An eight-day hybrid on-line and on-land retreat with US dharma teacher Gil Fronsdal
This eight-day hybrid on-line and on-land retreat offers a rare opportunity to connect with one of the most highly-respected insight teachers in the US, Gil Fronsdal, while practising together in community in the powerful natural environment of Te Moata.
On-land retreat option
Held in silence and grounded in the practice of mindfulness, each day, there will be sessions of guided and silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma talks, work meditation, practice discussion with the teachers and a period of optional, gentle mindful movement.
Gil will offer daily practice instructions and a dharma talk via Zoom, and each participant will have two individual practice discussions with him online.
Jill will support the participants on site through a short evening dharma talk, silent sittings, and extra practice discussions as needed.
There will be an optional mindful movement session each day, led by Donna Lavell.
Audit option
In addition to the residential retreat option, a small number of places will be available for people to access the retreat teachings as auditors. The audit option allows people to join Gil's on-line teaching sessions via Zoom and to have access to recordings of the talks and guided meditations. Auditors will not have individual practice discussions with Gil, but there will be two optional opportunities to meet with Jill for a small group practice discussion on Zoom.
Teachers
Gil Fronsdal (USA), supported by Jill Shepherd (NZ)
Gil Fronsdal is the founding teacher, and a co-guiding teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California and the Insight Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, California. He has been teaching since 1990. Gil has practiced Zen and Vipassana since 1975 and has a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from Stanford. He is a husband and father of two boys.
You can read Articles by Gil and see information on Gil’s Books on this site.
You may listen to Gil’s talks on Audio Dharma.
Jill Shepherd is the founding teacher of Auckland Insight. See her bio here.
Experience level
This retreat is best suited to people who have done at least two previous insight meditation two-day residential retreats or equivalent.
Te Moata Retreat Centre information
Accommodation: Rooms are mainly curtained cubicles with shared bathrooms. Men and women are housed separately. A limited number of single rooms/cabins/cottages are available at a $10 a day surcharge.
Food: The centre will provide simple vegetarian meals for the retreat. Please indicate on the registration form if you have any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Work meditation: To help integrate mindfulness into daily life activities, there will be a period of work meditation each day of approximately 45 minutes.
Retreat fees
sliding scale $900-$700 + dana*
Supporter rate $900 - Slightly more than actual-cost ticket: covers cost of food, accommodation and retreat administration, plus a contribution to scholarships for low-income attendees
Actual cost $800 - Actual-cost ticket covers cost of food, accommodation and retreat administration only
Scholarship rate $700 - Below cost ticket: covers a contribution towards cost of food and accommodation only
The retreat fee covers only the cost of food and accommodation and retreat administration. The teaching is freely offered, and there will be an opportunity to give dāna* to the teachers at the end of the retreat.
To reserve a place on the retreat, you will need to pay a deposit through Humanitix. For the residential retreat option, the balance of the retreat payment is due one week after registering with Humanitix. Account details for balance payments will be included on your Humanitix confirmation email.
Cancellation policy: The payment is refundable up to thirty days before the retreat begins. If you cancel after this time, the retreat cost will be forfeited and used to help provide scholarship places.
If we have to cancel the retreat due to Covid-19, you will receive a full refund.
*Dāna: In most Buddhist traditions the teachers are not paid to teach. Instead, the teachings are given on a ‘dāna’ basis – dana being the Pali word for generosity or giving freely - so there will be an opportunity to offer a donation for the teaching at the end of the event.
Please note: Single Accommodation and Bedding surcharges are payable directly to Te Moata so please bring cash for this and pay on arrival.