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Spring Insight Retreat

May 9 - May 16, 2025
Silent meditation retreat On-Land

Spring Insight Retreat

Matthew Brensilver, Brian Lesage, Tuere Sala
All the time before you were born plus all the time after you die is almost exactly all the time there is. Yet we find ourselves here, alive, in time, with a question: How should I live? We begin by listening deeply. The Buddha suggested we have underestimated the capacity of our hearts. Retreat helps us to remember. Together, we'll sit in the refuge provided by a 2,600-year legacy of wisdom and kindness. In this silence, we come to know the preciousness of life and the poignancy of the human condition. We discover a way of opening to the intensity of the human condition such that our heart is softened rather than hardened. During this retreat, we will offer systematic instructions in mindfulness meditation, as well as in lovingkindness practice. Throughout the retreat there will also be Dharma talks and meetings with teachers to support you in your practice.

Sliding Scale Pricing

We offer our retreats on a sliding scale to make the Dharma accessible to all.
By selecting the highest rate you're able to afford, you help support Spirit Rock's ability to offer lower rates and meet the growing number of scholarship requests. Your generosity sustains our nonprofit mission and ensures that these teachings of lovingkindness and wisdom remain available to everyone.

$4200

Maximum generosity.
Helps the dharma remain accessible to all.

  • Covers all costs with generous offering
  • Supports reduced rates and scholarships
  • Tax-deductible amount above Sustainer rate
  • Guaranteed single room

$3360

Generous support.
Helps the community and teachings.

  • Covers all costs with meaningful contribution
  • Supports our work and future programs
  • Tax-deductible amount above Sustainer rate
  • Higher chance of single room

$2520

Our standard rate.
The foundation of our community.

  • Covers food, lodging, and program costs
  • Supports program sustainability
  • Not tax-deductible
  • Shared or single accommodations

$1680

Partially subsidized.
Made possible by community generosity.

  • Makes programs more accessible
  • Not tax-deductible
  • Shared or single accommodations

Teacher Dāna

Please note that 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.

Continuing Education Credits

Please pay for CEs prior to the start of the program. You can add during checkout.

15 CE Credits: $150

This program offers 15 Continuing Education (CE) credits/contact hours for $150, applicable for , and may be applicable for other licenses. Please review our CE information page for full provider details and to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.

To be eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CEs), you must:

  • Register and pay for CEs by 4:30 p.m. PT, the business day before the program. After the program begins, no retroactive CEs will be given and the CE fee is non-refundable.
  • Attend in full and fulfill all attendance requirements and next steps. No exceptions. Please review the CE information page for attendance requirements.

Next Steps

  • Submit your professional information within one week of receiving the access link. 
  • This link will be emailed within 2 business days after the program concludes to all participants who have met the full attendance requirements. Upon submission, certificates will be automatically generated and emailed.
  • There is a 1-week period to submit professional information after the program to receive the certificate of attendance.
  • Certificates of attendance will only be issued to those who meet the attendance requirements and submit their information within the stated timeframe. Please note that only digital certificates are available.

Additional notes

  • For full Provider information, and additional CE information, including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education Credit information page.
  • For those with a different license than listed above, or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CE credit info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm the applicability of credit for those with licenses other than those listed.Incomplete attendance nullifies CE eligibility as board regulations prohibit partial credit for partial attendance. Participants cannot join a program late, have gaps in attendance, or leave early and be given “partial credit” for the hours that they were present. Certificates are issued only to those who fulfill the complete attendance requirements—without exception—to maintain compliance with our provider licenses and ensure the continuation of future CE programs.
  • Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered.
  • This program is co-sponsored by Spirit Rock and Mindful CECs. Mindful CECs is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Mindful CECs maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • Co-sponsor Mindful CECs is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985 for 15 contact hours.
  • Potential Conflict of Interest Statement: These instructors may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course. The instructors might reference these publications during the course, and they may receive financial compensation if these publications are purchased.

Meet the Teaching Team

Matthew Brensilver, PhD

Matthew Brensilver, PhD

Teacher

Matthew Brensilver teaches at the Insight Retreat Center, Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation Society. Before committing to teach meditation full-time, he spent years doing research on addiction pharmacotherapy at the UCLA Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine and continues to be interested in the dialogue between Buddhism and science.

Brian Lesage

Brian Lesage

Teacher

Brian Lesage has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1988 and taught since 2000. Ordained in the Rinzai Zen tradition in 1996, he has studied in Zen, Theravāda, and Tibetan schools. His vipassanā training includes extended retreats in Myanmar, Nepal, and India. Brian teaches nationwide and has a private Somatic Experiencing practice. He completed the SRMC/IMS/IRC teacher training in 2016.

Tuere Sala

Tuere Sala

Teacher

Tuere Sala is a Guiding Teacher at Seattle Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Retreat Center and has practiced Vipassana meditation for over 30 years. Tuere has been teaching since 2010, assisting others in establishing and maintaining a daily practice.

Helpful Info & FAQs

Cancellation Policy

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 less than 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 less than 2 weeks before

*Fees reduced for serious illness or death in family

**Monthlong retreats and Dharma Training programs have specific and very different cancellation policies. Refer back to your confirmation email for this information.**

Payment Plan Option

Payment plans are available to everyone! Installments can only be set up on a credit cards, and some debit cards (we only accept VISA, Mastercard, or Discover).

You can either pay in full or pay a 30% deposit when you register. If you choose the deposit option, the remaining balance will be automatically charged monthly in equal installments using the same card you used to pay your deposit. The payment will debit on the 'same date' of the month that you paid your deposit. Full payment is due 2 weeks prior to the retreat start.

Let us know if you need to adjust a debit date or if you need to update your credit card. Any adjustments need to be done well in advance of a scheduled debit date. We are not able to 'reverse' a charge once it has been processed.

COVID and Other Illnesses

  • While on retreat, participants live closely together and are in shared spaces; so it is very important that everyone takes steps to minimize the transmission of colds, flu, or other infectious diseases. We ask individuals who are sick to please stay home! Notify the registration department as soon as possible; cancellation fees will apply. 
  • Spirit Rock does not require proof of vaccination or compulsory testing for COVID, if you feel uncertain about this policy participants are encouraged to wear a mask for your own personal comfort, but it is not required. In advance of your retreat, please consider wearing a mask while en route to Spirit Rock via public transportation of any kind. Be mindful of attending large public gatherings where the risk of exposure is increased. If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, take a COVID test, and please reconsider coming on retreat.
  • We suggest everyone practice diligent hand hygiene (20 seconds of handwashing as often as practical).
  • If a practitioner (or teacher) becomes sick while on retreat, they will be asked to mask, and if serious, leave the retreat. We will also ask that they take a COVID antigen self-test onsite, and if they test positive for COVID-19, they must exit the retreat. We will not be able to offer a refund for mid-retreat exits.

Room Occupancy

We have double and single occupancy rooms. Many of our rooms are single occupancy (only 16 of 80 rooms are double occupancy). We offer a limited number of "guaranteed single room" rates which guarantees a single room while generously helping to support scholarships and all we do here at Spirit Rock. The remaining single rooms are not exclusive to the top end of the sliding scale; however, they are initially prioritized for those with serious medical needs.

Participation and Attendance Guidelines

Explore the practice of being on retreat - Learn more here.

  • This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings. Explore "How Retreat Works"
  • Preparing for Your Retreat
  • We strongly encourage you to read the sub-section "Retreat Guidelines and Agreements" so you understand what is required of you as a participant on this silent retreat.
  • Review a general outline of a Retreat Schedule.
  • If you have "never meditated" before, we recommend attending two to three daylong programs first! Then "graduate" to longer retreats like a 4- or 5-night retreat.
  • We would be happy to help guide you and set you up for success, please contact the Registration Department so we may have a conversation. We want you to be prepared.

Scholarship Offerings and Types

Spirit Rock Meditation Center offers several categories of scholarship types for residential retreats. Scholarship rates are limited to those with significant financial need. A scholarship application is required to be considered for any scholarship rate below. We have many requests for scholarships and cannot honor all requests.

Muditā/Karuṇa Scholarship Rate: 

  • Muditā: supports any individual who has significant financial need; this includes our low income folks and elders (65+) on fixed incomes; or young adults who have 'aged out' of the Young Adult rate.
  • Karuṇa: supports individuals who have significant financial need and have a serious medical condition(s), or life-threatening illness.

Dr. Marlene Jones People of Color Scholarship Rate: supports individuals who have significant financial need and who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of color.

Toni Ko Scholarship Rate: supports individuals who have a significant financial need, are 27-55 years old, AND are attending their FIRST silent residential retreat (limited to a 6-night retreat only) at Spirit Rock. This scholarship is a one-time award.

Young Adult Scholarship Rate: supports individuals who have significant financial need and who are between the age of 18-26 years old. If all the Young Adult rates are sold out, you may select one of the above options that applies to you.

Renunciate Monastics: Monastics in the Buddhist traditions are invited to attend Spirit Rock retreats without cost. Monastic discounts can be extended only to one having taken vows and abiding as a renunciate, living exclusively on donations and having no form of income through work or other sources. You will need to provide the monastery you are affiliated with upon registering. To learn more, contact the Registration Dept at: [email protected].

*Maximum annual scholarship limit is two per calendar year; and this limit is not a guarantee.