Saturday, September 6, 2025

September News & Insights

 

Spirit Rock - An Insight Meditation Center
Reflections from Our Founding Teacher

One of the beautiful things about Spirit Rock—alongside the magnificent land and the palpable energy of thousands who’ve practiced here—is the presence of traditional symbols of awakening throughout the property. We move mindfully past the granite Buddha, the colorful prayer wheel, the thangkas and paintings, and the gracious Quan Yin. These inspire reflection and remind us of our shared path.

Now, I’m excited to share that construction has begun on a long-envisioned addition: a large community stupa in the Spirit Rock meadow.

Stupas are traditional symbols of devotion and meditation, dating back to the time of the Buddha, when stupa mounds were created to honor his ashes. In the centuries since, stupas have been constructed across the Buddhist world to honor his teachings and the teachers who followed him.

A private ceremony in August marked the formal beginning of the project, including the ritual placement of community blessings and golden stones inscribed with Buddha, Dharma, Saṅgha, Mettā, Karuṇā, Muditā, and Upekkhā. We look forward to welcoming you to a public dedication ceremony in spring 2026 once the stupa is finished.

With mettā,

Jack Kornfield

 
 
 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Stupa Construction Begins: Blessings Placed, Completion Set for April
In August, construction began on our community stupa, with completion anticipated in April 2026. As Spirit Rock founding teacher Jack Kornfield notes above, stupas are traditional symbols of devotion and meditation. At a recent private ceremony, we placed thousands of blessings from you, our saṅgha, into the foundation, and Jack and Ayya Santacitta offered short teachings. Founding teacher James Baraz, senior teachers including Phillip Moffitt, Guy and Sally Armstrong, and other honored guests joined us for the consecration.

September Dharma

Awareness
Dharma Talk | Will Kabat-Zinn | July 27, 2015
 
In this Dharma talk, Will Kabat-Zinn offers a reflection on what it means to truly be here, beyond our stories of self. He shows how easily we become “encased in thought,” mistaking our mental commentary for life itself. He invites us to slow down, notice what’s actually happening, and rediscover the awareness beneath identity and habit—the steady, spacious knowing in which every thought, feeling, and sensation arises and passes. As Will reminds us, “you are something much vaster than you think."
LISTEN TO THIS TALK
Upcoming Programs with Will Kabat-Zinn

Support Spirit Rock

Monthly Giving
The Buddha spoke of offering generosity as the first of the heart qualities that lead to awakening. Monthly giving, no matter the amount, is an opportunity to practice this quality while sustaining our community, the land, and everything it takes to tend this precious refuge. Please consider becoming part of a core community of dedicated supporters by joining Spirit Rock’s Stewardship Saṅgha.
Stewardship Saṅgha

Recipe of the Month

Corn and Coconut Chowder
The Spirit Rock Kitchen
 
This soup recipe is a vegan spin on a typically dairy-rich corn chowder. We offer it for supper during retreats in the summer months when corn is abundant. The recipe also works well with frozen corn, so consider adding it to your fall and winter soup repertoire too!
View Recipe

FLORA & FAUNA

Help Us Keep Coyotes Wild
We’ve recently seen a young coyote on Spirit Rock property that feels a little too comfortable around people. While its presence may seem sweet, it’s important for its safety that it keeps a natural distance. Marin Humane and WildCare suggest “gentle hazing” when juvenile coyotes are nearby—clapping, calling out, or banging pots and pans. These simple actions help the coyote stay wild and safe. Please enjoy its beauty while giving it space.

RETREAT & PROGRAM UPDATES

RetreatsTrainings & Classes

September At-a-Glance

Retreats
Sep 11-14 | 3 nights
Insight Meditation for the Curious: Essentials Retreat for New and Experienced Meditators (Join Wait List)
Diana Winston, Carol Cano, Alex Haley, and Lissa Edmond
Sep 15-19 | 4 nights
Rooted and Resilient: Embodied Meditation and Qigong (Join Wait List)
Anne Cushman and Teja Bell
Sep 15-19 | 4 nights
Clearing the Path: Opening the Heart and Mind (Join Wait List)
Gullu Singh, Louije Kim, Dawn Mauricio, and Jonathan Relucio
Sep 20-25 | 5 nights
Awakening through the Three Characteristics: A Women’s Liberation Retreat
Erin Selover, Kate Johnson, Victoria Cary, and Monica Magtoto
Sep 26-30 | 4 nights
Devotion to the Sacred (Join Wait List)
James Baraz, Anam Thubten, Trudy Goodman, and Jill White Lindsay
Sep 26-30 | 4 nights
Finding Freedom through Insight Meditation (Join Wait List)
Brian Lesage and Neesha Patel
Programs
Saturday, Sep 6 | On-Land
Fall Family Day (Join Wait List)
Kate Munding and Eve Decker
Sunday, Sep 7 | Online
What Remains is Love: Transforming Regret and Reclaiming Joy with Mindfulness and Compassion Practices
Grace Fisher
Monday, Sep 8 | Online
Monday Night Meditation & Talk
Jack Kornfield
Saturday, Sep 13 | On-Land
Sacred Sounds Sessions: Jai Uttal's Mantra Love with Prajna Vieira
Jai Uttal and Prajna Vieira
Sunday, Sep 14 | On-Land & Online | Dana/By donation
Earth Awareness Dharma: Nurturing Interdependence and Stewardship
Ayya Santacitta and Carol Cano
Friday - Sunday, Sep 19-21 | Online
Restructuring Your Life: Making Inner and Outer Changes that Align with Who You Are Now (Join Wait List)
Phillip Moffitt and Jennifer Ward
Saturday, Sep 20 | Online
Compassion, Courage, Wisdom, and Love
Jack Kornfield
Sunday, Sep 21 | On-Land & Online
Befriending Mortality: Practices for Living An Awakened Life Through Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati)
Nikki Mirghafori
Sunday, Sep 28 | Online
Focused Attention: Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity
Tina Rasmussen
6 Sundays: Sep 28 – Nov 2 | Online
Fall Middle School Meditation Series
Gavrila Abramson and Teresa Todoroff
6 Sundays: Sep 28 – Nov 2 | Online
Fall High School Meditation Series
Anthony "T" Maes and Tanzanite Msola
VIEW ALL UPCOMING PROGRAMS

May All Beings Be Safe
 
 
 

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