Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light (394R26) - On Land

Please only register for one of the two formats: On Land or Online.

Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 7, 2025, and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on December 17, 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 on the land

Description

Throughout this residential retreat, we will focus on centering ourselves at the time of the holidays and the New Year, quieting our minds, grounding in our bodies, opening up our hearts, and using inquiry to help give energy to our practice. Special emphasis will be placed on opening to the darkness, including to our difficulties and challenges, and opening to the coming light—to the beauty, joy, wisdom, and love within and around us. The retreat will include complete meditation instructions, stillness and movement meditation, daily lovingkindness practice, daily Qigong practice, evening talks, 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, Yong Oh, and David Cabrera (movement)
Online Teacher: Heather Sundberg

Interested in joining the online retreat instead? Learn more here.

Financial Details

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.

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 – $3050
Benefactor Rate – $2450
Sustainer Rate – $1850
Basic Rate – $1225
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult [ages 18-26 yrs]) – $475

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 interest 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 2 weeks prior to the retreat start.

Cancellation Policy (Residential Retreats):**
Standard Cancellation Fees:

• $50: On or before 12 weeks (Sept 25)
• $100: 8-12 weeks before (Sept 26 – Oct 23)
• $175: 4-8 weeks before (Oct 24 – Nov 20)
• $300: 2-4 weeks before (Nov 21 – Dec 4)
• No refunds less than 2 weeks before (Dec 5)

Scholarship and Commuter Rate Cancellation Fees:

• Full: On or before 12 weeks (Sept 25)
• $75: 8-12 weeks before (Sept 26 – Oct 23)
• $100: 4-8 weeks before (Oct 24 – Nov 20)
• $200: 2-4 weeks before (Nov 21 – Dec 4)
• No refunds less than 2 weeks before (Dec 5)

**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 – $925
Basic-Commuter – $625

Current Covid-19 Safety Protocols for residential retreats