Winter Holiday Meditation Retreat, December 23, 2023–January 1, 2024
with Rachael O'Brien
 Rachael O'Brien and Bhante Vimalaramsi
Rachael O'Brien will lead this 10-day, 9-night Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) residential retreat, which includes the Christmas and New Years holidays. Rachael has eight years of experience teaching the TWIM approach. She is known for her precise description of the meditative states and her ability to guide students through the development of insight and tranquility as described in the earliest Buddhist Teachings. Rachael's approach to teaching is ideal for beginning students and advanced meditators alike as they seek to cultivate greater depth in their practice. Those with no previous meditation experience as well as long-time practitioners will find great benefit in this silent meditation retreat. (see Rachael's bio)
 Beginning TWIM with Loving-kindness Instructions given by Bhante Vimalaramsi
Rachael embodies a spirit of kindness and enthusiasm for teaching. The primary focus in the course is the Gradual Training, which describes the development of meditative stability (samatha) and insight (vipassanā) equally jointed together. Students will learn to cultivate the awakening factors with loving-kindness. The course includes a daily dhamma talk guided by Rachael's analysis and discussion. All participants are required to maintain Noble Silence throughout the retreat. Students will be required store and secure all electronic devices with the retreat manager upon check-in. The devices will be returned at the end of the retreat. Daily one-on-one private interviews help optimize progress into the stages of meditation known as jhanas. There is an emphasis on ease and joy throughout the course.
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. The contemporary Spanish-style building complex is nestled among shade trees and vineyards on 70 acres of rolling hills and meadows. The spacious grounds and hiking paths are available for light exercise. Seated practice areas include a central meditation hall, a chapel, and contemplative areas ideal for seclusion. There is abundant indoor and outdoor space for seated and walking for practice.
Comfortable bedrooms include a private bathroom and shower with beds, pillow, linens, blankets, towels, wash cloth, and soap. A desk with reading lights provide comfortable and warm accommodation on chilly California nights. Double occupancy is available by request.
The dining room offers spacious indoor and outdoor patio garden seating. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style. In keeping with the Buddha's instructions, students will take a vow not eat after lunch in order to improve mental energy for mediation. Meal service offers 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. Vegan entrees are not served; however, refrigerated food storage is available to those with special dietary needs.
Registration
Payment
Single Occupancy = $1425, Deposit Required = $500, Double Occupancy = $1260 (if available) This is a non-profit retreat. The teachings are free of charge. The fees paid only cover fixed costs for food, lodging, insurance, and travel expenses for teachers. The retreat is administered and staffed entirely by volunteers. Rachael offers the Teachings freely. Students will, however, have the opportunity to offer Dana to her if they so choose as part of their practice of generosity. Payment / Refund Policy
Those arriving SFO by air may reserve ground transportation. Retreatants 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 their 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 departures and 2 hours for international departures.
Group ground transportation
Those requiring ground transportation must coordinate flight arrival and departure times with the retreat managers before booking airline or hotel reservations. Arrivals by air should make flight and hotel reservations with adequate time to connect with either private transportation or ground transportation. Hotels near SFO
Early arrivals or stay-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 from SFO in a commercial district with nearby restaurants. Millwood Inn & Suites 1375 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California 94030 Contact: 650-583-3935 Email: info@millwoodinn.com Days Inn San Francisco International Airport West 1550 El Camino Real, San Bruno, California 94066 Contact: 650-616-9600 Email: info@daysinnsanbruno.com 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. At the indicated bend begin private drive (Retreat /Hedges). The Center is about 1.5 miles from this point. Take the second driveway and continue to the lower parking lot. 
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 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 on the day of arrival. Parking is available on both sides of the lower building. The Fireside Room in the lower building is where group meditation and Dhamma talks will take place. On the first day, orientation begins at 5:00 PM followed by dinner at 6:00PM, and Opening introductions 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 to SFO and neighboring hotels will depart at 10:oo AM. Emergency Contact Numbers
There is no public phone on 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 December is typically sunny with cold nights. The average daytime temperature is 60ºF. Nighttime average low temperature is 40ºF. Rain is 50% likely so be prepared and bring and umbrella or other wet weather gear for walking outdoors. Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, such as sweat pants with elastic waistband. Dress in 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, umbrella for rain, and sunglasses are handy for sunny days. What to Bring for Meditation: Chairs for sitting will be provided in the meditation hall. You may wish to bring your own special chair along with 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 both indoor and outdoor seated meditations in the gardens and patio areas. Other Necessities to Bring: Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided by the center. You may want to bring a special personal pillow or blanket, if desired. Bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc), flashlight or headlamp, an alarm clock or watch with an alarm, and a water bottle to be filled at the center with filtered water as needed. There will be wake up and notification bell to announce meals and group gatherings. COVID-19 supplies may be required as specified by the retreat manager. What to Leave at Home: Do not bring valuables, nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Do not bring food, unless you have made prior arrangements with the retreat managers for accommodation of 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 not allowed in any building or room. Clocks and Phones: Please attend to all personal matters before coming so as not to hamper progress in meditation. To support the practice of meditative silence, participants’ cell phones and tablets, and computers will be collected at the beginning of the retreat and held in a secure area the evening before the last day of the retreat. Emergency Phone Numbers: There is no public phone on 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
Occasionally, monks or nuns in robes attend TWIM retreats. The following is a suggested standard of conduct appropriate while in their presence: Physical contact: Refrain from shaking hands or hugs. Greeting: The traditional greeting is to have both hands held together in an attitude of prayer. The following conduct is suggested if a monk or nun is teaching: 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 seated 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 in advance 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 potential non reverent questions. As an example, this includes asking for value statements about other practices or religions, about individual attainments or about potentially controversial social or political topics. Generosity: donations (dana) is gratefully accepted. Your generosity directly supports the Teacher's ability to teach. Though physical gifts are appreciated, they are impractical due to packing restrictions for travel. Simplicity and Renunciation
Meditation retreats offer a sacred space that is protected and removed from the world. They allow participants a rare opportunity to look deeply inside, quiet the mind, and open the heart. Often the most beneficial and rewarding experiences of spiritual life happen at a meditation retreat. The sheltered and quiet setting is a key element that enables participants to develop patience, steadfastness, loving-kindness, 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 that is called “taking what is offered.” Taking What is Offered
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 home-test prior to arrival. As an additional safety measure, take another home test on Friday morning, the opening day of the retreat and an additional test on the Saturday morning.
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