Why reflect on death? One of the reasons is to overcome fear of death—because when we live in fear, we're not fully living. When we're always thinking “How am I going to die?” or pushing it under the carpet, we're not really inhabiting our life. Reflecting on the finitude of our time brings us alive. It brings to focus what is important and helps us get aligned with our highest values. We're on this earth for a very limited time. What do we want to do with this precious human birth?
Nikki Mirghafori, PhD
Residential Retreat Teacher
Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and Artificial Intelligence (AI) scientist. She is a lineage holder in the Theravada tradition, empowered by the living Burmese meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, with whom she practiced the jhanas and detailed analytical (Abhidhamma-style) vipassana. She also received empowerment from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, Insight Meditation Center, and is a Stanford-trained compassion cultivation instructor.
At Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Nikki serves as a Stewarding Teacher as well as on the Board of Directors. She also teaches at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. Nikki’s teaching style combines clarity and warmth, and she delights in exploring deep Dharma topics with practitioners as well as mindfulness in daily life. Mindfulness of death, in particular, is one of the areas of her interest and expertise.
Additionally, Nikki has been a researcher and inventor in AI, holds multiple patents and author of scientific research articles. She has directed international research programs as the Principal Investigator, mentored postdocs and PhD students, taught graduate courses at UC Berkeley, and been a scientific advisor to Silicon Valley technology startups.
As an Iranian-American, Nikki has taught contemplative practices internationally and aspires to serve as a champion for wisdom and compassion in our world, as well as ethical AI in our zeitgeist.
Nikki Mirghafori's Upcoming Programs
Short Program | On-Land | Hybrid
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Digital Detox: The Wisdom of Rest, Balance, and Ease
In a world of constant demands and scattered attention, this retreat offers a chance to pause, breathe, and rediscover the wisdom of rest, balance, and ease. Guided meditation, embodied awareness, silence, and time in nature help settle the body, steady the mind, and renew the heart. Practices of lovingkindness and equanimity support caring deeply with wisdom. Rest is not selfish—it replenishes us for the benefit of ourselves and others, opening the door to more freedom.
Nikki Mirghafori
Short Program | Online
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Digital Detox: The Wisdom of Rest, Balance, and Ease
In a world of constant demands and scattered attention, this retreat offers a chance to pause, breathe, and rediscover the wisdom of rest, balance, and ease. Guided meditation, embodied awareness, silence, and time in nature help settle the body, steady the mind, and renew the heart. Practices of lovingkindness and equanimity support caring deeply with wisdom. Rest is not selfish—it replenishes us for the benefit of ourselves and others, opening the door to more freedom.
Nikki Mirghafori
Retreat | On-Land | Hybrid
October 26 - October 31, 2026 | Monday - Saturday | 5 nights
Befriending Mortality: Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati) Practices to Cultivate Insight, Presence, Compassion, and Meaning
15 CE Credits. Spaces Still Available! We all “know” we will die, yet we tend to ignore this fact and put our collective head in the sand. Rather than running away from our mortality, we can harness its power to stay aligned with our deepest values and to live and love more fully. Fully embracing life’s impermanence can engender a deep freedom and letting go. Through mindfulness of death maraṇasati practice, we become more present for this miraculous, passing show called life with gladness and gratitude.
Retreat | Online | Hybrid
October 26 - October 31, 2026 | Monday - Saturday
Befriending Mortality: Living an Awakened Life through Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati)
Spaces Still Available! We all “know” we will die, yet we tend to ignore this fact and put our collective head in the sand. Rather than running away from our mortality, we can harness its power to stay aligned with our deepest values and to live and love more fully. Fully embracing life’s impermanence can engender a deep freedom and letting go. Through mindfulness of death maraṇasati practice, we become more present for this miraculous, passing show called life with gladness and gratitude.
Retreat | On-Land
May 16 - May 23, 2027 | Sunday - Sunday | 7 nights
The Way of Release: Practicing Peace in Every Moment
Registration Open. Our path of practice leads toward peace. Can we walk it with the same qualities as the destination—ease, openness, and goodwill? Each moment of awareness can embody release, gently cultivating freedom rather than struggle or grim duty. We can nourish heart and mind with the wholesome happiness available along the way. At the core of awakening is release: the soft letting go of hidden assumptions and patterns, allowing peace to gradually infuse each moment, on and off the cushion.
Nikki Mirghafori
Upcoming Drop-Ins
Drop-in | Online
Monday, September 21 | 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.
Nikki Mirghafori
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Nikki Mirghafori through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.
