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Spirituality Retreats in United States/
Spirituality Retreats in Woodacre/
Mettā Retreat: Teachings and Practices to Cultivate a Wise, Compassionate, and Resilient Heart
Mettā Retreat: Teachings and Practices to Cultivate a Wise, Compassionate, and Resilient Heart
January 11 - 18, 2027
Woodacre, CA, United States
7 nights, 8 days
96 person retreat
Highlights
Silent with Specific Conversational Opportunities
Meet the Teachers: Gullu Singh, Donald Rothberg, Diana Winston, Beth Sternlieb, Jonathan Relucio, Ronya Fakhoury Banks (Teacher in Training)
Details
This retreat focuses on the cultivation of mettā, or lovingkindness—the intentional development of a heart grounded in goodwill toward oneself and all beings. Unlike retreats that emphasize mindfulness primarily as a basis for insight, the core practice here is the systematic cultivation of mettā as a way of relating to experience and living with greater kindness, even in a fractured world marked by uncertainty and stress. Drawing on our mindfulness practice, we learn to recognize and soften habitual patterns that limit the heart’s natural capacity for goodwill. While the primary emphasis is mettā, we also explore compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity as supportive qualities. This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Venue
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
4.5 ★ 145 Reviews
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
Garden
Coffee / Tea
Kitchen
Free Parking
Bathroom
Accommodation
Supporter Rate
Private room for 1
$4,375 USD total
Benefactor Rate
Private room for 1
$3,500 USD total
Sustainer Rate
2-person shared room
$2,625 USD / person
Basic Rate
2-person shared room
$1,750 USD / person
Reduced Rate
2-person shared room
$1,120 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
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.
Testimonials
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Host
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 1 year
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.
