Waking up to Wisdom through Mindfulness and Kindness

With Dave Smith and Cheryl Slean

September 7 - 16, 2023

Date and Time Details: Check-in is from 3:00-5:00 on the first day of the retreat. The retreat will close mid-morning on the last day of the retreat. (Learn more)

PRICE: We offer a sliding scale structure. Scholarships are available, see below. Prices for this retreat range from $882-$2,475 (not including teacher dana and add-on items). (Learn more)

DANA: This is a dana-based retreat. (Learn more)

SHUTTLE SERVICE: Shuttle Service is available for this retreat. (Learn more)

NOBLE SILENCE: This retreat will be held in noble silence. (Learn more)

SCHOLARSHIP / FELLOWSHIP AVAILABILITY: Scholarships are available on a limited basis for Hemera, BIPOC, and Needs Based. (Learn more)

SAFETY: We are committed to providing a safe environment for gathering. We have created multiple precautions to hold our time together. (Learn more)

  • Casita (Highest Rate) – $1,755.00
  • Casita (Middle Rate) – $1,485.00
  • Casita (Lowest Rate) – $1,260.00
  • Yurt (Highest Rate) – $1,755.00
  • Yurt (Middle Rate) – $1,485.00
  • Yurt (Lowest Rate) – $1,260.00
  • Tent Cabin (Highest Rate) – $1,395.00
  • Tent Cabin (Middle Rate) – $1,170.00
  • Tent Cabin (Lowest Rate) – $945.00
  • Hermitage (Lowest Rate) – $2,475.00

During this 9-day Insight meditation retreat, we will learn to develop a greater sense of presence and ease through the revolutionary practices of the dharma. Vipassana meditation (insight or mindfulness practice) unites the stillness of concentration and the immediacy of moment-to-moment awareness, helping us see clearly, and intuitively understand the truth of experience within and around us. Metta practice calls forth the beautiful spiritual emotions: kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. Mindfulness of these qualities strengthens and brings them into fruition. The retreat, conducted in noble silence, is an opportunity to strengthen these practices and help guide our minds and hearts toward awakening to our full potential.

The retreat is suitable for new and experienced practitioners. Please note that insight retreat practice is conducted in noble silence, except for discussion periods and teacher meetings. We invite our friends working in substance abuse treatment to learn more about fellowships available from Hemera.

COVID Safety Measures: Please review our current COVID Safety Measures, which are subject to change. We are creating this web page in January and retreats will not begin until late May. We very much understand how much things can change between now and the start of our retreat season.  Our Medical Committee is actively and regularly updating our protocols. 

About the Teachers

Dave Smith

Dave Smith is an internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and published author. His background is rooted in the Insight Meditation tradition and he was empowered to teach through the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society. He has extensive experience bringing meditative interventions into jails, prisons, youth detention centers and addiction treatment facilities. […]

Learn more about Dave Smith

Cheryl Slean

Cheryl Slean has been practicing Insight meditation intensively since 1995 and has taught classes and retreats worldwide for 15 years in both spiritual and secular settings. Cheryl is also a writer, filmmaker and climate advocate, and is manager of Sustainability and Storytelling at Netflix.

Learn more about Cheryl Slean