The Heart of Awareness: Exploring the Foundations of Mindfulness (302R26) - On Land
Will Kabat-Zinn, MA and Lienchi Tran
January 23 - 27, 2026
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on January 22, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.
In need of a scholarship? – see “Scholarship offerings” information below.
Description
In this retreat we will be immersing ourselves in what are traditionally called the Four Foundations of Mindfulness—mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, and the tendencies of mind that lead to suffering or liberation. This is a powerful practice framework for cultivating openhearted awareness with the full dimensionality of our human experience and liberating insight into the nature of mind and experience itself.
Mindfulness is often considered to be the heart of Buddhist meditation. As the Theravāda monk and Buddhist scholar, Nyanaponika Thera, put it in his classic work, The Heart of Buddhist Meditation: “Mindfulness is the unfailing master key for knowing the mind, and is thus the starting point; the perfect tool for shaping the mind, and is thus the focal point; and the lofty manifestation of the achieved freedom of the mind, and is thus the culminating point.”
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Teacher-in-Training: Brett Wheeler
Financial Details
Sliding Scale fees are for 4 nights including food and lodging. 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.
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.
Supporter Rate w/guaranteed single room – $2400
Benefactor Rate – $1920
Sustainer Rate – $1440
Basic Rate – $960
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $380
Scholarship offerings: Scholarships are limited to those with significant financial need. If you need a scholarship to attend, do not continue registering now as this will disqualify you from a scholarship opportunity in this retreat. We encourage you to complete the Scholarship Interest Form – Click Here. Scholarship allocation dates are included in the form.
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.
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. 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 – $720
Basic-Commuter – $480
Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats
About the Teachers

Will Kabat-Zinn, MA
Will Kabat-Zinn, MA has been practicing meditation for over two decades and has spent extended time in silent retreat both in the US and in Burma. He is passionate about helping people put into practice and experience for themselves the liberating power of mindfulness. Will has taught meditative practices to diverse populations including, educators, scientists, […]
Learn more about Will Kabat-Zinn, MA
Lienchi Tran
Lienchi Tran was raised in a Buddhist family and began practicing meditation in 1984. With deep dedication to the path, she ordained and trained extensively, drawing wisdom from the teachings of Sayadaw U Tejaniya, her primary teacher. Her approach to meditation emphasizes intuitive awareness, practical insight, and compassionate understanding. Today, she shares the Dharma through […]
Learn more about Lienchi TranCategories : Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat