In the Presence of Love: Cultivating an Awakened Heart

In the Presence of Love: Cultivating an Awakened Heart is a silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, led by John Martin and Devin Berry. It is rooted in the Insight Meditation tradition, with vipassanā and mettā practice at its center. It suits both newer meditators and experienced practitioners who want to deepen or refresh their practice.

What to Expect

The retreat gathers around four heart qualities: lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The aim is a gentle, open-hearted awareness, so that as practice deepens the heart becomes more naturally responsive to experience, meeting it with love, balance, and ease.

The days alternate sitting and walking meditation, with guided meditations on the heart qualities and a Dharma talk each day. Teachers offer guidance and support throughout the day. There is also an emphasis on carrying these practices back into daily life.

The retreat runs three nights, from Saturday to Tuesday. Check-in is between 2:30 and 4:30 PM on Saturday, followed by an opening session, orientation, and a first period of meditation. Sunday and Monday make up the core of the retreat: sitting and walking periods, guided practice, Dharma talks, teacher-led Q&A, and small group meetings. On Tuesday there are final meditation sessions and a closing Dharma talk, and departure is at 11:00 AM.

The retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, and other practice meetings.

About John Martin

John Martin has practiced the Dharma since 2001 and serves as Co-Chair of the Spirit Rock Guiding Teachers Council. He teaches Vipassanā, Mettā, and LGBTQI-themed meditation retreats, as well as dedicated practitioner programs, and he supports people in bringing practice into daily life.

About Devin Berry

Devin Berry is a Core Guiding Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society and a residential retreat teacher at both IMS and Spirit Rock. He has meditated since 1999, and his practice is grounded in long-term retreat practice and the mettā and vipassanā teachings of the Insight Meditation tradition. A storyteller at heart, he teaches at community saṅghas across the country and internationally, drawing on lived experience and a deep love of the Dharma.

The Setting

Spirit Rock Meditation Center is in Woodacre, California. The retreat is residential, with up to 80 participants. Of the center's 80 rooms, 16 are double occupancy and the rest are single. Single rooms are first prioritized for people with serious medical needs, and a limited number are guaranteed at the highest tier of the sliding scale. All meals are provided. Transportation to and from Spirit Rock is not included.

Retreat commuters, who attend the full retreat and meals but sleep elsewhere, may be offered a place once the retreat is full. They must have previously attended a weeklong silent residential Insight retreat.

Before You Go

The retreat welcomes beginners and experienced meditators alike. If you have never meditated, Spirit Rock suggests starting with two or three daylong programs before a residential retreat, and asks first-time meditators to contact the registration department for guidance. Online retreat experience does not count toward residential prerequisites. The retreat is taught in English.

Included are three nights of accommodation, all meals, sitting and walking meditation, guided meditations, daily Dharma talks, Q&A, small groups, and use of the meditation hall and retreat facilities. Teacher dana is not included. At the end of the retreat there is an invitation to make a voluntary offering to the teachers and to Spirit Rock.

Rates are on a sliding scale, with scholarships for those in financial need. Payment plans are available. Because participants live closely together, anyone who is sick is asked to stay home.