Transforming the Judgmental Mind, Cultivating the Wise Heart (388R26) - On Land

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 7, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on November 30, 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.

Retreat to be held: in the Community Meditation Center; it is a concurrent retreat with another retreat happening at the same time.

Description

Judgments—often reactive and automatic—are deeply embedded in both our personal lives and the dominant culture. They can distort our perceptions, make relationships with others difficult, and undermine our work in the world. In this retreat, we will explore the nature of such judgments (and their difference from non-reactive discernment) and how to transform them. Together, we will cultivate mindfulness, inquiry, and heart practices such as lovingkindness, forgiveness, and compassion. We will also explore the somatic and social dimensions of judgments. These tools help preserve the intelligence and energy often embedded in judgments, channeling them toward discernment and compassionate action, while transforming their destructive, compulsive aspects—often rooted in unconscious or unexamined limiting beliefs.

This retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, guided practices, talks, discussion, and basic movement practices, all in the context of a small, supportive community.

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

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 – $2440
Benefactor Rate – $1960
Sustainer Rate – $1480
Basic Rate – $980
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 (Sept 7)
• $100: 8-12 weeks before (Sept 8 – Oct 5)
• $175: 4-8 weeks before (Oct 6 – Nov 2)
• $300: 2-4 weeks before (Nov 3 – Nov 16)
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Nov 17)

Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:

• Full refund: On or before 12 weeks (Sept 7)
• $75: 8-12 weeks before (Sept 8 – Oct 5)
• $100: 4-8 weeks before (Oct 6 – Nov 2)
• $200: 2-4 weeks before (Nov 3 – Nov 16)
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before (Nov 17)

*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 – $740
Basic-Commuter – $500

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats