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

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on December 3, 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? – details 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).*

Supporter Rate w/single room guarantee – $4,200
Benefactor – $3,360
Sustainer – $2,520
Basic – $1,680
Scholarship Rates (BIPOC; M/K; YA) – $665
*Registration fees DO NOT include teacher dana. At the end of the retreat, there will be an opportunity to offer dana to the teachers and to Spirit Rock.

Scholarship offerings: All scholarship rates require a minimum fee. These rates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to those with significant financial needs. Scholarships are limited to TWO per calendar year for on-land retreats. And, while we are not able to offer “pay what you can” type of scholarships for residential retreats, we invite you to email us if the lowest rate does not fit your circumstance.

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

CANCELLATION POLICY (Residential Retreats):**
Standard Cancellation Fees:

• $100 On or before 8 weeks
• $175 4-8 weeks before
• $300 2-4 weeks before
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before

Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:

• $75 On or before 8 weeks
• $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