For those who feel a deep connection to the Buddhist path, and to Insight Meditation in particular, the Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP) offers a unique opportunity to deeply engage with the Buddha’s teachings and strengthen your meditation practice within a diverse, supportive community.
A Two-Year Journey of Deep Practice and Study
This two-year intensive program includes five week-long residential retreats, monthly coursework, regular group meetings, “Dharma buddy” sessions, and mentorship from experienced teachers. Participants commit to a formal daily practice, using the teachings to explore the individual and collective dimensions of suffering and liberation.
DPP blends structured study with personal engagement, where the six months between retreats are dedicated to embodying the Eightfold Path and integrating the Dharma into everyday life. In past cycles, participants reported profound impacts on their meditation practice, deepening their understanding of core Buddhist teachings and bringing the Dharma alive in new, unexpected ways.
Eligibility and Next Steps Toward Joining the Program
The program is open to experienced practitioners with a minimum total of 5 years daily Dharma practice, a letter of recommendation from a sponsoring teacher, and at least 50 nights of silent, residential retreat practice. If you have not yet met these prerequisites, consider attending one of Spirit Rock's upcoming retreats to fulfill the requirements and connect with a teacher before the program begins.
“I got so much out of DPP as a participant that it feels like a great blessing to be part of its continuation,” explains DPP teacher, Gullu Singh. “I love working with and being in community with sincere practitioners, and the program is especially great for deepening and maturing one’s understanding of the teachings.”
Warm, rigorous, and deeply enriching, DPP offers a rare opportunity to grow in wisdom, compassion, and ethical living alongside a dedicated community. If you feel called to deepen your practice in this way, we encourage you to apply—or reach out with any questions to [email protected].
Apply by August 15, 2025. Applications submitted after this date will go to the waitlist and will be considered after the initial round of acceptances.