Easter Meditation Retreat, April 18–27, 2025, San Juan Bautista, CA
NOTE: Delson Armstrong will not be teaching at this year's Easter Retreat. Retreat Leaders
This retreat will be led by five TWIM teachers. These leaders embody a spirit of kindness, wisdom, and enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and experience. The 10-day, 9-night course is a comprehensive TWIM Meditation course. Single and shared rooms are available, along with two buffet-style meals per day. No evening meal will be served on these types of retreats. Supplemental foods are permitted for certain dietary conditions. Evening Dhamma talks provide detailed instructions and discussion about TWIM, stages of progress, and other aspects of deep meditation. Private daily interviews are scheduled to help participants advance smoothly in the stages of meditation, which will lead to liberating insight and freedom of mind.
The retreat is structured for beginners new to TWIM and experienced meditators seeking to deepen their practice. TWIM practice cultivates a balance of insight (vipassana) and tranquility (samatha), explicitly using loving-kindness, compassion, and joy (brahmaviharas) as a meditative home base or object. Emphasis is placed on mastering the practice of "Right Effort," as described in early Buddhist texts. It is taught using the Six R methodology to respond effectively to distractions as they arise in meditation.
The other co-leaders in the retreat are Cassandra Gearhart, Kristen Jone, Adam Eurich, and Scott Jordan. They have all studied, practiced, trained, and were certified by Bhante Vimalarami to teach. Each offers rich personal experiences and valuable perspectives to help guide others in meditation. Check out their biography pages: Cassandra Gearhart, Ph.D. | Kirsten Jones | Adam Eurich | Scott Jordan
St. Francis Retreat Center
Located 83 miles south of San Francisco International Airport. St. Francis Retreat Center is situated on a sunny hillside only a few miles from the historic town of San Juan Bautista east of Monterey Bay.  St. Francis Retreat offers 72 acres of spacious gardens for nature walks.
The contemporary Spanish-style building complex is nestled among shade trees and vineyards on 70 acres of rolling hills and meadows. Spacious Meditation Halls and outdoor practice areas are ideal for deep and secluded meditation practice. There are hillside walking trails and a lake path to maintain regular exercise. Outdoor benches with spectacular views of the Hollister Valley offer immediate serenity in the mind and body.
Meditative silence is maintained throughout the course, except for daily interviews and discussions during Q&A segments.
Comfortable shared rooms for single and double occupancy include a private bathroom with a shower, comfortable beds, pillows, linens, blankets, towels, washcloths, and soap. A desk with reading lights provides cozy and warm accommodation on chilly California nights. Several meditation Halls are located in comfortable, well-heated buildings throughout the campus.
The dining room offers spacious indoor and outdoor patio seating with panoramic views of lawns and gardens. Two meals a day are served buffet style. Both offer vegetarian or meat/fish entrees with gluten-free options, including salads, fruits, and side dishes. Hot and cold beverages, including tea, hot chocolate, and coffee, are available 24/7. Refrigerated food storage is available to those with special dietary needs or eating disorders that require supplementing.
Retreat Schedule
Practice times and rest periods are based on individual needs and goals. Participants are required to attend the morning group meditation and evening presentation. For interviews, arrive early in the waiting area outside the conference room and wait to be notified. Teachers will advise self-directed sitting and walking meditation periods based on individual needs. There are abundant Indoor and outdoor spaces for practice. FIRST DAY______________ 3:00 - 4:30 Check in 5:00 - 6:00 Orientation by Staff 6:00 - 7:00 Dinner 7:00- 8:00 Welcome and Instructions—Group DAILY SCHEDULE_________ 5:30 am Wake 6:00 am Precepts and Group meditation 7:00 am Breakfast 8:00–9:oo am Group Meditation 9:00–10:00am Meditation or Optional Q&A with David 10:00–10:00am Meditation and Interviews 12:00 pm Lunch 1:30 pm Meditation and Interviews 4:30 pm Teachers conference 5:30 pm Tea Break 6:00 PM Dhamma talk— Various Teachers 7:30 pm Meditation and rest LAST DAY_______________ 6:00 - 7:00 Group Meditation and Closing 7:00 - 9:30 Breakfast & Socializing 10:00 Departure Registration and Reservations
This is a non-profit retreat. The teachings are free, but the fees cover fixed costs at St. Francis Retreat Center, including food, lodging, insurance, teacher travel, and minimal administration expenses. Retreat staff are unpaid volunteers.
Single Occupancy Room $1595 per person Shared Occupancy Room $1385 per person
Payments and Refund Policy
We have changed our retreat cancellation policy and fees to mitigate the effects of late cancellations. Beginning with all retreat registrations, these rates and guidelines will apply:
The retreat is administered and staffed entirely by volunteers for the TWIM Foundation and Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation, a Non-profit 501c3 tax exempt organization.
Travel by Air
Those arriving at SFO by air may reserve ground transportation and are responsible for emailing their arrival and departure information to the retreat manager. Late arrivals or those arriving at Oakland or San Jose airports are responsible for personal transportation to the retreat center and return at their own expense. All travelers are advised to check in for departing flights 90 minutes before domestic and 2 hours before international departures. Group Ground Transportation
For your convenience, a passenger van service will provide a round-trip shuttle to and from the retreat center, 83 miles from SFO.
Departure from San Francisco: Friday, April 18, San Francisco to St. Francis Retreat
Pick up Point #1: 1:00 PM. Pickup, San Francisco Airport International Terminal, Arrivals, Door 5 Pick up Point #2: 1:15 PM, Pick up, The Millwood Hotel and Suites, 1375 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California, 94030 3:15 PM, Arrive to St. Francis Retreat for check-in and orientation Return to San Francisco: Sunday, April 27, St. Francis Retreat to San Francisco 10:00 AM, Depart St. Francis Drop-off Point #1: 11:45 AM, San Francisco airport departure terminals Drop-off Point #2: 12:15 PM, The Millwood Hotel and Suites 1375 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California, 94030 Hotels near SFO
Early arrivals or staying overs are advised to select a hotel from the list below. These are modestly priced hotels that offer courtesy airport shuttle service, wi-fi, and complementary breakfast. Cheaper rates may be available through Hotels.com. Kayak.com, and other Web-based portals. The hotels listed below are located only a few miles proximity of SFO in a commercial district with nearby restaurants. Millwood Inn & Suites 1375 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California 94030 Contact: 650-583-3935 Email: [email protected] Days Inn San Francisco International Airport West 1550 El Camino Real, San Bruno, California 94066 Contact: 650-616-9600 Email: [email protected] La Quinta Inn & Suites, San Francisco Airport West 1390 El Camino Real Millbrae, CA 94030 Phone: 1-650-952-3200 Driving directions
St. Francis Retreat 549 Mission Vineyard Rd, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045 From SFO drive south on Highway 101 for 80 miles.
1. Exit Hwy 101 onto Hwy 156 East at the San Juan Bautista/Hollister exit 2. After about 3 miles on 156, turn right at the signal onto The Alameda 3. Pass the San Juan Inn and Old San Juan Hollister Road 4. Turn left onto Mission Vineyard Road, continue straight about 0.8 miles. 5. Enter a private drive posted with a sign for St. Francis Retreat. Drive slowly for 1.5 miles from this point. 6. Park on either side oft he lower building. 
From I-5
1. Exit onto CA-152 W/E Pacheco Blvd. and continue to follow CA-152 W for 35.3 mi 2. Keep left to continue on Hwy 156 W/CA-156 W, follow signs for Hollister,14.1 mi 3. Follow Mission Vineyard Rd to your destination 2.2 mi 4. Turn left onto Old San Juan Hollister Rd 253 ft 5. Turn left onto Mission Vineyard Rd 0.5 mi 6. Turn left to stay on Mission Vineyard Rd 0.3 mi 7. Turn right to stay on Mission Vineyard Rd 1.2 mile Arrival and check-in
Check-in at St. Francis opens at 3:15 PM. Plan to arrive at the center between 3:00 and 4:00 PM to Check in on the first day. The center is closed to participants until 3:00 PM. Parking is available next to the lower building. The chapel in the lower building is the location for group meditation and Dhamma talks. On the first day, orientation begins at 5:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:00 PM and Delson's introduction to the course at 7:00 PM. The retreat ends after the morning meditation on the last day of the retreat, with time for breakfast, socializing, taking photos, and packing. Those returning by van SFO and neighboring hotels will depart at 10:oo AM. Emergency Contact Numbers
There is no public phone in the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers. Retreat Manager, Scott Jordan cell phone: 415-250-5294 St. Francis Retreat business office phone: 831-623-4234 St. Francis Retreat emergency after-hours phone: 831-207-7042 Detailed Retreat Information
What to Wear: The weather in San Juan Bautista in April is typically sunny with cool, clear nights. The average daytime temperature is 72ºF (20ºC), and the average nighttime low temperature is 45ºF (8ºC). Rain is likely, so be prepared to bring an umbrella or other wet weather gear for outdoor walking. Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, such as sweatpants with elastic waistbands. Be prepared with layers that can be added or removed. A warm jacket is needed for cold nights and evening walking meditation. Comfortable slip-on shoes are appropriate for walking around the compound. Headgear, such as a hat with a brim, and sunglasses are handy for sunny days. What to Bring for Meditation: The meditation hall will provide chairs for sitting. You can bring your meditation chair, meditation cushions or pillows, benches, and floor pads. House slippers and warm socks are appropriate in the meditation hall. Bring a shawl or small blanket for indoor and outdoor seated meditations in the gardens and patio areas. Other Necessities to Bring: The center provides bed linens, blankets, and towels. However, you may want to bring a unique personal pillow or blanket. You should also bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc.), a flashlight or headlamp, an alarm clock or watch with an alarm, and a water bottle to fill at the center with filtered water. A wake-up and notification bell will announce meals and group gatherings. If required, you should bring COVID-19 supplies. What to Leave at Home: Do not bring valuables, nonprescription drugs, or alcohol. Only bring food if you have made prior arrangements with the retreat managers to accommodate special dietary needs. Avoid using scented cosmetics or perfumes that may be allergenic to others. Reading and writing are discouraged during this training period, except during the evening dhamma talks. Candles, incense, and smoking are prohibited in any building or room. Clocks and Phones: Please take care of personal matters before coming so we don't have to hamper our progress in meditation. To support the practice of silence, participants’ cell phones, tablets, and computers will be collected at the beginning of the retreat and held in a secure area until breakfast on the last day. Emergency Phone Numbers: There is no public phone in the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers. Retreat Manager, Scott Jordan cell phone: 415-250-5294 St. Francis Retreat business office phone: 831-623-4234 St. Francis Retreat emergency after-hours phone: 831-207-7042 Interacting with Monastics
Physical contact: Refrain from shaking hands or hugs. Greeting: The traditional greeting is to have both hands held together in an attitude of prayer. Entering a room: Please be seated before starting a conversation. Stand up when the teacher enters or leaves the room to demonstrate respect. Remain standing until he or she is sitting or has departed. Attentiveness: Please do not cross your arms or legs during the conversation. It is considered rude to point the soles of your feet at a Buddha image, monk, nun, or lay teacher. Timeliness: Be present and seated at the scheduled starting time and plan your questions to respect the end time. Conversation topics: Though you’re welcome to have enjoyable conversations about the dhamma and the practice, refrain from asking personal or potentially unreverent questions. For example, this includes asking for value statements about other practices or religions, individual attainments, or potentially controversial topics (i.e., COVID). Generosity: donations (Dana) are gratefully accepted. These teachers live by the Dhamma. Your generosity directly supports his ability to teach. Though physical gifts are appreciated, they are impractical while they travel. Simplicity and Renunciation
Meditation retreats offer a sacred space protected and removed from the world. They allow participants to look deeply inside, quiet their minds, and open their hearts. The most beneficial and rewarding spiritual life experiences often happen at a meditation retreat. The sheltered and quiet setting is crucial for developing patience, steadfastness, lovingkindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom. These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and happiness. Participants are requested to let go of concerns for daily life and embrace an attitude of simplicity and renunciation by adopting a traditional spiritual practice called “taking what is offered.” Taking What is Offered
COVID-19
There are currently no COVID-19 public health safety state or local mandates. There are no vaccination requirements at St. Francis Retreat Center. As a precaution, we ask that participants do a home test before they arrive. As an additional safety measure, take another home test on the opening day of the retreat and a further test on the following morning. | ||||||||||||||||||
