Finding Freedom through Insight Meditation

Finding Freedom through Insight Meditation is a five-night silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. It is a residential Insight Meditation (vipassana) retreat in the Theravada tradition, led by Brian Lesage, Matthew Brensilver and Cara Lai. It welcomes beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Insight Meditation is a simple, direct practice of moment-to-moment awareness that can steady the mind and soften the heart. Over these days, the aim is continuous mindfulness in silence, held within a steady rhythm of stillness and movement.

What to Expect

The retreat begins with an afternoon arrival, followed by an orientation to the schedule and guidelines. The following four days are full practice days, with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks from the teaching team, and meals taken in silence. Small group meetings and personal instruction are available as needed. On the last morning there is meditation practice, a final Dharma talk, and an opportunity to offer dana before departure at 11:00 AM.

The retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups and other practice meetings. As the usual barrage of stimulation falls away, there is room to listen more closely to what is here: body, feeling tone, emotion, thought, and the subtle movements of reactivity and release. Practicing with kindness and equanimity helps experience become clearer, and from that clear seeing, compassion and wisdom can arise naturally. Instruction, chanting and discussion time with the teachers are part of the program.

The Teachers

Brian Lesage has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1988 and has taught since 2000. He was ordained in the Rinzai Zen tradition in 1996 and has studied in Zen, Theravada and Tibetan schools. His vipassana training includes extended retreats in Myanmar, Nepal and India. He teaches nationwide, keeps a private Somatic Experiencing practice, and completed the SRMC/IMS/IRC teacher training in 2016.

Matthew Brensilver, PhD, teaches at the Insight Retreat Center, Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation Society. Before teaching meditation full-time, he spent years researching addiction pharmacotherapy at the UCLA Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine. He remains interested in the dialogue between Buddhism and science.

Cara Lai has dedicated her life to awakening, for herself and others. A working mom, she is known for teaching that is relatable, authentic, funny, sometimes crass, and accessible to many people.

The Setting

The retreat takes place on the Spirit Rock campus in Woodacre, using the Upper Meditation Hall and the center's retreat facilities. Most rooms are single occupancy, and only 16 of the 80 rooms are doubles. Single rooms are limited and are first prioritized for people with serious medical needs, though a small number of guaranteed single rooms are offered at the top of the sliding scale. A shared resting area is available during the day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Group size is up to 80.

Before You Go

The retreat is taught in English and is suited to both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Those with no meditation background are encouraged to attend two or three daylong programs first, and anyone new to silent retreat can contact the registration department for preparation guidance.

Registration includes five nights of accommodation, all meals, meditation instruction, Dharma talks, Q&A and small group meetings. Transportation to and from Spirit Rock is not included, nor is teacher dana, which is an optional offering made at the end of the retreat.

Spirit Rock offers its retreats on a sliding scale, with scholarships for those with financial need, and payment plans are available. A commuter option, without overnight accommodation, exists for people who have already completed a weeklong silent residential Insight retreat. Because participants live closely together, anyone who is sick is asked to stay home.