Mindfulness and Metta: An Insight Meditation Retreat

Imagine seven days of unbroken silence, where your only task is to return again and again to the present moment. At this seven-night insight meditation retreat in Woodacre, California, you'll step away from the noise of daily life to cultivate profound stability of mind and a tender quality of loving-kindness—metta—toward yourself and all beings. Led by renowned teachers Vance Pryor and Kamala Masters, this retreat at the renowned Spirit Rock Meditation Center creates the rare conditions needed to settle your mind into genuine ease and clarity.

This is not a casual weekend workshop. It's an immersive, silent retreat rooted in the rigorous Mahasi and U Pandita traditions, practices proven over decades to transform how we perceive ourselves and relate to life. Whether you've meditated for twenty years or picked up a cushion for the first time, you'll practice alongside others in a sacred container specifically designed to deepen your insight. Held in the Upper Meditation Hall—a ritually-consecrated space known for its palpable stillness—the retreat guides you to examine the mental attitudes that shape your experience and, in doing so, unlock wisdom applicable far beyond the meditation hall.

By the final day, many practitioners discover a quality of mind they've never known before: alert yet relaxed, attentive yet easeful. You leave not with answers, but with a clearer way of seeing and being.

What to Expect

Your days follow a gentle, consistent rhythm: sitting meditation, walking meditation, and mindful participation in daily activities like meals and work practice. This continuity of attention is what transforms a retreat from a pleasant retreat into a profound one. Teachers Vance Pryor and Kamala Masters offer guidance through their presence and wisdom, with dedicated Q&A sessions and practice discussions to support your unfolding. Apart from these scheduled teacher interactions, the retreat unfolds in complete silence—a profound gift that allows your mind to settle deeply.

The Mahasi and U Pandita traditions emphasize clear seeing and direct investigation into the nature of mind and experience. You'll learn to observe what arises with gentle, open receptivity rather than effort or force. This approach naturally cultivates both insight and compassion, especially as you apply the practice of metta—loving-kindness—to yourself and others.

Venue & Logistics

Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, is a purpose-built retreat sanctuary nestled in Marin County's redwood hills. The retreat runs for seven nights beginning Saturday, November 14, 2026. Wear comfortable, modest clothing suitable for sitting and walking practice. The center provides meals and accommodations; bring only personal necessities and any medications you require. For questions about accessibility or health considerations, contact Spirit Rock directly before registering.