The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Retreat Dharma Talks at Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Awaken the Elements: Connect with Joy

Explore the timeless wisdom of the Four Elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, in a serene natural environment. Through cultivating mindfulness and connecting with the elements, we will experience the joy of our interconnectedness with the natural world. This retreat will offer silent meditations, opportunities for movement meditation, heart practices, Dharma talks, and restful time to be in nature and honor the natural rhythms of your own practice. As we connect directly with our experience, we develop insights that support our own well being and that of our communities. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat provides a peaceful space to cultivate mindfulness and joy in each moment.

We warmly welcome all practitioners to this retreat. All of our teachers are fluent in both English and Spanish, and are dedicated to supporting your practice in the language that feels most supportive to you. You are encouraged to engage in Practice Meetings and Q&A sessions in either English or Spanish, based on your preference. Dharma Talks, Practice Instructions, and Guided Movement sessions will be offered in English.

2026-06-22 (5 days) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

  
2026-06-23 The 4 Elements, Earth as Creator (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 45:24
Tere Abdala-Romano
We are nothing but Earth inlcuding all its elements, not separete from her/them, Inviting to honor, revere it, seeing clearly the interdependence. Inviting to shift from seeing Earth as a resource to recognizing it as our creator, sustainer, healer, and home. By remembering that we are not separate from the living world—but an expression of it—we cultivate humility, gratitude, ethical responsibility, joy arises from a deeper sense of belonging, inspiring both inner transformation and compassionate care for all life.
2026-06-24 Practicing with patience as a Parami 62:01
Rae Houseman
2026-06-24 Guided Morning Meditation on Body and Breath (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 51:53
Tere Abdala-Romano
Guiding Meditation. Starting with settling the Body and then the breath. A subtle balance between relaxation adn allertness. Focusing on the breath sensations in relationship with the air element.
2026-06-24 Guided Meditation: The Elements and Sky Gazing (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 29:59
Tere Abdala-Romano
Guided meditation starting with settling the body, then the breath as air element,then identifying the the rest of the four elements in our bodies,the solidity of air, the fluidity and cohesion of water and the temperature of fire. At last a guided with instructions sky gazing meditation to do outside.
2026-06-25 Equanimity and Compassion (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 67:16
Tere Abdala-Romano
Further into the Brahma Viharas, talk about equanimity or Upekha, the two types of equanimity , how to cultivate the second one, given that the first one can only be achieved by cultivating all the Paramis. Then a short guided meditation based on the Tibetan Tonglem of bringing other's pain/suffering into our hearts to tranform them into light.
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