Grief is not sequestered to the life loss of loved ones. It traverses beyond the terrain of physical death and seeps into disappointments in relationships, the loss of dreams, ancestral anguish, and unnamed disappearances. Understanding the personal nature of grief and the tenderness of being with a broken heart, we will create a container that honors all individuals moving through their sorrow.
During the retreat, we will practice silent meditation both indoors and in nature. There will be Dharma talks, embodiment practices, and meetings with teachers. The retreat will unfold with an opening ritual each morning and offer opportunities to experience silent time together in affinity groups that honor the diversity of the saṅgha. In beloved community, we will create a space of sacred refuge that offers freedom for inner reflection that deepens our mindfulness practice and brings us into closer alignment with Earth Medicine.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Teacher-in-Training: Lissa Edmond
A Special Invitation and Aspiration! Our aspiration for this retreat is to have a 50/50 ratio of BIPOC to non-BIPOC participants. Our strategy to achieve this while meeting the needs of Spirit Rock is to hold 50% of the spaces for BIPOC retreatants. We are prioritizing all BIPOC folks. After August 31st, any remaining unfilled spots will be open to all.
Choose your rate
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.
Maximum generosity.
Helps the dharma remain accessible to all.
Generous support.
Helps the community and teachings.
Our standard rate.
The foundation of our community.
Partially subsidized.
Made possible by community generosity.
Subsidized rate for this program.
Covers part of the program cost.
Needs-based assistance
Scholarships are limited to those with significant financial need.
If you need a scholarship to attend, we encourage you to select the scholarship rate that best aligns with you and your financial circumstances.
For those facing financial hardship, including elders 65+ on fixed incomes, or those with serious or life-threatening illnesses.
For those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and need financial assistance to attend a program.
One-time award for new meditators (age 27–55) with financial need attending their first 6-night residential retreat.
For young adults (ages 18–26) experiencing financial need who wish to attend a program and deepen their practice.
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.
This program offers 8.75 Continuing Education (CE) credits for $87.50 for Psychologists, California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, Nurses, and Chiropractors, and may be applicable for other licenses. Please review our CE information page for full provider information.
Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. The content of this program equips healthcare providers with the tools to recognize and address various forms of grief, including non-traditional and ambiguous losses, which are often overlooked in clinical settings. By integrating mindfulness, embodiment practices, and nature-based rituals, providers can offer holistic care that supports emotional healing and resilience in patients. Additionally, the program's focus on cultural sensitivity and community-based approaches helps healthcare professionals create more inclusive and compassionate spaces for diverse patient populations navigating grief.
To be eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CEs), you must:
November 8: No CEs
November 9 – 13
November 14: No CEs
Carol Cano, M.A., began her Dharma practice over 30 years ago at Wat Kow Tahm in Thailand. A Spirit Rock teacher and graduate of its 2017–2020 training, she co-founded Philippine Insight Meditation Community and is a core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center. Her unique teachings are deeply grounded in Basque, Native American, and Buddhist influences that braid the Dharma along indigenous wisdom and Earth-based practices. With a psychology background, she compassionately supports communities navigating spiritual ideals and modern life.
Amana Brembry Johnson is a dedicated meditation teacher and community leader with more than four decades of contemplative practice across multiple spiritual traditions. She serves as a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland, California, and is a coordinating teacher for residential retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Pamela Weiss is a Buddhist teacher in Theravada and Soto Zen, and a guiding teacher at San Francisco Insight. She has been practicing since 1987, including several years of Zen monastic training and retreat teacher training through Spirit Rock. Pamela is the author of A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism.
Renda Dionne Madrigal, Ph.D., Indigenous Clinical Psychologist, Registered Drama Therapist, Narradrama Trainer, and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner is featured as a 2022 Powerful Woman of Mindfulness (August edition). The Mindful Family Guidebook is available through Parallax Press and Penguin Random House was listed as Best Book of Mindfulness 2021 (Mindful Magazine).
Jonathan Relucio has over 20 years’ experience in social services, organizing, and leadership development. For a decade, he taught trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness in schools, clinics, and detention centers with Niroga Institute. A Spirit Rock-trained teacher, he now teaches at East Bay Meditation Center and co-founded AllThriveEd.org. Jonathan integrates mindfulness and restorative practices to support healing, racial equity, and liberation from the impacts of oppressive systems.
*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 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.
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.
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 available for retreat commuters. An added benefit of a retreat commuter, is that you could be offered a residential spot on opening day due to a very last minute cancellation. Additional fees will be due if this option is accepted.
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 (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. ("Personal circumstances" could be situations like if you are a sole caregiver, or parent w/young children where you need to be home each night, for example.)
Prerequisite for Commuters:
You must have attended at least one weeklong silent residential retreat (5-7 nights) in Insight (vipassanā) meditation PRIOR to attending this retreat. Online retreat experience is not eligible for this prerequisite.
If you have questions about being a retreat commuter, please email [email protected]
Explore the practice of being on retreat - Learn more here.
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:
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.