Compassion and Equanimity: Balancing the Heart and Mind - A Monastic Retreat

This is a five-day silent meditation retreat in the Theravada Buddhist monastic tradition, held at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. Led by three Buddhist nuns, it explores how to develop and sustain compassion and equanimity, qualities the Buddha taught as supports for liberation, wisdom and kindness. It is meant for practitioners with established vipassana experience who want a taste of monastic life.

What to Expect

The retreat keeps the Eight Precepts for its full length. These include Noble Silence, abstaining from sexual activity and intoxicants, and not eating between midday and the following dawn. The days are built around group sitting and walking meditation, individual practice, Dharma talks, and practice meetings with the teachers. Daily periods of devotional chanting are part of the schedule, which is not typical of most insight retreats. Silence is held except during teacher-led Q&A, small groups and other practice meetings. The retreat is open to all genders.

Arrival is in the afternoon of the first day, with orientation, settling in and an introduction to the structure and precepts. The middle days begin with early morning sitting and close with evening group practice, with walking meditation, teacher meetings and movement sessions with Monica Magtoto in between. The final morning brings early practice, a closing Dharma talk and departure at 11:00 AM.

There are no late arrivals, early departures or exits, with no exceptions. This is at the request of the nuns, out of respect for them and for the retreat container.

The Teachers

Ayya Anandabodhi has lived and practiced as a Buddhist nun for over 30 years. She brings together her training in the Thai Forest tradition with the contemporary Bhikkhuni lineage, which has roots in ancient India.

Ayyā Suvijjānā began meditating in the Soto Zen tradition in 1976 and turned to vipassanā and the Theravāda tradition in 1998. Her practice focuses on Four Element meditation, mindfulness of breathing and mettā (lovingkindness).

Ayya Niyyānika (they/them) entered monastic life in 2014 and received full ordination in December 2017. They teach Sutta-based embodiment practices centered on lovingkindness, compassion, settling and equanimity, and explore identity as a way to understand conditionality, letting go and true safety.

Monica Magtoto, E-RYT, the movement teacher, is an artist, yoga instructor, energy worker, curanderismo practitioner and tarot reader based in San Francisco. She weaves her studies of energy and movement with curanderismo, spirituality and her artwork.

The Setting and Meals

Retreatants stay on the upper campus of Spirit Rock and practice in the Upper Meditation Hall. Most of the 80 rooms are single occupancy, with 16 doubles. Guaranteed single rooms are offered at the top of the sliding scale, and the remaining singles are first prioritized for serious medical needs. Retreat commuters, who attend the full retreat without staying overnight, may be accommodated once the retreat is full and a waitlist forms. Commuters must have completed at least one weeklong silent residential insight retreat in person.

Meals are a simple breakfast and one vegetarian meal before noon each day. Food preferences cannot be accommodated, and participants are asked not to bring their own food. Those who choose not to keep the sixth precept can have a light supper.

Before You Go

This retreat suits experienced practitioners. A previous weeklong silent residential retreat in insight meditation is strongly recommended, and beginners are encouraged to start with daylong programs or shorter retreats. Sessions are in English.

Dress modestly out of respect for the ordained saṅgha: clothing should cover shoulders to knees, so no shorts, leggings, tank tops or low-cut garments. Loose, comfortable clothing is best.

Lodging, meals, the teachings and use of the facilities are included. Teacher dana is not included and is offered voluntarily at the end. Pricing is on a sliding scale, with scholarships for financial need and payment plans available. Transportation to the center is not provided.