DPP8 Application (2026-2028)

Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP8) Application
Today's Date*

MonthDayYear
DPP8 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- This application may take significant time to complete. We strongly suggest using a computer with a full keyboard and larger screen for ease.
- Gather details on your previous retreat experience; you will have to list your retreat time; Example format: date (month/year), location of retreat (what center), teacher(s), style of retreat (metta or vipassana, etc.), # of nights.
- Get prior approval from your sponsoring and mentoring teachers before listing them on the application (more info below). We will be asking all sponsoring teachers to fill out a recommendation form on your behalf.
- All information is confidential to the teaching and management teams of this program.
- We appreciate your honest, thoughtful responses—they help us build the strongest possible DPP cohort.
- If you have any questions, please contact us at trainings@spiritrock.org.
You will automatically receive an emailed copy of your application once it's submitted.

OVERVIEW

This two-year program is for Insight meditation practitioners who want to deepen their practice and understanding of the Buddhadharma—through residential retreats, study, and shared practice. As a community, we’ll look closely at the roots of suffering and the Buddha’s path towards freedom, gaining a deep understanding of what it means to be liberated. We will focus on cultivating wisdom, compassion, and ethical mindful action into everyday life, staying close to the Buddha’s original teachings in the Pali Canon and how the teachings can support us in contemporary life. DPP is an opportunity to engage in a systematic investigation of many of the foundational lists from the teachings of the Buddha.

Inherent within the Dedicated Practitioners Program is a commitment to build a welcoming and supportive community refuge where people of all genders, orientations, backgrounds, abilities, educational paths, and financial situations can feel supported in their practice.

Residential retreats:

All five retreats are 7 nights; held in-person at Spirit Rock.
May 10–17, 2026
Nov 14–21, 2026
May 16–23, 2027
Nov 14–21, 2027
May 15–22, 2028

APPLICATION TIMELINE & PROCESS

May 16 – October 15, 2025: Applications accepted between these dates. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
October 15, 2025 – Application deadline: All applications sent after this date will automatically be put on a waitlist.
June 1 - November 3, 2025: Applicant interviews (via Zoom, details to follow later).
November 18, 2025: Final notifications sent out to all applicants via email.
December 10, 2025: Final commitment and payment deadline; 25% deposit required at time of acceptance.

PREREQUISITES
To ensure a strong foundation for all participants, applicants should meet the following prerequisites:
- Retreat Experience: At least 30 nights in residential retreat practice within the Insight Meditation (Vipassana) tradition. This does not include daylong or non-residential retreats or online retreats
- Daily Practice: At least five years of consistent Dharma practice.
- Sponsoring Teacher Recommendation: A letter of support from a recognized Vipassana teacher who knows you and your practice.
- Personal and Interpersonal Maturity: Participants should be able to:
  - Demonstrate resilience and self-responsibility: While DPP is a supportive community, it is not a therapeutic space for processing personal sensitivities or for avoiding conflict or discomfort. The Dharma invites us to meet challenges with curiosity, courage, and self-inquiry. DPP is more than a mere study program, it offers an opportunity to embody the liberatory practices in our daily lives, within community, that we will be studying. Participants should be willing to engage with discomfort as part of the practice and take personal responsibility for their emotional reactivity by applying the principles of non-harming and the use of kind and wise speech as outlined by the Five Precepts.
  - Navigate relational challenges with care: Engage with teachers and peers in a way that is respectful, grounded, and compassionate, even when conflicts arise.
  - Approach a wide range of perspectives with openness: Show a genuine willingness to learn from those with different backgrounds, histories, and viewpoints, approaching differences with genuine curiosity and humility.
  - Engage mindfully: Demonstrate a willingness to explore structural and internalized conditioning. Approach conversations with awareness—acknowledging the impact of words and actions while allowing space for human mistakes, learning, and repair.
PROGRAM FEES

Standard Sliding Scale:
$24,260 – Supporter Rate with guarenteed single room
$19,500 – Benefactor Rate
$15,230 – Sustainer Rate (covers cost of program)
$11,030 – Basic Rate

Scholarship Sliding Scale:
$7,900 – Scholarship Rate 1
$5,500 – Scholarship Rate 2

*Payment plans are available for all levels of the sliding scale.

Fees include:

- Accommodations and meals at all five residential retreats
- Program materials, via our Online Learning Platform
- Access to online community building groups

Fees do NOT include:

- Dana for retreat teachers, mentors and monthly group leaders
- Texts and some supplemental books required by the teaching team
- Transportation costs to/from your home to Spirit Rock

Personal Information
LAST name(s)*
First name(s)*
Chosen/Preferred name (how you wish to be addressed):*
Pronoun(s)*
Your email address (that you check regularly)*
Confirm your email address (that you check regularly)*
Current Age*
Cell phone number*
Mailing address*

Street address

City and State

Zip codeCountry
SPONSORING TEACHER -- A sponsoring teacher is the person who will recommend your participation in DPP. They should be someone who currently teaches at Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, East Bay Meditation Center, Gaia House, or other Insight meditation centers or sanghas. They should know you and your meditation practice, and be supportive of your application to DPP8. If arranged, they may also serve as your mentor during the program. We will send them a brief recommendation form to fill out in support of your application.
Sponsoring teacher name*
Sponsoring teacher email*
Confirm sponsoring teacher email*
MENTORING TEACHER -- A mentoring teacher provides approximately 6-12 one-to-one practice meetings during the course of the program. If you do not already have a mentoring teacher, we can support you in your process of finding one. Please be sure to get prior approval from your mentoring teacher before listing them on this form. Your sponsoring and mentoring teachers may either be the same person, or different.
Do you have a mentoring teacher?*

YesNo
Mentoring teacher name*
Mentoring teacher email*
Confirm mentoring teacher email*

Motivation & Intention
What motivates you to apply to DPP8 at this time?*

0/100
What areas of your Dharma practice, understanding, or embodiment would you like to strengthen through DPP8?*

0/100
Is there any reason you would not be able to fully commit to this program (e.g., work, relationships, financial obligations, travel expenses)?*

0/100

Practice Experience & Training
LIST ONLY the silent, residential Vipassana and Metta retreats you have attended using the format below. Minimum: 30 nights. DO NOT include non-residential or non-silent retreats. FORMAT: Month/Year | Location | Teachers | Number of nights, starting with the most recent first.*
What is the total number of retreat nights ONLY from the list above?*
Were you raised in a Buddhist household? If not, when or at what age did you take interest in Buddhism?*

0/100
Have you completed any Buddhist or mindfulness teacher trainings, such as STL, LEAP, MARC, MMTCP? (Please include dates and certifications.)*

0/100
How many years of consistent Dharma practice do you have? (Minimum for DPP8: 5 years of sustained practice.)*
Who are your primary Buddhist teachers or mentors? What has been their influence?*

0/100
Do you have training or experience in other spiritual, contemplative, or indigenous traditions? If so, please describe:*

0/100
Have you completed any training in trauma-informed care, somatics, counseling, or healing modalities? If so, please describe:*

0/100
Are you currently part of any sitting group(s) or sangha(s)? If yes, which group(s), and what is your involvement?*

0/100
Describe a time when you were part of a community made up of people from various backgrounds, especially in terms of socioeconomic status and cultural background. What did you learn from that experience, both about yourself and in your interactions with others?*

0/100
How has your personal journey been impacted by social dynamics and inequalities? What helps you approach these conversations with humility and thoughtfulness?*

0/100
Have you participated in any training in social inequalities?*

0/100
Will you be attending the 3-month retreat at Insight Meditation Society (IMS) Fall 2025 (either in part or in full) or otherwise unavailable to respond to email during the period from October 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025? (needed for communication purposes related to notifications).*

YesNo

Emotional Maturity & Self-Reflection
Describe a recent situation in which you felt emotionally challenged or reactive in a Dharma or community setting. How did you respond in the moment, and what reflections followed?*

0/100
Describe a time when you received difficult feedback. How did you process and respond to it?*

0/100
DPP is a rigorous program that may bring up strong emotions or challenges. What internal and external supports do you rely on when facing emotional discomfort or inner resistance?*

0/100

Demographic Information

All information is confidential to the teaching and management teams of this program.

The following questions are included to help support our commitment to building a wide-ranging and welcoming DPP8 community of refuge where everyone—of all races, genders, orientations, backgrounds, abilities, education, and economies—can feel supported in their practice. This information which we are requesting, will also help support assigning a mentoring teacher, if needed.
Do you self-identify as black, indigenous, and/or a person of color (BIPOC)?*

YesNoPrefer not to answer
How do you self-identify your ethnic heritages or backgrounds?*
Type N/A, if decline to state.
How do you self-identify your gender?*
E.g. Female, Male, Transgender, gender diverse, gender queer, gender fluid, agender, etc.
Do you self-identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community?*

YesNoPrefer not to answer
How do you self-identify your sexual orientation (optional)?
Do you self-identify as a person with a disability(ies) - either visible and/or invisible? (Optional - this just helps us better support the sangha's needs).*

Yes (You'll have the option to share more below.)NoPrefer not to answer
Optional: Please share anything you'd like us to know about how we can support your participation, if accepted.
What is/are the first language(s) you spoke?*
Which languages do you currently speak fluently?*
How would you describe your family's social economic position during your childhood? *
What is your livelihood or occupation? If you are retired, please share your previous profession.*
Please share your educational background, including any degrees, certifications, or training in professional or trade fields.*

Health & Mental Well-being

Silent meditation retreats can be beautiful and transformative, but they may also bring up challenging emotional and mental states. If you have experienced severe trauma or recent emotional loss, such as the death of a loved one, or if you are in early recovery from substance abuse, a silent retreats might not be suitable for you. We recommend consulting with a mental health or recovery specialist to determine if this is the right moment for you. Spirit Rock is not a treatment center nor are we mental health professionals.

Our center has limitations, so if you are a person with a disability, we would greatly appreciate a conversation with you. This way, we can better understand what is needed to support you.

We would like you to be able to participate in this program and the retreats as fully as possible; however, we are not always able to meet every need. Some of our buildings are of an older generation which can limit offerings.
Do you have any physical access needs (i.e. need a scooter or other mobility assistance, hearing assist devices, visual, etc.)? If yes, please describe.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Do you have any condition or history of physical illness or limitations that may interfere with or might be aggravated by sitting or walking practice? If yes, please describe.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Do you identify as neurodivergent? (i.e. autism spectrum, ADHD, Tourettes, dyslexia, etc.) If yes, please describe your situation and what will support your participation in the program and retreats. As noted above, we do our best to support accessibility and yet, we are unfortunately not always able to meet every need.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Have you experienced any trauma that has been emotionally difficult for you (e.g., accidents, military service, PTSD, childhood abuse, etc.)? If yes, when did this occur, what were the circumstances, and what type(s) of personal work has been done around this? *
Type N/A if not applicable
Are you currently taking any medication for physical or psychological conditions? if yes, please describe the medication and whether/how it affects your psychological functioning.*
Type N/A if not applicable
How does the practice of meditation, silence, and retreat affect the above conditions?*
Type N/A if not applicable
Are there any present conditions in your life which might be placing you under additional stress or make meditation difficult for you (e.g. recent loss of a loved one or job, relationship ending, substance abuse/withdrawal, fasting)? If yes, please describe.*
Type N/A if not applicable
What is your current family and personal relationship situation? Include anything else about your current life that you feel would be helpful for us to know. *
Have you experienced adverse effects and/or a spiritual emergency or crisis during/after a retreat or ceremony? If yes, please describe.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Have you experienced any significant emotional, psychological, or spiritual difficulty in your life that affected your ability to function? If yes, please describe briefly, including when it occurred and whether it is still affecting you.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Have you ever seriously contemplated or attempted to take your life? If yes, please describe when and where this occurred.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Are you currently seeing a therapist or psychiatrist? If yes, please describe the nature of your work with them.*
Type N/A if not applicable
Is there any other information you would like us to know?

Important Details of DPP Program Scope

- DPP is Not A Social Justice Training – Though Dharma encourages awareness of systemic suffering, this is not an activism or social justice training. Our aim is to deepen practice, which will naturally inform engagement in the world and provide the resilience to support us in whatever activism we are called to.

- DPP is Not A Trauma-Healing Program – While Dharma practice can be deeply healing, this program does not provide therapeutic support for processing significant trauma. Our focus is on deepening Dharma practice, not clinical or therapeutic care.

- DPP is Not A Teacher Training Program – If you’re interested in teaching or leadership, Spirit Rock periodically offers other programs.
Please acknowledge that you have read and understand the above (please initial).*

Financial Details & Scholarship Requests

Scholarship applicants are awarded based on the greatest financial need, while equitably distributing scholarship funds in alignment with our core values.
Do you anticipate needing scholarship funds for DPP8?*

YesNo
If YES, please describe your financial need, including your household income and number of people in your household that are supported by this income. Please provide an honest and accurate assessment of your financial situation so we can consider the total amount of resources needed to maximize everyone’s participation. *
Sliding scale fees offer you an opportunity to consider an amount you can reasonably afford in order to participate in DPP8. We ask you to select the highest possible level as your generosity allows for those with lesser means to attend. Please note that scholarship funds are limited and reserved for those experiencing financial hardship. Regrettably, we cannot guarantee the full amount of scholarship support you may have requested.

Standard Sliding Scale:
$24,260 - Supporter Rate (includes a guaranteed single room for each retreat)
$19,500 - Benefactor Rate
$15,230 - Sustainer Rate (covers cost of the program)
$11,030 - Basic Rate

Scholarship Sliding Scale:
$7,900 - Scholarship Rate 1
$5,500 - Scholarship Rate 2
Enter a rate from the list above. This is the amount you pledge to pay for the program and that best suits your financial circumstances. (Keep in mind this is a two-year program and monthly installments can be made over an 18-month period.)*
Exceptions can be made for a longer period if needed.
Upon acceptance into DPP and to secure your spot, all participants will be asked to pay a minimum deposit of 25%. Should you need to cancel after you have paid your deposit, but prior to Jan 5, 2026, all fees will be refunded minus a $200 non-refundable fee.

You may pay the entire program fee in full, or set up an installment plan for the remainder of the balance (after the initial 25% deposit). The payment plan will start the month following your deposit and continue monthly on that same date for 18 consecutive months. Installments can only be set up on credit cards. Please contact us if you have any questions. We are happy to work with you.
Cancellation Policy & Fees

Participating in DPP8 will require your commitment of both time and financial resources. Should your financial situation change after the program has started, we encourage you to reach out to us so we can discuss options.

We are unable to fill your space once the program is underway. However, if you need to withdraw from the program, the following fee structure will apply once you have accepted and paid your deposit.

$200 non-refundable fee = On or before Jan 5, 2026 (applies to ALL participants)
10% fee* = Jan 6 - Mar 7, 2026
15% fee* = Mar 8 - May 8, 2026
25% fee* = May 9 - Nov 12, 2026
45% fee* = Nov 13, 2026 - May 14, 2027
65% fee* = May 15 - Nov 12, 2027
85% fee* = Nov 13, 2027 - May 13, 2028
No refunds = On or after May 14, 2028
*Fee deducted from refund; fee is a percentage of the total amount pledged to pay.
I have read and understand the applicable cancellation fees for DPP8. (please initial)*

Final Agreement

By typing my name in the space below, I agree, to the best of my ability, to participate and commit fully in DPP8, if I am accepted. This includes:

-Attending all five 7-night residential retreats of the program.
-Attend all five retreats with the same degree of integrity and undivided attention as a silent retreat. This means coming and staying for the full retreat, and not scheduling family or work-related responsibilities during retreat time.
-Engagement with all monthly readings, practices and reflections.
-Attending all monthly group meetings with a teacher either in my area or online.
-Being available for 6 or more individual meetings with my mentoring teacher per year.
-Meeting monthly with my dharma buddies.
-Meeting all financial obligations outlined in this application relating to program fees.
Full Name and Today's Date*
Any additional thoughts or comments?
Thank you for applying to DPP8! Filling out this application does not guarantee acceptance. You will be notified no later than November 18, 2025. We are looking forward to sharing this experience with you!

By submitting this application, you are agreeing to join Spirit Rock's email newsletter.
Should be Empty:

Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP8) Application

Personal Information

Motivation & Intention

Practice Experience & Training

Emotional Maturity & Self-Reflection

Demographic Information

Health & Mental Well-being

Important Details of DPP Program Scope

Financial Details & Scholarship Requests

Cancellation Policy & Fees

Final Agreement