Winter Insight Meditation Retreat (200R27) - On Land
Howard Cohn, MA, Erin Treat, Leslie Booker and Teresa Todoroff
January 5 - 11, 2027
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on July 15, 2026, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on Jan 4, 2027. 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
The Buddha’s teachings and meditation practices remind us of the ever-present possibility of waking up to a sense of well-being, presence, and true nature that does not depend on circumstances. This silent Insight Meditation (vipassanā) retreat is designed for both new and experienced meditators, and will include systematic instructions in vipassanā meditation following the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The retreat will also include lovingkindness meditation, meetings with teachers, and evening talks highlighting the central teachings of the Buddha and their practical application to our lives.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Sliding Scale fees are for 6 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 – $3750
Benefactor Rate – $3000
Sustainer Rate – $2250
Basic Rate – $1500
Toni Ko Scholarship Rate (1st time retreatants, ages 27-55 yrs) – $50
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $570
Scholarship offerings: Scholarships are limited to those with significant financial need. If you need a scholarship to attend, we encourage you to complete the Scholarship Interest Form once it becomes available on July 15, 2026. Scholarship allocations dates are included in the form, but generally occur 4-5 months prior to the start of the retreat.
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
- $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. (“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 – $110
Basic-Commuter – $750
Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats
About the Teachers
Howard Cohn, MA
Howard Cohn, MA, has a master’s in Counseling Psychology and has practiced meditation since 1972 and has led Vipassana retreats since 1985. He leads a weekly ongoing class in San Francisco. Howard has studied with many Asian and Western teachers of several traditions, including Theravada, Zen, Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta, and has been strongly influenced […]
Learn more about Howard Cohn, MA
Erin Treat
Erin Treat has been practicing Buddhist meditation for nearly 30 years. She is the Guiding Teacher of Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center in northern New Mexico and served as Guiding Teacher of the Durango Dharma Center. Erin teaches the practical and the profound, from a heart grounded in respect for mystery and the many faces of […]
Learn more about Erin Treat
Leslie Booker
Booker is a heart-centered, spirit-driven activist and meditation teacher committed to creating a culture of belonging through her teaching and writing. She trained at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in their Mindful Yoga and Meditation (2012), Community Dharma Leaders (2017), and Retreat Teacher training programs (2020). Outside of her formal training, she shared the practices of […]
Learn more about Leslie Booker
Teresa Todoroff
Teresa joyfully revels in the precious opportunity to practice and serve the Dhamma. She began her contemplative inquiries as an adolescent and has been committed to the path of liberation, wisdom and compassion ever since. Her practice has been informed by many years leading young adults, retreat centers, and diverse communities across the US and […]
Learn more about Teresa TodoroffCategories : Hide Commuter, Hide Scholarships, Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat