Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light (292A27) - Self-Paced/Online

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on September 2, 2026, and closes 3:00pm (Pacific Time) on December 18, 2027. Recordings* will be available for this program.

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We’re offering this retreat in three formats over the same dates.
1. On-land Residential Retreat: Learn more here
2. Online Retreat (via Zoom)
3. Self-paced/Online (via Live Broadcast)

Description:

The winter solstice is an invitation to pause, turn inward, and to meet ourselves where we are. Amidst the busyness of the holiday season, this silent retreat offers a chance to quiet the mind, settle into the body, and open the heart.

Our practice will follow the rhythm of the season itself: leaning into the darkness—meeting our difficulties, sorrows, and uncertainty with honesty and care—while welcoming the light of our innate joy, wisdom, and love. We practice holding both with balance and tenderness.

The retreat includes complete meditation instructions, stillness and movement practice, daily lovingkindness, Dharma talks, individual practice discussions, and a Winter Solstice ceremony.

On-Land Teachers: Oren Sofer, devon hase, Dawn Scott, Kimi Mojica (movement)
Online Teacher: Heather Sundberg

*Recording Note: For BOTH online formats, if you would like access to the recordings, you must register by the deadline above.

Self-Paced/Online Retreat Details:
Our Self-Paced Retreat option allows you to participate fully from wherever you are, bringing the stillness directly into your home. Each day includes 2–3 hours of meditation instruction, Dharma teachings, mindful movement, and heart practices, livestreamed from Spirit Rock’s Upper Meditation Hall and recorded for on-demand access.

Practicing from home allows the retreat to unfold gently within the rhythms of your own life. You may join live when you’re able, move at your own pace, and revisit the teachings as often as you wish—whether you follow the full daily schedule or spread the content out over several weeks. All sessions are available within 24 hours and include unlimited replay, offering a flexible and supportive way to turn inward and release what no longer serves you.

While the Self-Paced Retreat format does not include teacher meetings, small groups, Q&A, or affinity groups, it offers the gift of practicing in your own sanctuary. You can create your retreat space, follow your nervous system’s natural pacing, and allow the teachings to weave organically into daily life. With lifetime access to the recordings, the retreat can continue to nourish your practice long after it concludes.

Included:

• Live video broadcast from the meditation hall of all Dharma talks, meditations, and other instructions
• Retreat homepage – includes retreat schedule, access to recordings, other resources
• Recordings of all Dharma talks and meditations, video and audio

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Online-Hybrid Retreat Details:
The online retreat will be offered via Zoom and will include: meditation instructions, Dharma talks, and opportunities to ask questions during Q&A with on-land teachers, broadcasted live from Spirit Rock’s Upper Meditation Hall. There will also be practice meetings on Zoom with a dedicated online Spirit Rock teacher, as well as online affinity groups. Please note: the on-land teachers will not offer practice meetings to online practitioners.

Included:

• Broadcast of all Dharma talks, meditations, and other instructions
• Retreat homepage – includes retreat schedule, access to recordings, other resources
• Recordings of all teacher-led sessions
• Practice meetings with the online teacher
• Opportunity to ask questions during Q&A with the on-land teachers
• Online affinity groups (optional)

FOR BOTH Online Retreat formats:
Opening Day Start Time: TBD ~7:00pm PT
Closing Day End Time: TBD ~11:00am PT

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Financial Details

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.

Self-Paced/Online Retreat Fees: (NO small groups; livestream/live broadcast only)
Sustainer – $199
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $99

Online-Hybrid Retreat Fees: (with small group meetings)
Sustainer Rate – $399
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $199

For either online format: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 3:00pm PT on the day prior to the program start.

Online and Self-Paced Retreat Cancellation Policy:

• $50 fee = on or before 2 days prior to program start (Pacific Time)
• NO refund = less than 2 days prior to program start (applies to ALL participants)

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