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Finding True Refuge: A Retreat for the LGBTQIA+ and GNC Community

November 1 - 6, 2026

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5 nights, 6 days

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96 person retreat

Highlights

  • Silent with Specific Conversational Opportunities

  • Meet the Teachers: Anushka Fernandopulle, John Martin, Victoria Cary

Details

Explore Buddhist practices and teachings of liberation in our LGBTQIA+ and GNC (Gender Non-Conforming) community. Together, we will practice mindfulness and heart-fulness, embracing all of our experience with loving awareness and deep acceptance. There will be an emphasis on cultivating a continuity of awareness in all activities (sitting, stillness, standing, walking, movement, eating) with a relaxed and gentle presence. Through these practices, we will explore what true refuge means for us individually and for our community. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners, this retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings. Assistant Teacher: Mario Castillo

Accommodation

Supporter Rate

Private room for 1

$3,050 USD total

Benefactor Rate

Private room for 1

$2,450 USD total

Sustainer Rate

2-person shared room

$1,850 USD / person

Basic Rate

2-person shared room

$1,225 USD / person

Reduced Rate

2-person shared room

$800 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. Additional Info Arrival Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM Departure Time: 11:00 AM

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

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.

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