfelt donation. Your support offered to the teachers and to Spirit Rock will help us continue to offer this unique annual monastic retreat and everything we do here. To read more about the practice of dāna, go to Dāna: The Practice of Generosity.

Cancellation Policy (for this Monastic Retreat)
Full refund: on or before 8 weeks
$175 fee: 4-8 weeks prior
No refunds: less than 4 weeks prior

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.

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 – $900
Basic-Commuter – $600

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats