Spirit Rock Meditation Center

What Spirit Rock Meditation Center does

Spirit Rock Meditation Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit spiritual-education institution founded in 1987 in Woodacre, California, by Jack Kornfield alongside Sylvia Boorstein, Anna Douglas, Howard Cohn, and James Baraz. The organization delivers Insight Meditation (vipassanā) and lovingkindness (metta) training through multi-day silent retreats, daylongs, drop-in groups, and multi-year teacher-training programs conducted on a 411-acre oak-woodland campus 45 minutes north of San Francisco, supplemented by online and hybrid programming that reaches a global audience. Its core methodology combines continuous mental noting, body scanning, and investigation of changing phenomena with structured residential retreat containers and is grounded in Burmese vipassanā and Thai Forest Saṅgha lineages.

Spirit Rock supports practitioners and teachers across 400+ programs annually with 67 staff members. Offerings are priced on a per-program basis (subsidized by scholarships), supplemented by monthly recurring donations at $25+/month (Stewardship Saṅgha), annual benefactor gifts of $1,000+ (Sure Heart Saṅgha), estate-planned giving (Legacy Saṅgha), and bookstore/merchandise sales. The center serves a broad demographic: general practitioners, young adults (18–32), BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, seniors, families with children, and healthcare professionals seeking accredited continuing-education credits. In January 2025, Spirit Rock launched the EcoDharma & Transformational Culture Program, expanding into climate-and-spirituality programming in partnership with Braided Wisdom, One Earth Sangha, Aloka Earth Room, and Awake in the Wild, with funding support from the Waverley Street Foundation. The organization maintains a Board of Directors with governance and fiduciary input from senior figures in private equity, law, technology, and academia.

Name

Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Legal name

Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Website

https://spiritrock.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Spirit Rock Meditation Center is a Woodacre, California–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that delivers Insight Meditation retreats, classes, and online programs to individual practitioners, affinity communities, and healthcare professionals globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Meditation Retreat and Contemplative Education

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF), Guided Meditation Instruction (1:1 & Group) (HSADAJAA), Sound Meditation & Sound Bath Sessions (HSADAJAD), Holistic & Alternative Therapy Retreats (Naturopathy, Energy Work) (THAGAMAI)

Keywords

• Meditation retreats
• Buddhist education
• Mindfulness training
• Contemplative programs
• Insight meditation

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodacre

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged for retreats, classes, daylongs, and training programs. Pricing varies by program type, duration, and format (on-land vs. online). Scholarships are available to reduce financial barriers.
2. Donations and Dāna: Voluntary donations from the community supporting the organization. Traditional Buddhist practice of generosity (dāna) where practitioners offer gifts to teachers and the sangha.
3. Stewardship Saṅgha Membership: Monthly recurring donations of $25 or more, providing members with access to exclusive teachings, Dharma library, and community connection.
4. Sure Heart Saṅgha Benefactors: Annual contributions of $1,000 or more from major donors receiving special benefits and community access.
5. Legacy/Estate Gifts: Bequests and planned gifts from donors including Spirit Rock as a beneficiary in wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or other estate planning vehicles.
6. Workplace Giving: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations to Spirit Rock.
7. Bookstore Sales: Sale of Dharma books, meditation resources, andSpirit Rock merchandise through the on-site bookstore.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Spirit Rock Meditation Center delivers Buddhist Insight Meditation and lovingkindness programs through residential silent retreats (1 day to 2 months), daylongs, drop-in groups, classes, and teacher training at its 411-acre Woodacre, California campus, complemented by live-streamed online programs and a digital Dharma Library. It also operates the EcoDharma & Transformational Culture Program, family programs, continuing education for healthcare professionals, and a bookstore.

Product overview

Spirit Rock Meditation Center offers a comprehensive suite of Buddhist meditation and mindfulness programs, primarily structured as in-person retreats and classes at its 411-acre campus in West Marin County, California, supplemented by online offerings. The core portfolio includes Multi-Day Silent Meditation Retreats (ranging from 1 day to 2 months), Drop-In Groups (weekly meditation sessions), Daylongs & Weekends, Classes & Trainings (including multi-year teacher training programs), and Family Programs. Supporting resources include the Dharma Library (digital talks, articles, recipes), Practice Guides, and the Dharma Institute with on-demand courses. The center also operates membership communities (Stewardship Saṅgha, Sure Heart Saṅgha, Legacy Saṅgha), scholarship programs, a bookstore, and gift certificates. In January 2025, the EcoDharma & Transformational Culture Program was launched as a new initiative at the intersection of spirituality and climate action. Programs are offered on-land, online, and in hybrid formats to serve global communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multi-Day Silent Meditation Retreats Residential silent meditation retreats lasting from one day to two months, offering intensive practice in Insight Meditation (vipassanā) and lovingkindness (mettā) at the 411-acre Woodacre campus for individual practitioners of all levels.
• Drop-In Groups Weekly and monthly community meditation gatherings including Monday Night Meditation & Talk, Wednesday Morning Dharma, and specialty groups such as Rainbow Saṅgha, Women's Saṅgha, and BIPOC Voices Saṅgha.
• Daylongs and Weekends Single-day and weekend meditation programs offering teachings, guided practice, and Dharma talks for practitioners of all levels, available on-land and online.
• Classes and Trainings Structured educational programs including the four-year Teacher Training Program, Dedicated Practitioners Program, Dharma Yoga & Meditation Training, and Mindfulness in Law Teacher Training.
• Family Programs Age-appropriate meditation and mindfulness programs for families, including the annual Family Residential Retreat and bi-annual Family Daylong events for children ages 4-14 and parents.
• Dharma Library Digital resource repository containing recorded Dharma talks, articles on mindfulness and meditation, and recipes from the Spirit Rock kitchen, accessible to practitioners worldwide.
• Dharma Institute Structured Buddhist study and practice program offering courses in Buddhist texts, meditation techniques, and lineage history, including on-demand self-paced online courses.
• EcoDharma & Transformational Culture Program Environmental and climate-focused program launched January 2025 offering online lectures, class series, in-person retreats, and training programs at the intersection of spirituality and climate action.
• Continuing Education Credits for Healthcare Professionals Accredited continuing education programs for healthcare professionals including psychologists, therapists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and chiropractors seeking CE credits and mindfulness training.
• Young Adult Retreat Specialized 5-day meditation retreat designed for young adults ages 18-32, offering mindfulness and compassion practice in a supportive peer community.
• Stewardship Saṅgha Membership Monthly giving program offering $25+ per month membership with benefits including access to Jack Kornfield's private Zoom room, curated Dharma library, and dedicated Spirit Rock contact.
• Sure Heart Saṅgha Membership Benefactor community with annual gift of $1,000+, offering special gatherings, Dharma teachings, and invitations to Spirit Rock events.
• Spirit Rock Bookstore On-site and online bookstore offering Dharma books, meditation supplies, and Spirit Rock merchandise, with a 10% discount for Legacy Saṅgha members.
• Gift Certificates Digital gift certificates available for purchase to give retreat and program access to loved ones.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,200 retreat scholarships and 7,500 non-residential scholarships awarded in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Braided WisdomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborative partner in the EcoDharma & Transformational Culture Program. Brings diverse experience and wisdom to programming focused on climate awareness, resilience, and compassionate action. Co-hosts EcoDharma Exploration events with Spirit Rock.
• One Earth SanghacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Key partner in EcoDharma programming, providing environmental Buddhist teachings and co-hosting events. Dedicated to supporting faith leaders and activists working on environmental issues.
• Aloka Earth RoomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner organization contributing to the EcoDharma & Transformational Culture Program with expertise in environmental spirituality and contemplative practice.
• Awake in the WildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in EcoDharma programming, bringing nature-based contemplative practices and wilderness meditation expertise to the collaboration.
• Insight Meditation Society (IMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpirit Rock maintains close relationship with IMS in Barre, MA. Both organizations were co-founded by Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, and Joseph Goldstein in 1976/1987. Joint teacher training programs and shared lineage connections.
• Insight Meditation Center (IMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisiting teachers from IMC participate in Spirit Rock retreats, and vice versa. Part of the broader Insight Meditation network with shared lineage connections.
• FreeWillminorOthersPartnership to provide free estate planning tools (wills and trusts) to Spirit Rock community members, facilitating Legacy Saṅgha planned giving.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Insight Meditation Society: Co-founded by Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, and Joseph Goldstein in 1976, IMS in Barre, MA is the sister organization to Spirit Rock, sharing the same Insight Meditation lineage, teacher network, and residential retreat model. Most directly comparable peer given overlapping founders, joint teacher training, and shared lineage.
• Insight Retreat Center: Also located in the Santa Cruz mountains and rooted in the same Insight Meditation / vipassanā lineage as Spirit Rock, offering extended silent residential retreats. Closest regional direct competitor for multi-day silent meditation retreats in the Western U.S.
• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: A leading yoga, wellness, and personal transformation retreat center in Stockbridge, MA offering residential retreats, teacher trainings, and wellness programming at scale. Comparable to Spirit Rock in operating model (residential retreat campus, multi-track programming, member/donor community) but oriented toward yoga/holistic wellness rather than Buddhist Insight Meditation.
• Esalen Institute: Iconic residential retreat center in Big Sur, California offering workshops and retreats across mind-body-spirit, holistic education, and contemplative practice. Comparable as a Northern/Central California retreat destination with similar infrastructure (large campus, residential stays, workshop model) but with a broader humanistic/transpersonal orientation.
• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: Nonprofit holistic education center in Rhinebeck, NY offering residential workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings across wellness, mindfulness, and personal growth. Comparable in scale (hundreds of workshops annually), nonprofit status, and multi-track programming model, though with a broader 'holistic studies' framing than Spirit Rock's Buddhist specificity.
• Shambhala Mountain Center: Buddhist contemplative retreat center in Colorado's Rocky Mountains offering residential meditation retreats, dharma training, and contemplative programming rooted in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Comparable as a residential Buddhist retreat center with multi-day silent retreats and teacher training pathways, though with a Tibetan/Vajrayana lineage rather than Theravada/Insight.
• Barre Center for Buddhist Studies: Buddhist study and retreat center adjacent to IMS in Barre, MA offering residential study programs, retreats, and Buddhist education. Comparable as a residential Buddhist education/retreat organization sharing the same Insight Meditation lineage ecosystem and overlapping teacher network.
• 1440 Multiversity: Residential learning retreat campus in Scotts Valley, California offering workshops and retreats across mindfulness, wellness, leadership, and personal growth. Comparable as a California-based residential retreat destination with similar programming mix, CE-credit offerings for professionals, and organizational scale.

Broad incumbents

• Spirit Rock Online / Insight Timer: Insight Timer is the world's largest free meditation app with tens of thousands of teachers and guided meditations, including Insight Meditation teachers from the Spirit Rock lineage. Comparable as the dominant digital distribution channel for vipassanā/mindfulness instruction at global scale; a complement and partial substitute for Spirit Rock's online programs.

Regional players

• Hollyhock: Nonprofit retreat center on Cortes Island, British Columbia offering residential programs across wellness, leadership, and contemplative practice. Comparable in operating model (residential retreat center, nonprofit, multi-track programming) but operates primarily in Canada rather than the U.S.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/spirit_rock
• Facebookfacebook.com/spiritrock
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spirit-rock-meditation-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spirit Rock Meditation Center