Winter Solstice Retreat (318R21)
Heather Sundberg, Oren Jay Sofer, SEP and Dawn Scott
December 18 - 23, 2021
Registration open until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on December 17, 2021. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early.
Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light
Description:
This retreat will support centering ourselves during the time of the December holiday season and the New Year, through quieting our minds, grounding in our bodies, and opening our hearts. There will be special emphasis on embracing the darkness, to including our difficulties and challenges, and to welcoming the coming light — including joy, wisdom, and love. The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation instructions, daily loving kindness and Qigong practice, evening dharma talks, practice check in’s, and a Winter Solstice ceremony.
All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.
Tentative Retreat Schedule: (Subject to change)
All times below are in US Pacific Time Zone
Opening Day; Saturday, December 18, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.** Orientation: Practical and Technical Matters. Required for All Retreatants
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Break
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.** Opening Program including Short Talk, Refuges & Precepts and and Sitting Meditation
Days 1 – 4: Sunday – Wednesday
7:00 a.m.** Sitting Meditation lightly guided
7:30 a.m. At Home Practice
9:00 a.m.** Morning Instructions and Sitting Meditation
10:00 a.m. Walking Meditation or Small Groups (as assigned)
10:45 a.m.* Sitting Meditation
11:30 a.m. Walking Meditation or Small Groups (as assigned)
12:30 p.m. At Home Practice
2:30 p.m.** Guided Qi Gong Practice
3:15 p.m. Walking Meditation
4:00 p.m.** Guided Heart Practice Meditation
5:00 p.m. Short Break
5:15 p.m.** Dharma Talk
6:15 p.m. Short Break
6:30 p.m.** Short Closing Guided Meditation, Metta, Chanting, or Merit Practice
7:00 p.m. Close of Formal Day of Practice/At Home Practice in the Evening
Closing Day; Thursday, December 23, 2021
7:00 a.m.** Sitting Meditation lightly guided by Dawn
7:30 a.m. At-Home Practice
9:00 a.m.** Closing Session
10:30 a.m. End of Retreat
* Zoom Silent Group Sitting Meditation
** Zoom Instruction Session, please attend
About the Teachers
Heather Sundberg
Heather Sundberg has taught Insight Meditation since 1999 and has taught residential retreats regularly at Spirit Rock since 2001. She completed the Spirit Rock/IMS Teacher Training program under Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein. Beginning her own meditation practice in her late teens, for the last three decades, Heather has studied with senior teachers in the […]
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Oren Jay Sofer, SEP
Oren Jay Sofer teaches meditation and communication internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University, is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication, and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for the healing of trauma. Oren is also the author of several books, including the best-seller "Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent […]
Learn more about Oren Jay Sofer, SEP
Dawn Scott
Dawn Scott has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2008 and served as the Family Program Coordinator for eight years at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She is a graduate of the Insight Meditation Society’s 2017 – 2021 teacher training program, a co-principal teacher of Marin Sangha, and is a core teacher of Spirit Rock’s Liberation, Emptiness, […]
Learn more about Dawn Scott