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Awaken the Elements: Connect with Joy

June 22 - 26, 2026

Woodacre, CA, United States

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Hosted By

Spirit Rock Meditation Center

206 followers

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4 nights, 5 days

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96 person retreat

Highlights

  • Silent with Specific Conversational Opportunities

  • Meet the Teachers: JD Doyle, Maria Teresa Abdala-Romano

Details

Explore the timeless wisdom of the Four Elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, in a serene natural environment. Through cultivating mindfulness and connecting with the elements, we will experience the joy of our interconnectedness with the natural world. This retreat will offer silent meditations, opportunities for movement meditation, heart practices, Dharma talks, and restful time to be in nature and honor the natural rhythms of your own practice. As we connect directly with our experience, we develop insights that support our own well-being and that of our communities. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat provides a peaceful space to cultivate mindfulness and joy in each moment. We warmly welcome all practitioners to this retreat. All of our teachers are fluent in both English and Spanish, and are dedicated to supporting your practice in the language that feels most supportive to you. You are encouraged to engage in Practice Meetings and Q&A sessions in either English or Spanish, based on your preference. Dharma Talks, Practice Instructions, and Guided Movement sessions will be offered in English. This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.

Location

Woodacre, CA, United States

California offers an incredibly diverse array of landscapes and cultural experiences. From the iconic coastal cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco to the wine country of Napa Valley and the natural splendor of Yosemite National Park, California caters to all kinds of travelers. The state is also home to the entertainment hub of Hollywood, the tech innovation of Silicon Valley, and the surf culture of its many beaches. Whether you're seeking the city's glamour, the redwood forests' tranquility, or the adventure of its deserts and mountains, California provides a vibrant and dynamic destination.

Venue

Spirit Rock Meditation Center

4.5 145 Reviews

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On the land, online, or on-demand, Spirit Rock supports you at every stage of your path to grow a vibrant, nourishing spiritual life. Join us to practice Insight Meditation, Dharma teachings, and mindfulness in a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to the liberation of all beings.

Free Wifi

Free Wifi

Garden

Garden

Coffee / Tea

Coffee / Tea

Kitchen

Kitchen

Free Parking

Free Parking

Bathroom

Bathroom

Accommodation

Supporter Rate

2 Rooms Left

Private room for 1

$2,440 USD total

Benefactor Rate

2 Rooms Left

Private room for 1

$1,960 USD total

Sustainer Rate

4 Spots Left

2-person shared room

$1,480 USD / person

Basic Rate

4 Spots Left

2-person shared room

$980 USD / person

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Spirit Rock Meditation Center primarily offers dormitory-style accommodations in simple, comfortable rooms for residential retreats. These rooms are typically shared, with some offering single occupancy options. The center also provides facilities for group activities, personal reflection, and connecting with nature.

Meals

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Meals provided

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Diets catered

Vegan · Vegetarian · Gluten-free · Dairy-free

Our meals are sourced from local, sustainable, and organic growers and suppliers, with a focus on seasonal ingredients. We ground all of our cooking decisions in the principle of non-harm. Our menus are built around nutrient-dense whole foods; they are vegetarian, with abundant vegan and gluten-free options. We are mindful of common food allergies and take special care to nourish practitioners with dietary restrictions.

Schedule

The daily rhythm of a retreat usually involves alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, eating, and work meditations, as well as practice meetings, Dharma talks, and rest periods. The first sitting usually begins at about 6:00 a.m., and a typical day includes seven sittings and six walking periods of 45 minutes apiece. Each morning, the teachers offer continuing meditation instructions for the day. The whole retreat is a succession of mindfulness training, deep awareness of the body and environment, meditations on the nature of feelings, and awareness of the mind and the laws that govern it. These are the same fundamental teachings of Insight Meditation offered in the Theravāda Buddhist monasteries of Asia.

Testimonials

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I am slowly transitioning back to the 'real world' after a month of silent meditation at a residential retreat at Spirit Rock. I feel blessed to have lived in that beautiful container and experienced the teachings and practices with so many profound lessons … So much love and beauty … deep gratitude.

Janey F., United States

Emerging from this week of silence, I feel more integrated than ever. In the past, speaking and other stimuli after silent retreats have felt overwhelming and even physically uncomfortable. This time, though, I noticed more ease. There was a steadiness, an equanimity, in my mind and body.

Hannah S., United States

Thank you Spirt Rock for a beautiful week of practice, wisdom, and sangha. If you’ve been curious about a silent meditation retreat, I heartily recommend Spirit Rock in Northern California. The land and food will heal you!

Lesley Y., United States

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Host

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Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Woodacre, CA, USA

Rooted in the teachings of Insight Meditation, Spirit Rock Meditation Center offers retreats, classes, and workshops on-land and online that support both beginners and experienced practitioners in dee...

1 language

English

Teaching for 7 months

Joined Insight Timer in Jul 2025

What's Included

Food

Accommodation

Not Included

Registration fees DO NOT include teacher dana

Flights and Transportation

FAQs

Guest requirements

  • You must have already completed at least 14 nights of silent residential retreat time. This retreat time must include a minimum of two (2) silent residential retreats, each of six (6) nights or longer.

  • These retreats must have been led by Spirit Rock, IMS, or IRC teachers, or other recognized Insight Meditation teachers. Previous retreats must be silent residential retreats and have a similar format to this retreat, with instructions, practices, and talks focused on Insight Meditation. Online retreats do not qualify for these retreat prerequisites. When applying, you will need to provide the teachers’ names, dates, location, length (# of nights), and style of the retreats.

Cancellation policy

The remaining balance for the retreat is due 14 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 14 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 14 days before the retreat begins.