An Insight Meditation center set among oak woodlands in the hills of West Marin, California. This guide is compiled from Spirit Rock's own published information; we have not visited, and it is not a review.
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The place
Spirit Rock describes itself as a spiritual training institution in the Insight Meditation tradition, grounded in the Buddha's teachings in the Pali discourses. It sits among 411 acres of oak woodlands in the secluded hills of West Marin County, California, as a refuge to quiet the mind and soften the heart.
Vision and mission
Its vision is to bring people to a depth of realisation of the Buddha's path through direct experience. Its mission is to provide practitioners with teachings to manifest wisdom and compassion in all aspects of life. It welcomes practitioners of all backgrounds and levels of experience, and describes itself as a living mandala for meditation, retreat, practice, community gathering (sangha) and Dharma study.
Who it suits
- Beginners and experienced practitioners: it welcomes all levels.
- People who want a Pali-text-based insight practice. Compare mindfulness and vipassana.
- Anyone preparing for a first retreat: see your first retreat and how courses are booked.
Before you go
- Read is a silent retreat safe? and what to bring.
- Check programmes and costs on the center's own site, and see what retreats cost.
- Compare nearby centres on the Bay Area page.
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