Insight Meditation Retreat: A Path to Wisdom and the Cultivation of the Heart

This eight-night silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, is devoted to Insight Meditation (vipassana), the Theravada path of awakening rooted in the Buddha's central teachings. It is led by DaRa Williams, Noliwe Alexander, Tuere Sala and Bart van Melik, with teachers in training Melanie Huitse Cherng and Brett Bethke. It suits both beginners and experienced meditators who want a sustained, supported stretch of practice in noble silence.

What to Expect

The retreat rests on mindfulness, investigation and compassion. The days are built from long periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided instruction, Dharma talks, small group practice meetings and individual meetings with the teachers. The aim is twofold: clear seeing of the mind and body, with a deepening understanding of impermanence and interconnection, and the cultivation of the heart qualities of equanimity, lovingkindness, compassion and empathetic joy.

Arrival is on the first afternoon, between 2:30 and 4:30 PM, followed by settling in, orientation, opening instruction and the first practices. The middle days follow a steady rhythm of meditation periods, talks and meetings, with meals taken in silence. Noble silence is held throughout, except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups and other practice meetings. On the final morning there is a closing session and a chance to offer dana to the teachers and to Spirit Rock, and departure is at 11:00 AM.

The Teachers

DaRa Williams has practiced Insight Meditation for over 25 years and completed the Spirit Rock/IMS/IRC Teacher Training. She is a Spirit Rock Stewarding Teacher and an Associate Guiding Teacher at IMS. Her background is in mental health, and she is a trainer, wellness coach and certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist who trains in Aboriginal Focusing Oriented Complex Trauma Therapy.

Noliwe Alexander has studied Vipassana for over 20 years and has led retreats, sitting groups, day-longs and class series. She dedicates her practice and teaching to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, at-risk and elder communities.

Tuere Sala is a Guiding Teacher at Seattle Insight Meditation Society and at Spirit Rock. She has practiced Vipassana for over 30 years and has been teaching since 2010, helping others establish and maintain a daily practice.

Bart van Melik has taught meditation since 2009, with a special focus on diverse communities. He has brought the practice to veterans, to youth in homeless shelters and to teens in New York City public schools, and he supports people in finding creative, playful and diligent ways to meet life's stresses.

Melanie Huitse Cherng, a teacher in training, was raised in a Taiwanese family that practices Pure Land Buddhism. For the last decade she has offered meditation instruction to the BIPOC community at Cambridge Insight. She is also a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and body worker.

Brett Bethke, PhD, a teacher in training, has practiced Insight Meditation since 2010. He loves long retreat practice and has spent three years in silent retreat. He trusts deeply in each person's potential to transform suffering and realize greater peace, clarity and compassion.

The Setting

The retreat is held at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, in Marin County, with sitting in the Upper Meditation Hall. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Most of the 80 rooms are single occupancy, and 16 are doubles. A limited number of single rooms are held for people with serious medical needs or offered at the top of the sliding scale. Retreat commuters attend every session and meal but sleep off site, with a shared resting area on campus during the day. Commuter places open once the retreat is full and require a prior weeklong silent Insight retreat.

Before You Go

Beginners are welcome. Those with no meditation experience are encouraged to start with two or three daylong programs and then a four to five night retreat before committing to eight nights. Experienced practitioners can come directly. The retreat is taught in English.

Fees include lodging, meals and the program, but not teacher dana, which is offered at the close. Transportation, toiletries and personal items are yours to arrange. Pricing is on a sliding scale, with scholarships for financial hardship, for Black, Indigenous and people of color, and for young adults aged 18 to 26. Payment plans are available. Anyone who is ill is asked to stay home and let the registration office know.