The Magic of Awareness (384R26) - On Land

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 7, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on November 21, 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.

Prerequisite: Completion of at least one 7-night silent residential Insight Meditation retreat (online retreats are not eligible)

Description

The paradox of awareness is profound and yet very simple. It can’t be described because it has no objective qualities and no limitations. Sometimes it comes naturally to the surface when we are fully in the present moment and no longer lost in thoughts or mental projections. Awareness is neither pleasant nor unpleasant, neither good nor bad.

In this retreat, we will learn how to pay attention to this quality of awareness through formal and informal meditation. Once we know how to pay attention, it can be experienced in an instant, in all circumstances. When we learn to reside in that liberated mind, we find the very thing we have been seeking all along.

This retreat includes silent stillness and movement periods combined with instructions and practice meetings with teachers and daily Dharma talks. This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.

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

Teacher-in-Training: Alexa Redner

Financial Details

Sliding Scale fees are for 8 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 – $4880
Benefactor Rate – $3920
Sustainer Rate – $2960
Basic Rate – $1960
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $760

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 (Aug 30)
• $100: 8-12 weeks before (Sep 1 – Sep 27)
• $175: 4-8 weeks before (Sep 28 – Oct 25)
• $300: 2-4 weeks before (Oct 26 – Nov 8)
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Nov 9)

Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:

• Full refund: On or before 12 weeks (Aug 30)
• $75: 8-12 weeks before (Sep 1 – Sep 27)
• $100: 4-8 weeks before (Sep 28 – Oct 25)
• $200: 2-4 weeks before (Oct 26 – Nov 8)
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Nov 9)

*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. IMPORTANT NOTE!! If this retreat has a stronger prerequisite requirement than the minimum commuter prerequisite above, the retreat requirement OVERRIDES the commuter requirement.

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 – $1480
Basic-Commuter – $1000

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats