The Buddha taught that despite challenging conditions, with clear intention and right effort we can develop a heart of compassion and serenity of mind. We will explore how to access, develop and sustain these qualities of compassion and equanimity that support the process of liberation and lead to greater wisdom and kindness in our lives and in the world.
This retreat is offered in keeping with the 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastic tradition. Providing the experience of five days in the monastic life, this retreat has some qualities not usually found on other retreats, such as daily periods of devotional chanting and an adherence to the Eight Precepts (which includes not taking solid food between midday and the following dawn). This retreat will also include group sitting and walking meditation, individual practice, practice meetings with teachers, and Dharma talks.
This retreat is open to all genders. This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Attendance Requirement: There are no late arrivals, early departures, or exits during the retreat; NO exceptions. This is at the request of the nuns; and is out of respect for them and the retreat container.
For this monastic retreat and BEFORE registering, we strongly ask you to review the "Monastic Retreat: Guidelines and Precepts" below for important details on attendance, precepts, community expectations, attire, and nourishment.
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.
Discounted registration for this program.
Covers a small portion of the retreat cost.
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.
Ayya Ānandabodhī has lived and practiced as a Buddhist nun for over 30 years. Ayya brings together her training in the Thai Forest tradition with the contemporary Bhikkhunī lineage, which has its roots in ancient India and its branches and fruits in the modern world.
Ayyā Suvijjānā started practicing meditation in the Soto Zen tradition in 1976 and, in 1998, vipassanā and the Theravāda tradition. Ayyā’s focus for meditation practice has been Four Element, mindfulness of breathing and mettā (lovingkindness). It is her joy to share her understanding of the Dhamma and meditation with others.
Niyyanika Bhikkhuni (they/them) entered monastic life in 2014, with full ordination in December, 2017. They share Dhamma through Sutta-based embodiment practices focused on lovingkindness, compassion, settling, and equanimity. Ayya explores identities as ways to grow understanding of conditionality, becoming, letting go, and true safety. They love seeing the Dhamma unfold.
Monica Magtoto is an artist, yoga instructor, energy worker, curanderismo practitioner, and tarot reader based in San Francisco, CA. Monica weaves modalities from her lifelong studies of energy and movement with curanderismo, spirituality, and her artwork. Her mission is to empower folks in walking through all of life’s portals.
*Fees reduced for serious illness or death in family
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 at their own expense. A shared resting area is provided during the day while on campus for the retreat located below the main hall. 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]
There are no late arrivals, early departures, or exits during the retreat; NO exceptions. This is at the request of the nuns; and out of respect for them and the retreat container.
*PLEASE NOTE: Retreatants are encouraged to keep the 8 Precepts for the entire length of this retreat. For those who choose not to keep the 6th Precept, a light supper will be available. This retreat may not be a good match if you are unable to meet the limited intake of food requirement (see “Nourishment” section below).
During retreat we come together as community to support each other in our practice and daily activities. In this spirit we live by the Eight Precepts, keep Noble Silence, and participate in the daily routine mindfully and with awareness.
Out of respect for the ordained saṅgha, please dress modestly. Loose comfortable clothing is recommended. Clothing should cover the area of your body from the shoulders to the knees, even if the weather warms up (i.e., above the knee shorts, yoga pants/leggings, tank tops, or low cut garments, or other revealing items would NOT be appropriate). The meditation hall is well ventilated and air conditioned if necessary, so you can expect a comfortable temperature.
We will eat a simple breakfast and one vegetarian meal before noon each day. We will not be providing for food preferences or allowance for eating after the noon meal (unless you are not taking Precept 6). In the spirit of establishing this retreat as an environment of monastic-style training, we ask that you gratefully accept what is offered, and simply do not take any foods that you cannot eat or eat anything not offered to you after the noon meal. This is the way of practice employed by any visitor to a monastery; it should be recognized as being very much a part of the teaching/learning process, rather than an inconvenience to be skirted around if possible. Please do not bring your own food supplies. If you have a highly restrictive diet and cannot abide by these practices, this retreat may not be a good fit at this time.
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. Visit our Scholarship FAQs at the bottom of the Financial Support page.
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. This has a $50 reservation fee that is fully refunded upon retreat attendance.
Present Parent Scholarship Rate: supports parents or legal guardians (grandparents, relatives, or foster parents) from low-to-modest income backgrounds wanting to attend a residential retreat who are actively raising children under the age of 18 in their home, with special priority given to single parents. It is available for most standard residential retreats (9 nights or less) and only once per calendar year. It is not available for the following: monastic retreats, family retreats, monthlong retreats, or any training programs with residential retreats. This has a $50 reservation fee that is fully refunded upon retreat attendance.
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 may also apply 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 name of the monastery you are affiliated and the lead teacher or abbot you practice under. To learn more, contact the Registration Dept at: [email protected].
*Maximum annual scholarship limit is two per calendar year; this limit is not a guarantee.