The Way of Release: Practicing Peace in Every Moment (228R27)

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2026, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on May 15, 2027. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early.

Applying for a residential scholarship? – see our Financial Support FAQ’s.
Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.

Retreat to be held: Spirit Rock’s Upper Retreat Hall

Description

Our path of practice leads to a destination: peace. Can we engage with practice such that our attitude along the path embodies the qualities of the destination? Can we embody every moment of awareness with release, so that we are continuously cultivating goodwill and freedom? Can we avoid the pitfall of the practice becoming a struggle, or worse, a grim duty? Can we mindfully nourish our minds and hearts with the wholesome happiness available on the path?

At the heart of awakening is release —the gentle dropping away of unseen assumptions and unhelpful patterns. Through cultivating embodied awareness, we gently train the heart-mind in friendliness and well-being. From here, release into peace begins to weave itself into each moment on and off the cushion, serving awakening for the sake of all beings and ourselves.

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

>>For the URH retreat: *This retreat will be held concurrently with another, with all sessions located in the Upper Meditation Hall in the upper campus. It offers a unique opportunity to practice in a smaller, more intimate retreat environment.

Financial Details

Sliding Scale fees are for 7 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 – $4375
Benefactor Rate – $3500
Sustainer Rate – $2625
Basic Rate – $1750
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $665

Pay in full or Payment plan: You can either pay in full or pay a minimum 30% deposit when you register. Payment plans are available to everyone! If you choose the deposit option, the remaining balance will be automatically set up and 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 (February 21)
• $100: 8-12 weeks before (March 21)
• $175: 4-8 weeks before (April 18)
• $300: 2-4 weeks before (May 2)
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before

Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:

• Full refund: On or before 12 weeks (February 21)
• $75: 8-12 weeks before (March 21)
• $100: 4-8 weeks before (April 18)
• $200: 2-4 weeks before (May 2)
• 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. (“Personal circumstances” could be situations like if you are a sole caregiver, or parent w/young children where you need to be home each night, for example.)

Prerequisite for Commuters:
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 at their own expense. 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 additional questions about being a retreat commuter, please email Registration@spiritrock.org

Commuter Sliding Scale:
Sustainer-Commuter – $1330
Basic-Commuter – $875

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats