Following Insight Meditation retreats first held on the West Coast in 1974, a group of Insight Meditation Practitioners, including Jack Kornfield, Sylvia Boorstein, Anna Douglas, Howard Cohn and James Baraz, founded the Dharma Foundation in 1977. Its purposes were to sponsor more retreats (the first being in Yucca Valley, CA, that same year) and to publish the Inquiring Mind, a Journal of the Vipassana Community, which it did for several years.
It also helped sponsor sitting groups, which led to the Monday night classes initiated in Marin County, CA, in 1984. In 1985, members of several Bay Area sitting groups incorporated Insight Meditation West for the purpose of acquiring land and establishing a West Coast Insight Meditation Center. The community continued to grow and plan a permanent dharma center.
It also helped sponsor sitting groups, which led to the Monday night classes initiated in Marin County, CA, in 1984. In 1985, members of several Bay Area sitting groups incorporated Insight Meditation West for the purpose of acquiring land and establishing a West Coast Insight Meditation Center. The community continued to grow and plan a permanent dharma center.
Services
Spirit Rock Center is being created as a living mandala, a western dharma and retreat center dedicated to discovering and establishing the Dharma in our lives. As a community, we dedicate ourselves to realization. Together we give birth to a new center in which the heart of wisdom can unfold through traditional Buddhist practice and its actualization in the world.
Amidst the political and social challenges of our times and in light of our commitment to liberation, Spirit Rock declares itself to be a spiritual sanctuary and a refuge for all. We will honor and protect those who come here seeking the teachings of liberation. We are stewards of the Dharma; we build bridges, not walls.
Spirit Rock is located in the San Geronimo valley of West Marin County, California on unceded Coast Miwok territory, in an area known as Graton Rancheria. We name the history of this beloved place as a gesture of respect and reparation toward the Indigenous residents of the colonized land we now call home.
Matthew Brensilver, PhD, served as a Buddhist chaplain at USC and teaches about the intersection of mindfulness and mental health at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center and with Mindful Schools. He serves on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, the Guiding Teachers Committee, and completed the Spirit Rock/IMS teacher training program and regularly offers retreats at Spirit Rock and the Insight Retreat Center.
Thank you for your input. Over the last several months it has been a beautiful process to see Spirit Rock directly reflected in your eyes-and utilize that as the basis for Spirit Rock 2025. IN-PERSON: The strength of in-person transmission of the teachings in sangha with others (93%). INCLUSION: Spirit Rock's commitment to actions that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for all who wish undertake the practice (91%).
Reviews (9)
Ruma Tenbrink
Jan 06, 2022
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"Silence Is Golden" no truer words have ever been spoken. If you want to up-level your personal best, go to a silent meditation retreat here at Spirit Rock Meditation Center or find one near you. I left this retreat a kinder, more compassionate, more patient human being with more love for myself than ever before. I actually feel different in my own skin, which is quite amazing and as I look through my eyes I feel that I'm looking through a different pair of lenses. I consider this place my Spiritual Home and I can't wait to go back. The simple daily rhythms could actually be difficult at times
Daniele E.
Aug 17, 2021
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Cade Klock
Jan 05, 2020
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Not for experienced meditators.
I visited here several years ago, on my way through town, and the staff seemed confused when I asked about a nice quiet place to meditate. They were more interested in selling me a class than allowing me to experience stillness and presence (for free) on their property.
I sat on a bench there for about an hour in deep meditation, and nobody forced me to leave, so I am appreciative.
"Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek." - Dalai Lama
I visited here several years ago, on my way through town, and the staff seemed confused when I asked about a nice quiet place to meditate. They were more interested in selling me a class than allowing me to experience stillness and presence (for free) on their property.
I sat on a bench there for about an hour in deep meditation, and nobody forced me to leave, so I am appreciative.
"Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek." - Dalai Lama
Alice Zhao
Oct 20, 2019
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Spent a lovely New Year’s Day here on a retreat with Sylvia - a long term teacher at spirit rock. What a tranquil place with lovely hills. The retreat was absolutely amazing with kind teaching from Sylvia and classic Bach Cello and drum tunes from her friends. Surreal experience. I am grateful that I could spent the New Year’s Day here. I wish more people could experience Dhamma talks / retreats here - as the fees are high. But they do offer scholarships / volunteer opportunities to make it more accessible for everyone.
Janet Fouts
Sep 29, 2019
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Lisa Lim
Jul 28, 2019
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Brian Reinhardt
Jul 25, 2019
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A very special place for a half day or day long or residential retreat.this meditation center is a very special gift to all of us. The teachers are exceptional, the food is outstanding, the teachings are, as they say, priceless. I especially enjoy going on Wednesday mornings for Sylvia Boorstein's (and friends) sessions. I have also attended quite a few residential retreats and I can describe them as life changing.
Anita Scheve Bon
Nov 04, 2017
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Chong Yim
Jan 25, 2014
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I had a day-long not too long ago. It was my first time and I wanted to experience the center in more ways than just sitting in the small room with so many people. During the silent walking meditation period, there were so many people and we weren't allowed to go to the main building area, so even though we were walking outside, people were too close to one another and had to spread out to parking area which wasn't very serene!
I was really hoping that I could enjoy a serene and quiet space while attending the retreat but it was too crowded and restricted. The retreat itself was nice, but maybe
I was really hoping that I could enjoy a serene and quiet space while attending the retreat but it was too crowded and restricted. The retreat itself was nice, but maybe
