Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States (214R25) - On Land

Please only register for one of the two formats: On Land or Online.

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on November 13, 2024, and closes 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on March 31, 2025. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.

Needing a scholarship? – see Scholarship offerings information below.

Description:
The Buddhist path cultivates four powerful and transformative qualities: kindness, compassion, joy, and balance. These qualities are innate human capacities, and can be developed into steadfast dwelling places for the heart. Known as the brahmavihāras, or “sublime homes,” these states can serve as powerful supports both for deepening concentration and insight on the contemplative path and for responding to suffering in these troubled times. In this silent meditation retreat, we will explore techniques to develop each of the four sublime states, and to release the obstacles that hinder us from living a full life and responding meaningfully to the needs of our world. Our time together will include silent and guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, Dharma talks, instructions, Q&A and small group meetings with the teachers. This retreat is appropriate for both beginning and more experienced meditators.

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

On-Land Teachers: Oren Jay Sofer, Cara Lai, Yong Oh, Jessica Morey
Online Teacher: Gullu Singh

Interested in joining this retreat online or auditing the retreat? Learn more here.

Financial Details

Sliding Scale: 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. For this retreat we will have two other options for attending the retreat at much lower costs (online or audit/broadcast only).

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.

Sliding Scale for Residential Retreat:
Supporter Rate w/single room guarantee – $4,200
Benefactor Rate – $3,360
Sustainer Rate – $2,520
Basic Rate – $1,680
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC; M/K; YA) – $665

Scholarship offerings: Our scholarship process has changed for 2025. Scholarships are limited to those with significant financial need. If you fall into that category, please complete the Scholarship Interest Form – Click Here. Important note: If you need a scholarship to attend, DO NOT register now. Registering at Basic Rate or above will disqualify you for a scholarship in this retreat.

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 2 weeks prior to the retreat start.

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2024 – Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats have been updated..

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.

Prerequisite to Attend as a Commuter:
You must have attended at least one 7-night or two 5-night silent, Insight (vipassanā) meditation residential retreats 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:
Commuter-Sustainer – $1,260
Commuter-Basic – $840