Reduced Rate
$1015
Subsidized rate for this program.
Covers part of the program cost.
- Mostly subsidized
- Not tax-deductible
- Shared or single accommodations
Silent meditation retreat
On-Land
Mettā Retreat
Mettā, or lovingkindness practice, is the cultivation of the intention of benevolence as the orientation of our heart and mind. It is also a path to wisdom. Through meditation, which is practiced steadfastly on retreat, we develop our capacity for mettā in order for it to manifest in an ongoing way in our daily lives.
In this retreat, we will learn the formal practice of mettā along with its companion practices of compassion, joy, and equanimity. All four of these practices—known as the brahmavihāras or divine abodes—strengthen self-confidence, self-acceptance, and steadiness of mind and heart, while revealing our fundamental disposition toward kindness. We will be joined on one day of the retreat by Sylvia Boorstein, a beloved long-time teacher of mettā.
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.
Most supportive
Supporter Rate
$4025
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
Most popular
Benefactor Rate
$3150
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
Covers Costs
Sustainer Rate
$2415
Our standard rate.
The foundation of our community.
- Covers food, lodging, and program costs
- Supports program sustainability
- Not tax-deductible
- Shared or single accommodations
Basic Rate
$1575
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.
Muditā / Karuṇa Scholarship
$420
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
BIPOC Scholarship
$420
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
Young Adult Scholarship
$420
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.
Continuing Education Credits
Please pay for CEs prior to the start of the program. You can add during checkout.
12 CE Credits: $120
This program offers 12 Continuing Education (CE) credits/contact hours for $120, 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 12 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
Donald Rothberg, PhD
Teacher
Donald Rothberg, PhD, has practiced Insight Meditation since 1976 and trained in Dzogchen, Mahāmudrā, and Hakomi psychotherapy. A former professor, he now teaches meditation, psychology, and socially engaged Buddhism. He’s led long-term training programs through the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Saybrook, and Spirit Rock. Donald served on BPF’s board and is author of The Engaged Spiritual Life and co-editor of Ken Wilber in Dialogue.
Kaira Jewel Lingo, MA
Teacher
Kaira Jewel Lingo weaves spirituality and meditation with social justice. Ordained for 15 years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s community, she now teaches in Zen and Vipassana at the intersection of racial, climate and social justice. Author of We Were Made for These Times and co-author of Healing Our Way Home.
Beth Sternlieb
Teacher
Beth Sternlieb is a teacher at InsightLA and co-director of clinical and research programs in yoga and mindfulness at the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program. Beth completed the SRMC/IMS/IRC 4-year teacher training in 2016.
Gullu Singh, JD
Teacher
Gulwinder “Gullu” Singh is Dharma teacher and corporate attorney with extensive training in both the practice and instruction of meditation. Gullu is inspired to share the Buddhist teachings as a path to well-being and a way to meet the challenges of life with more ease, grace and resiliency.
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.
Jonathan Relucio
Teacher
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.
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.