Prerequisite: You must have at least 14 days of silent vipassana retreat experience to be eligible to attend this retreat.


The teachings of mindfulness include an emphasis on awareness of objects (experiences) that arise in the mind and the actual experience of awareness itself -- "that which knows." As students deepen their practice, the importance of awareness as a phenomenon that is to be understood becomes increasingly important for the development of insight. In this retreat we will explore the nature of awareness in its many manifestations and its implications for liberation. The aspiration is for students to develop their own direct experience of awareness and to be able to skillfully access it both in their formal practice and in daily life.


To support the reflection and investigation of awareness there will be extra talks, special inquiry exercises, and discussion groups. To support direct meditation on awareness, the retreat will include regular sitting and walking periods. The retreat will be held in silence.


It is our wish to support the practice needs of meditators in early adulthood. To this end, Spirit Rock extends a special invitation to young adults (age 18-26) who wish to attend this retreat at a special rate of $25 per night, on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of special rates are available and all applications will be included in the lottery.

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Also remember that the cost above is priced as a sliding scale. Please pay at the highest level of the sliding scale that you can afford. This allows others who need to pay less the opportunity to attend. Fee is for room and board. Teaching and staffing of the retreats is by donation at the end of the retreat. For more information, see Retreat FAQ.