Rooted in Love: Heart Qualities and the Living Elements—Annual BIPOC Retreat

Rooted in Love is an annual silent meditation retreat for people who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC), held on-land at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. Rooted in the Theravada, Vipassana and Insight Meditation traditions, it draws on the four brahmavihāras (mettā, karuṇā, muditā and upekkhā) and lets the elements of earth, water, fire, air and space serve as teachers. The teaching team includes Noliwe Alexander, bruni dávila, Pawan Bareja, Solwazi Johnson and movement teacher Kimi Mojica, with teachers in training Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith and Ronya Fakhoury Banks.

Practitioners of all levels are welcome, exactly as they are.

What to Expect

The retreat runs six nights. Check-in takes place on the first afternoon between 2:30 and 4:30, followed by settling into your room, an opening ceremony and orientation. The days that follow move through early morning sitting, walking meditation, Dharma talks on the heart qualities and the elemental teachings, teacher-led inquiry, small group meetings and movement sessions, with a noon meal and an evening meal. The retreat closes on the last morning with practice, a closing ceremony and an opportunity to offer dāna, and participants depart by 11:00 AM.

The elements shape the teaching. Earth points to belonging, water to grief and tenderness, fire to joy and resilience, air to breath and interdependence, and space to the open awareness that holds all of it. Practice is silent, seated and walking, and is supported by the presence of saṅgha. Silence is kept except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups and other practice meetings.

The Teachers

Noliwe Alexander has studied Vipassana for over 20 years and teaches retreats, sitting groups, day-longs and class series. She dedicates her teaching to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, at-risk and elder communities.

bruni dávila has practiced Insight Meditation and Zen since 1995 and teaches mettā and vipassanā retreats in English and Spanish. She was trained and empowered to teach through the Insight Meditation Society and IMC, and is drawn to long retreat practice and Dharma in daily life.

Pawan Bareja, PhD has practiced vipassanā since 2001 and is a Spirit Rock trained teacher. She brings mindfulness, Buddhist psychology and neuroscience to working with stress and trauma, and is the author of Reignite Your Power: Resolving Trauma Using Mindfulness.

Solwazi Johnson has practiced mindfulness meditation for over 25 years, focusing on Vipassana since 2003. He leads retreats and classes across the U.S. and internationally, and is a graduate of Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leaders' Training and its four-year Retreat Teacher Training.

Kimi Mojica, the movement teacher, was born on the unceded Ohlone lands of Yelamu (San Francisco) and is based in Huchiun (Oakland). They seek refuge on the water, learn from plant allies, and help build ecosystems of community care within their Kajukenbo martial arts community.

Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith, MBA, a teacher in training, has years of silent retreat practice and has spent many years under contemporary Upasika vows as a lay renunciate. She is in the current IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training cohort.

Ronya Fakhoury Banks, LCSW, a teacher in training, is the founding teacher of the Asheville Insight Meditation group. She has practiced since 1985, has sat two years of retreats, and has experience as a Theravada Buddhist nun. Born in Kuwait of Palestinian-American descent and raised in the Islamic faith, she values justice and equality.

The Setting

Practice takes place in Spirit Rock's consecrated Upper Meditation Hall in Woodacre. Rooms are single or double occupancy, and most of the center's rooms are single. Guaranteed single rooms are offered at the higher sliding-scale rates, and shared rooms are available at every rate. Commuters may attend only under certain conditions, must arrange their own lodging, and have a shared daytime resting space on campus.

Three meals a day are provided, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Other dietary needs can be raised with registration.

Before You Go

The retreat is open to practitioners of all experience levels. Beginners are encouraged to start with a daylong program and to contact registration about readiness. Commuters need to have completed at least one five-to-seven night in-person Vipassana retreat. The retreat is offered in English and Spanish.

Meals, lodging, instruction and movement sessions are included. Teacher dāna is not included; an invitation to give is offered at the end of the retreat. Meditation cushions and props are available on site, and alcohol is not included.

Spirit Rock offers sliding-scale rates and needs-based financial aid, including scholarships for BIPOC participants and young adults.