Ancient Wisdom, Present Freedom: Follow the Buddha's Recipe for Liberation

This four-night silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, is a study and practice of the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, the Buddha's discourse on the foundations of mindfulness, which he called the "direct path." It is led by Will Kabat-Zinn, Lienchi Tran, and Victoria Cary in the Theravada, Vipassana tradition. All experience levels are welcome.

What to Expect

The retreat follows the Buddha's method for cultivating mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, and the tendencies of mind that lead to stress and to well-being. Practice moves through walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, so awareness is not confined to the cushion. The aim is openhearted attention to the full range of human experience, and liberating insight into the nature of one's own mind.

Arrival and check-in take place on the first afternoon between 2:30 and 4:30 PM, followed by opening instruction and a review of the retreat agreements. Silence begins after dinner. The middle days hold a steady rhythm of early morning and evening meditation, with midday instruction introducing the Satipaṭṭhāna framework and its methods. Walking meditation and mindfulness of the body give way to investigation of feelings and mental states. Small group meetings are part of the schedule, and individual meetings with the teachers are available.

The retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, and other practice meetings. On the final morning there is meditation, closing instruction on integrating the practice, a closing ceremony, and an opportunity to offer dana. Departure is at 11:00 AM.

About Will Kabat-Zinn

Will Kabat-Zinn, MA, is a mindfulness and meditation teacher with more than two decades of practice in the Insight Meditation tradition. He spent nearly a decade in extended silent retreat in the United States and Burma, and was deeply influenced by the late Sayadaw U Pandita and Chan Master Sheng-Yen. He serves on the Spirit Rock Teacher's Council and Board of Directors. His teaching has reached incarcerated youth, educators, scientists, law enforcement officers, parents, and business and technology leaders. He leads a local meditation community in Berkeley.

About Lienchi Tran

Lienchi Tran was raised in a Buddhist family and has practiced meditation since 1984. Her primary teacher is Sayadaw U Tejaniya, and her approach is intuitive and practical. Her teaching encourages gentle awareness, insight, and a natural ease in daily life.

About Victoria Cary

Victoria Cary loves the Dhamma and is drawn to supporting people in bringing it into everyday life. Her teaching investigates the complexity of human experience while holding plenty of space for kindness.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, in Marin County, California, in the consecrated Upper Meditation Hall. Rooms are single or double occupancy; most of the center's rooms are single, and only 16 of its 80 are doubles. A limited number of guaranteed single rooms are offered at the higher tiers of the sliding scale, and other single rooms are first prioritized for people with serious medical needs. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. Those with prior retreat experience may attend as commuters, joining every session and meal while arranging their own lodging.

Before You Go

The retreat is taught in English. Spirit Rock recommends that people new to meditation attend one to three day-long programs first, and that anyone without silent retreat experience speak with the registration department before enrolling. Commuters must have completed at least one weeklong silent residential Insight retreat; online retreats do not count.

Fees cover lodging, meals, and teaching, but not teacher dana, which is offered at the close of the retreat. Transportation to Spirit Rock is not included. Pricing is on a sliding scale, with need-based scholarships and payment plans available. Because participants live closely together, those who are ill are asked to stay home.