March 6 @ 7pm: MaMuse LIVE! ♬

Cultivating Equanimity: The Happiness of a Heart in Balance and Peace

November 27 - December 3, 2023
Silent meditation retreat On-Land

Cultivating Equanimity: The Happiness of a Heart in Balance and Peace

Equanimity is a crown jewel of Buddhist practice, the unshakable balance of mind-heart born of the perfection of wisdom and love. It is neither aloof nor cool, as mistakenly imagined, but imbues the heart with tremendous stability and caring presence to neither push away nor drown in experience. Equanimity is the fourth and final brahmavihāra (heavenly dwelling), imbuing lovingkindness, compassion, and vicarious joy with balance. As the seventh factor of awakening, its development is needed for advancing in the path. It guards the mind-heart in the midst of the eight worldly winds of gain/loss, fame/disrepute, pleasure/pain, and praise/blame, which afflict our human lives at one time or another. Equanimity is such a rich and deep teaching that the Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification), teaches ten different types of equanimity. Cultivating equanimity is paramount for a heart-mind in balance, peace, and happiness at every stage of our practice.

Sliding Scale Pricing

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.

$780

Subsidized rate for this program.
Covers part of the program cost.

  • Mostly subsidized
  • Not tax-deductible
  • Shared or single accommodations

$3120

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

$2460

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

$1890

Our standard rate.
The foundation of our community.

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

$1230

Partially subsidized.
Made possible by community generosity.

  • Makes programs more accessible
  • Not tax-deductible

Financial Aid

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.

$330

For those facing financial hardship, including elders 65+ on fixed incomes, or those with serious or life-threatening illnesses.

  • Not tax-deductible
  • Shared or single accommodations

$330

For those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and need financial assistance to attend a program.

  • Not tax-deductible
  • Shared or single accommodations

$50

One-time award for new meditators (age 27–55) with financial need attending their first silent residential retreat (ever!)

  • Not tax-deductible
  • Shared or single accommodations

$330

For young adults (ages 18–26) experiencing financial need who wish to attend a program and deepen their practice.

  • 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.

Meet the Teaching Team

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD

Teacher

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and Artificial Intelligence scientist. She was empowered by the living Burmese meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, with whom she practiced the jhanas and detailed analytical vipassana. She serves as a Stewarding Teacher and on the Board of Directors at Spirit Rock.

Sylvia Boorstein, PhD

Sylvia Boorstein, PhD

Teacher

Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, has taught Dharma and mindfulness meditation since 1985 and is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock. A psychologist as well as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she emphasizes daily life, citizenship, and social activism as integral to practice. Her books include It’s Easier Than You Think, Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There, That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist, Pay Attention for Goodness’ Sake, and Happiness Is an Inside Job.

Bonnie Duran

Bonnie Duran

Teacher

Bonnie Duran met the Dharma in 1982 and has received teachings from many Western and Thai, Burmese, and Tibetan teachers. Bonnie is a graduate of the IMS/SRMC retreat teacher-training program and is on the SRMC Guiding Teachers Council. Dr. Duran is a professor emeritus at the University of Washington

Liz Powell, LMFT

Liz Powell, LMFT

Teacher

Practicing vipassana since 2004, Liz Powell is currently in Nature Dharma Teacher Training with Susie Harrington, Mark Coleman and Gil Fronsdal. A graduate of Local Dharma Leader Training at Insight Meditation Center (IMC), as well as DPP4 and APP1 at Spirit Rock, she has taught programs at IMC since 2009.

Janice Clarfield

Janice Clarfield

Teacher

Janice Clarfield has been a student of yoga and meditation for more than 25 years. She has studied related body/mind practices including dance, somatic psychotherapy and energy medicine. The intention of the work is to deepen experience, understanding and enjoyment while integrating physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual well-being. In this way, the practice becomes a creative and healing art.

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.