The development of the mind and heart through meditation, which is what we do in our practice, is bhāvanā, cultivation of this fertile soil from which the fruit of freedom can come. The cultivation of awareness is really coming to see in a very intimate way the default habit patterns of the mind. We need a lot of mettā, and compassion, and equanimity to do that. We need these also to see the joy and delight of moments of being free. These come together so beautifully, these practices of the heart, and the practices of training the mind. It’s all one thing.
Kamala Masters
Residential Retreat Teacher
Kamala Masters is co-founder with Steve Armstrong of the Vipassana Metta Foundation and Sanctuary on Maui, and a Core Guiding Teacher of the Insight Meditation Society of Barre, MA. In 1977 she began her Dharma training in the Mahasi tradition with the late Anagarika Munindra of India. In 1985, the late Ven. U Pandita also became her life-long teacher, training intensively in vipassana and metta jhana meditations in Myanmar and abroad. Presently she continues to receive practice training from Ven. U Vivekananda of Nepal. She encourages total liberation through practicing continuity of awareness with wisdom and compassion in everyday life, as well as in intensive meditation training. Through the many years of practice, Kamala raised four children, and has been blessed by seven grandchildren. Along with Steve Armstrong she continues to be a steward of the sacred sanctuary of land they work and live on.
Kamala Masters' Upcoming Programs
Retreat | On-Land
November 14 - November 21, 2026 | Saturday - Saturday | 7 nights
Mindfulness and Metta: An Insight Meditation Retreat
Full - with waitlist. Commuter spaces available! This retreat emphasizes sustaining continuity of mindful attention across all activities—sitting, walking, and daily life—allowing the mind to settle into greater stability and ease. Through a spirit of gentle, open, kind receptivity toward whatever arises, we create the conditions for clear perception. The understanding and insights that emerge support us in daily life, and are onward leading toward full liberation. Attention will be given to recognizing the mental attitudes that shape how we perceive and relate to our experience. The retreat is open to practitioners at every level, and we warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and life paths.
Retreat | On-Land
April 23 - May 2, 2027 | Friday - Sunday | 9 nights
April Insight Meditation Retreat
Registration Open. The emphasis during this retreat will be on the continuity of awareness in all activities, which stabilizes and balances the mind. Relaxed acceptance of our moment-to-moment experience will become the platform for investigation and wisdom. Particular attention will be paid to the attitudes in the mind that condition our understanding. This retreat is suitable for both beginner and experienced meditators, and we welcome people from all life experiences, backgrounds, and communities.
Kamala Masters
Tara Mulay
Vance Pryor
Winnie Nazarko
Joseph Goldstein
Aishah Shahidah Simmons (Teacher in Training)
Adam Stonebraker (Teacher in Training)
Upcoming Drop-Ins
Drop-in | Online
Monday, October 26 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Monday Night Meditation & Talk
For over 35 years, the Monday Night sitting group at Spirit Rock has been a welcoming refuge to gather, hear the teachings of the Buddha, and practice Insight Meditation together as a community. The program includes a 30-40 min guided meditation, a short break, and a Dharma talk.
Kamala Masters
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Kamala Masters through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.