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Finding Freedom through Insight Meditation

January 18 - January 25, 2024
Silent meditation retreat On-Land

Finding Freedom through Insight Meditation

Insight Meditation is a simple and direct practice based on moment-to-moment awareness, a technique that opens the heart and clears the mind. This retreat offers an opportunity to practice continuous mindfulness in silence throughout the day, in both sitting and walking meditation. In the silence, we are freed from much of the daily barrage of stimulus that draws our attention outward, letting us delve deeply inward. Learning to be aware of our experience from a place of equanimity allows us to see more clearly, such that compassion and wisdom can arise.

This retreat is designed for beginners and experienced practitioners alike and will include meditation instruction, Dharma talks, chanting, and discussion time with the teachers.

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.

$1015

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

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

$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

$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

$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

$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.

$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

$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

$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.

Meet the Teaching Team

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.

Neesha Patel, PhD

Neesha Patel, PhD

Teacher

Neesha is inspired by the call to awakening and is deeply grateful for the Buddha’s teachings. She has learned and practiced the dhamma in both Asia and the US. Her practice has been influenced by many wonderful teachers in the Insight, Tibetan and Chan/Zen traditions

bruni dávila

bruni dávila

Teacher

bruni dávila has practiced Insight Meditation and Zen since 1995, and teaches mettā and vipassanā retreats in English and Spanish. She was trained and empowered to teach by the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) and IMC. bruni is drawn to and inspired by long retreat practice and Dharma in daily life.

Shelly Graf

Shelly Graf

Teacher

Shelly Graf has been practicing in the Insight Meditation tradition since 2003. They are a graduate of Insight Meditation Society’s four-year teacher training program and currently serve as one of the Guiding Teachers at Common Ground Meditation Center in Minneapolis, MN.

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.