Note: Event begins at 3:00pm PT / 6:00pm ET
Online Meditation Retreat
This 3-day online retreat will explore the practice of Insight Meditation, the direct practice of moment-to-moment mindfulness. This retreat provides a valuable opportunity to deepen the skills of awareness and to cultivate inner freedom. Participants will deepen their understanding and learn to find balance and freedom within the flow of change. The teachers will offer guidance in developing attitude to kindness, relaxation, and inquiry towards oneself, one’s experience, and life in general.
This retreat is open to all levels of experience and will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks, and small group practice discussion.
Registration for this retreat is now closed.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
All of The Following Times Are EASTERN Daylight Time
* All sessions marked with an * are required for full-time yogis.
Thursday, August 19 – Opening Night
6:00 pm ET Welcome & Opening Session *
8:15 pm ET Break
8:45 pm ET Lovingkindness Practice *
9:15 pm ET End of Day
Friday, August 20 – Day of Practice
8:00 am ET Early morning meditation (optional for west coast)
8:30 am ET Breakfast / Practice / Take Care of Life as You See Fit
9:55 am ET Arrive and Settle *
10:00 am ET Morning Instructions and Sitting Meditation *
11:00 am ET Walking Meditation (or Practice Meeting) *
11:30 am ET Sitting Meditation *
12:00 pm ET Walking Meditation (or Practice Meeting) *
12:30 pm ET Sitting Meditation *
1:00 pm ET Lunch / Practice / Take Care of Life as You See Fit
3:30 pm ET Q&A Session
4:15 pm ET Walking Meditation (or Practice Meeting)
4:45 pm ET Sitting Meditation *
5:30 pm ET Dinner / Practice / Take Care of Life as You See Fit
7:25 pm ET Arrive and Settle *
7:30 pm ET Dharma Talk *
8:15 pm ET Walking meditation
8:45 pm ET Lovingkindness meditation *
9:30 pm ET End of Day
Saturday, August 21
8:00 am ET Early morning meditation (optional for west coast)
8:30 am ET Breakfast / Practice / Take Care of Life as You See Fit
9:55 am ET Arrive and Settle *
10:00 am ET Morning Instructions and Sitting Meditation *
11:00 am ET Walking Meditation
11:30 am ET Sitting Meditation *
12:00 pm ET Walking Meditation
12:30 pm ET Lunch / Practice / Take Care of Life as You See Fit
1:30 pm ET Closing Session *
3:00 pm ET End of Retreat
About the Teachers
Oren Jay Sofer
Oren Jay Sofer teaches workshops and retreats on meditation and communication nationally. A member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, he holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University, is a Somatic Experiencing for healing of trauma, and is a certified trainer of Nonviolent Communication. Oren is also the author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication.
DaRa Williams
DaRa Williams has practiced Insight Meditation for more than 25 years. She completed the Spirit Rock/IMS/IRC Teacher Training, and serves on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, and as an Associate Guiding Teacher at IMS. DaRa is a trainer and wellness coach, and has been a clinician and administrator in the mental health field for over 25 years. She is a certified Focusing Oriented Therapist and a practitioner and trainer of Aboriginal Focusing Oriented Complex Trauma Therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
I need to do some work during the retreat. Can I still attend?
We ask all participants to disengage from work, social activities and other duties as much as possible during the retreat. At the same time, we understand that it may not be possible to put aside all responsibilities while participating in an at-home retreat. Some participants may need to attend to childcare, professional work, etc. You are still welcome to register and attend the retreat as long as you are able to attend all of the sessions marked with an asterisk (the exact retreat schedule will be posted on this page soon).
I need to miss part of the retreat. Can I still attend?
We ask that all participants attend all sessions marked with an asterisk (the exact retreat schedule will be posted on this page soon). As long as you are able to attend all of these sessions you are welcome to register. If you cannot attend one or more of these sessions, please email us to request permission. Please include information about the nature of the scheduling conflict as well as your experience attending silent meditation retreats.
Are there pre-requisites? I’ve never attended a silent meditation. Is this appropriate for me?
There are no pre-requisites to attend this retreat and meditators of all levels/experience are welcome. That said, we generally recommend that you attend at least one or more meditation daylong retreats that emphasize continued sitting and walking meditation. This will give you a sense of both the challenges and rewards of putting aside all other activities and distractions and meditating for many hours a day.
I’ve never done a retreat before practice. Is this retreat appropriate?
Yes. This retreat will introduce you to the basics of both Insight Meditation and Metta or “Lovingkindness’” meditation.
It’s not quiet at my house. Can I still join?
Yes. While it’s ideal to have a quiet environment (and we encourage to find a quiet place to stay for the duration of the retreat if possible) it’s not necessary. We will offer instructions on how to work with distracting sounds during the retreat.
I can’t afford the registration fee. Do you provide scholarships?
We are committed to making this retreat and these practices accessible to everyone regardless of financial means. If you are unable to afford the registration fee, please email us.