Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light (292R27) - On Land

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on September 2, 2026, and closes 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on December 17, 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.

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

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

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

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

On-land/Residential Retreat Details:
Arrival Time: 2:30-4:30pm PT
Departure Time: 11:00am PT

Residential Retreat Sliding Scale:*
Sliding Scale fees are for 5 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.

Supporter Rate w/single room guarantee – $3,225
Benefactor Rate – $2,575
Sustainer Rate – $1,925
Basic Rate – $1,300
Scholarship Rates (BIPOC; Mudita/Karuna; or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $500
Present Parent Scholarship (low-to-modest income parent/legal guardian raising children under 18) – $50**
**See eligibility requirements here >> Financial Support FAQs

*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.

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 2 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 for the on-land retreat:
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 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 questions about being a retreat commuter, please email Registration@spiritrock.org

Commuter Sliding Scale:
Sustainer-Commuter – $975
Basic-Commuter – $650

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats