One metaphor for sati (mindfulness) is water. Like water, sati is transparent. It can take the shape of whatever it is aware of, and allow an intimacy, a deep knowing, of whatever awareness is shining its light on. Sometimes in the suttas, sati is described as limpid, meaning undarkened. The metaphor of seeing clearly runs through this practice. Limpid is used to describe eyes that are unclouded, eyes that are clear. When sati grows in strength, it’s effortless. It just effortlessly knows experience.
Dawn Scott
Residential Retreat Teacher
Dawn Scott has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2008 and served as the Family Program Coordinator for eight years at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She is a graduate of the Insight Meditation Society’s 2017 – 2021 teacher training program, a co-principal teacher of Marin Sangha, and is a core teacher of Spirit Rock’s Liberation, Emptiness, and Awareness Practices (LEAP) Program and the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and Insight Meditation's joint program, Exploring the Heart of Freedom. Dawn has a deep love of long retreat practice and the Buddha's liberating teachings.
Dawn Scott's Upcoming Programs
Retreat | On-Land
December 18 - December 23, 2024 | Wednesday - Monday | 5 nights
Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light
This retreat will focus on centering ourselves during the holidays, quieting our minds, grounding in our bodies, opening our hearts, and using inquiry to energize our practice. Special emphasis will be placed on opening to the darkness, including our difficulties and challenges, and opening to the coming light—to the beauty, joy, wisdom, and love within and around us. The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, daily lovingkindness and Qigong practice, evening talks, practice discussions, and a Winter Solstice ceremony.
Retreat | Online | Hybrid
December 18 - December 23, 2024 | Wednesday - Monday | 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light
This retreat will focus on centering ourselves during the holidays, quieting our minds, grounding in our bodies, opening our hearts, and using inquiry to energize our practice. Special emphasis will be placed on opening to the darkness, including our difficulties and challenges, and opening to the coming light—to the beauty, joy, wisdom, and love within and around us. The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, daily lovingkindness and Qigong practice, evening talks, practice discussions, and a Winter Solstice ceremony.
Retreat | On-Land
December 27 - January 3, 2025 | Friday - Friday | 7 nights
New Year's Insight Meditation Retreat
This is a traditional Insight Meditation (vipassanā) retreat with stillness and moving in silence, as well as regular meetings with teachers. Each day there will be systematic meditation instructions, Dharma talks, and movement practice. We will mark the turning of the year with a late evening meditation and simple ceremony on New Year’s Eve. In celebration of the New Year, our focus will be on cultivating loving awareness and embracing each moment as fresh and new. All are welcome.
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Dawn Scott through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.