2027 Spirit Rock Monthlong Retreat Application

  • One Month and Two Month Insight Meditation Retreat Application February and March 2027

    Spirit Rock Meditation Center

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    PREREQUISITES

    Prerequisites for One-Month Retreats: BEFORE applying, you must have already completed at least 14 nights of silent residential retreat time. This retreat time must include a minimum of two (2) silent residential retreats with each of these six (6) nights or longer.

    Prerequisites for Two-Month Retreat: BEFORE applying, you must have already completed at least 21 nights of silent residential retreat time. This retreat time must include a minimum of three (3) silent residential retreats with each of these six (6) nights or longer.

    Other Important Notes About Prerequisites: These retreats must have been led by Spirit Rock, IMS, or IRC teachers, or other recognized Insight Meditation teachers. Previous retreats must be silent residential retreats and have a similar format to this retreat, with instructions, practices and talks focused on Insight Meditation. Online retreats DO NOT qualify for these retreat prerequisites. DO NOT list retreats you will attend in the future.

     

    APPLICATION TIMELINE

    Application Period: First round applications are accepted May 5 - July 14, 2026. Any application received after this timeframe will be reviewed for eligibility and placed on the waitlist for a second round of notifications if space is still available.

    Application Review: Spirit Rock staff and teachers will review all applications for eligibility. First round notifications will be sent July 23 - 24, 2026. Applicants will be notified whether you have been accepted into the retreat or placed on the waitlist in this timeframe.

     

    IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

    • Prerequisites: Applicants must meet the prerequisite BEFORE applying. Online retreat experience does not fulfill the prerequisite. Attendance in a future retreat also does not qualify. The prerequisites are strict, so please do not apply even if you are close to meeting them.
    • Insight Retreat: Practitioners are expected to follow teacher’s instructions related to Vipassana (Insight Meditation).
    • COVID Safety Protocols: Learn about current protocols.
    • Photo Required: You will be asked to upload a photo of yourself.
       

    This application may take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete depending upon your situation and your preparation. Submit only ONE application. If you need to make a change to an already submitted application, contact us.

    To make the application process go more quickly, we recommend that you gather the necessary information to fill out the application prior to sitting down and filling it out.

    You will need: a digital photo of yourself, a list of your retreat experience (including teachers' names, dates/years, number of nights, style of retreat [metta, concentration, if applicable], and location), emergency contact information, therapist name & contact if applicable.

  • Which retreat are you applying for? Select your FIRST CHOICE.*
  • SECOND CHOICE - If your first choice retreat is not available, which retreat are you interested in?*
  • Would this be your first residential retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center?*
  • Will you be attending the two-month retreat at Insight Meditation Society (IMS) Fall 2026 (either in part or in full)?*
    • Participant Name, Contact Info, and Basic Details 
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • Do you self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of color)?*
    • Do you self-identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community?*
    • Would you be attending this retreat with someone you know?*
    • Is English your primary language?*
    • Retreat Sliding Scale Fees & Cancellation Policies 

    • Sliding scale fees allow individuals to pay what works best for their financial situation. Please consider choosing the highest level that you can afford, as that generosity allows for those with lesser means to attend. Amounts offered above the Sustainer Rate are considered a tax-deductible donation. These donations help fund all that we do at Spirit Rock, including our overwhelming number of scholarship requests. 

      Payment plan options are available for all fee levels and can be discussed later once accepted into the retreat. All fees must be paid in full ONE MONTH prior to the retreat.

      The rate below is the amount you would pay for the whole retreat and does not include teacher dana, which is a separate donation.

      We will not be collecting fees during this application process; however, it is helpful for us to understand your payment intention & need. We also want to understand the volume of scholarship funds needed.

    • FEBRUARY One Month Retreat (27 nights) Sliding Scale Fees - Select One.*
    • MARCH One Month Retreat (27 nights) Sliding Scale Fees - Select One.*
    • TWO MONTH Retreat (54 nights) Sliding Scale Fees - Select One. ALL two-month retreatants will be assigned a single room.*

    • CANCELLATION POLICY:

      Once you have been accepted and register, cancellation fees will apply. If you need to cancel or withdraw your application, let us know as soon as possible.

      >>February and March One-month Retreat Cancellation Policy:

      $125 fee* = on or before 12 weeks prior
      $250 fee* = 8-12 weeks prior
      $500 fee* = 6-8 weeks prior
      $750 fee* = 4-6 weeks prior
      NO REFUNDS = less than ONE MONTH prior (applies to ALL participants)
      *Fees reduced 50% for scholarship participants, excluding last tier.

      >>Two-month Retreat Cancellation Policy:

      $175 fee* = on or before 12 weeks prior
      $350 fee* = 8-12 weeks prior
      $600 fee* = 6-8 weeks prior
      $850 fee* = 4-6 weeks prior
      NO REFUNDS = less than ONE MONTH prior (applies to ALL participants)
      *Fees reduced 50% for scholarship participants, excluding last tier. 

      >>Changes: Prior to acceptance notifications, we can adjust your application if your circumstances have changed. Please advise us as soon as possible. After acceptance into a retreat, any change needs to be approved by the teachers, a space must be available, and a switching fee may apply if you have already paid.

      >>Switching Fees for Monthlongs: If you need to cancel and would like to switch to another monthlong, the following fee will apply in lieu of the above cancellation fee: $100 fee = non-scholarship participants and $50 fee = scholarship participants. Switching is all dependent upon available space in the retreat switching to. If you cancel after switching, the regular cancellation fee will apply. 

    • Are you experiencing financial hardship such that you need a scholarship rate to attend this retreat?*
    • Scholarship Request & Application 

    • Scholarships are needs-based as they have always been and are designed for those who are experiencing financial hardship. For simplicity, we have transitioned to a singular scholarship rate; however, our allocation process remains the same. We prioritize those with the greatest financial need, while equitably distributing scholarship funds in alignment with our core values.

      To apply for a Scholarship Rate, fill out the Scholarship Application below. Scholarship funds are limited and we cannot guarantee we will be able to fulfill all requests for scholarships. We ask that you be as candid as you feel comfortable in sharing your financial situation so we can better understand all scholarship requests. Remember that payment plans are available for scholarship rates as well.

    • Meditation Background 

    • Prerequisite reminder for your reference

      Prerequisites for One Month Retreats: BEFORE applying, you must have already completed at least 14 nights of silent residential retreat time. This retreat time must include a minimum of two (2) silent residential retreats with each of these six (6) nights or longer.

      Prerequisites for Two Month Retreat: BEFORE applying, you must have already completed at least 21 nights of silent residential retreat time. This retreat time must include a minimum of three (3) silent residential retreats with each of these six (6) nights or longer.

      Other Important Notes About Prerequisites: These retreats must have been led by Spirit Rock, IMS, or IRC teachers, or other recognized Insight Meditation teachers. Previous retreats must be silent residential retreats and have a similar format to this retreat, with instructions, practices and talks focused on Insight Meditation. Online retreats DO NOT qualify for these retreat prerequisites. DO NOT list retreats you will attend in the future.

    • Are you or were you ever part of an organized Sangha (community meditation group)?*
    • Do you have or have you had a meditation teacher?*
    • Have you sat a retreat with, or do you have a prior relationship with, any of the teachers on this team?*
    • Accessibility and Physical Well-being 

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

      We would like you to be able to participate in this retreat as fully as possible; however, we are not always able to meet every need. Some of our buildings are of an older generation.

    • Do you have any physical access needs (i.e. need a scooter or other mobility assistance, hearing assist devices, visual, etc.)?*
    • Do you have any condition or history of physical illness or limitations that may interfere with or might be aggravated by sitting and walking practice?*
    • Do you identify as neurodivergent? (i.e. autism spectrum, ADHD, Tourettes, dyslexia, etc.)*
    • Mental and Medical Health Questions 

    • 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 retreat might not be suitable for you at this time. We recommend consulting with a mental health or recovery specialist to determine if this is the right moment for you to attend. Spirit Rock is not a treatment center nor are we mental health professionals.

    • Have you ever been treated for or diagnosed with a psychological condition such as alcohol/drug problems, anxiety and/or depression?*
    • If yes, please CHECK the relevant condition(s) that you are currently dealing with (or practicing with). If not listed, please select 'other' and explain further below.*
    • Are you on any medication for any of the above conditions?*
    • Have you ever seriously contemplated or attempted to take your life?*
    • 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)?*
    • Have you ever experienced adverse effects when practicing meditation?*
    • Are you currently seeing a therapist or psychiatrist?*

    • If yes, you may want to discuss your attendance on this silent retreat with your mental health professional BEFORE attending.

    • If you seem to be having an emergency while on retreat, may we contact your therapist or psychiatrist?*
    • In the last 60 days, have you taken psychoactive substances such as Ayahuasca, Psilocybin, LSD, DMT, Mescaline, Peyote, iboga, San Pedro, ketamine, or other similar substances/etc.?*
    • Do you use a medical device which requires you to have a cell phone or similar device on your person, such as a hearing aid, glucose monitor, or glucose pump, etc.?*
    • Retreat Agreements 

    • PLEASE CAREFULLY READ EACH AGREEMENT:

      • I will follow the retreat guidelines and precepts
      • I agree to practice “taking what is offered” with regards to rooms, food, and other retreat amenities. This kind of renunciation cultivates simplicity for oneself and generosity for others.
      • I agree to arrive on time, stay for the entire retreat and commit to participating as fully as I am capable.
      • I agree to stay on Spirit Rock grounds for the duration of the retreat.
      • I agree to not schedule work meetings, job interviews, or any other kind of appointments during the retreat.
      • I will maintain Noble Silence for the duration of the retreat and limit my speech to practice discussion meetings with teachers, Q&A in the hall, and functional speech needed for my mindful work activity, or to get support from the Spirit Rock staff. If I am coming as a couple or with a good friend, I agree to give that person the gift of a fully silent, solitary retreat.
      • During the retreat, I agree that I will not use my cell phone, tablet, or computer anywhere on the Spirit Rock grounds, unless I have a medical device that requires I have it. (An emergency phone is available in the retreat coordinators’ office.)
      • I agree to set aside listening to music, reading, and writing while on retreat.
      • I agree to meet with a teacher as scheduled for practice discussion meetings. These are NOT optional and an important way for the teachers to support my practice. I will do my best to follow the instructions and guidance of the teachers.
      • I agree, subject to my physical abilities, to engage in my assigned daily mindful work activity. (Jobs can include vacuuming residence halls, dusting and sweeping, washing dishes and pots, dining room cleanup, mopping floors, or cleaning bathrooms.)
      • I agree to not use any scented products.
      • I understand that meals include breakfast, lunch, and a light supper and all meals are lacto-ovo (egg and dairy) vegetarian with wheat-free and vegan alternatives at all meals. I understand that Spirit Rock cannot accommodate individual dietary preferences.
      • I agree that I will not use any non-pharmaceutical psychoactive substances on the Spirit Rock grounds including without limitation: Cannabis, Ayahuasca, Psilocybin, LSD, DMT, Mescaline, Peyote, iboga, San Pedro, etc..
      • In the event of a medical or mental health emergency, I agree to follow the instructions and recommendations of teachers and staff.
    • Participant Photo Upload 

    • Your photo is required in case of a personal or campus-wide emergency, as well as for teachers and retreat staff to easily identify participants. Please select a recent photo where your face is clearly visible and preferrably ONLY YOU in the photo as opposed to a group photo.

       

      HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR FILE/PHOTO:

      1. Click the "Browse Files" (or Drag and Drop)
      2. Navigate to a location on your computer or your mobile device, and select a photo to upload.
      3. It should upload automatically and you should see an image of your photo in, or under, the preview area. If you need to change the image you uploaded, there is a "trash can" icon to the right of the photo. Just click that icon and you can start over.
      4. If you encounter an error during the upload, simply click the "trash can" icon and start over. It is possible that the photo is too large of a file, such as a "Live Photo" from your iPhone. Try selecting a different photo, or edit your photo and turn OFF "Live Photo". Use Google, or a tech savvy friend, to help with how to do this.
      5. If you continue to have difficulties uploading, click the "Save" button to the left of the Submit button. You can send us the link to your document by email: registration@spiritrock.org.
    • Browse Files
      Drag and drop files here
      Choose a file
      Cancelof
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