Insight San Diego Welcomes
Sally Armstrong
Residential Retreat
Mindfulness and Equanimity
April 6-10, 2025
What draws many of us to the practice of meditation is the possibility of cultivating a more balanced, open, and compassionate heart. What can support that capacity is developing equanimity, a mental state of resilience, equipoise and responsiveness. Equanimity is an important aspect of mindfulness, the core meditation practice in the Buddhist tradition. In this retreat, we will explore and practice with the Satipatthana sutta, the discourse of the Buddha that gives detailed instructions on mindfulness, known as vipassana or Insight meditation. In this text we are invited to directly experience the nature of our body and mind, with emphasis on understanding impermanence - anicca - and not self - anatta. These important insights can lead to letting go, equanimity and freedom here and now.
Equanimity is an important part of many other meditation practices and lists, such as the Seven Factors of Awakening and the Ten Paramis. The instructions and talks at the retreat will cover different aspects and expressions of equanimity, through mindfulness meditation and the cultivation of the Brahma Vihara of equanimity.
We will also offer gentle Yoga with Mindful Movement teacher Rasika Link. Rasika will be joining us twice per day to offer optional group instruction and will be available throughout the retreat to schedule one-on-one sessions to address any specific movement needs or questions you may have. Her movement and yoga instruction is very very gentle and is designed to support your sitting and walking mediation practice during the retreat.
Sally began practicing vipassana meditation in India in 1981 and started teaching in 1996. She is a Stewarding Teacher at Spirit Rock and has served as a co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock. She developed and led Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program and Advanced Practitioner Program. She has a keen interest in supporting students who want to deepen their practice and understanding. She regularly teaches retreats on themes such as metta or concentration, as well as the multiweek retreats at Spirit Rock and the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts.
Rasika has been practicing and teaching hatha yoga since 1984. She has been influenced by many teachers in several different traditions. In 1999 she began vipassana practices at Spirit Rock, and her yoga classes gradually shifted to a more concentrated, mindful style of teaching. She invites curiosity to awaken in the asanas (postures) as she gently reminds you to soften around your rough edges. Her classes are like a breath of fresh air on a crisp morning in the mountains. She is living in Portland, Oregon, and having fun with her two young grandchildren.
RETREAT INFORMATION
Dates & Times:
April 6, 4 pm - April 10, 1 pm, 2025. Last day to complete registration is March 31, 2025.
Additional information will be provided with your registration confirmation or during check-in.
Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center
4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA
Location:
Registration Info:
The cost to attend the retreat is:
- Single rooms are offered on a sliding scale at $675, $725, and $750
- Commuter attendance are offered on a sliding scale at $275 and $325
We are offering a sliding scale in hopes that the retreat is accessible to all.
Your registration fee goes toward non-teacher expenses. Both Sally and Rasika offer teachings on a dana basis. Dana for Sally can be given here or by cash/check at the retreat. Dana for Rasika can be given via Venmo with Rasika-Link, PayPal with rasikalink888@gmail.com, or by cash/check at the retreat.
Please review our COVID Policy that applies to this event.
At this time we are not accepting new scholarship applications. Please send an email to scholarships@insightsd.org to be notified if additional scholarships for Sally's retreat become available.
Additional Info:
This is a silent insight meditation retreat and will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, meditation instruction, Dharma talks, and practice discussion with the teacher. This retreat is appropriate for all levels of meditation experience.
Yoga mats are not required for the gentle movement times.
For additional questions, contact us via email at events@insightsd.org.