Easter Retreat 2026

Easter Meditation Retreat, April 3–12, 2026, San Juan Bautista, CA

Led by Cassandra Gearhart Ph.D, and Adam Eurich

The retreat leaders embody a spirit of kindness, wisdom, and enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and experience with others. 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 is served for this type of retreats. Supplemental foods are permitted for certain dietary conditions. Evening Dhamma talks by the teachers offer detailed instructions and discussion about deep meditative experiences. The teachers provide private daily interviews to help participants advance smoothly in the stages of meditation leading to 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 as an effective response to distractions when they arise in meditation.

Co-teachers this year are Cassandra Gearhart, Ph.D, and Adam Eurich. They live and teach weekly meditation classes in Austin. Both studied, practiced, and mentored for many years with the late Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi. They share a depth of understanding of meditation for beginners and advanced practitioners who are seeking development in at the deep end meditation. They offer valuable perspectives to cultivate the awakening factors leading to a liberated mind as taught by the Buddha. For more information, see their bio’s on this site: Cassandra Gearhart, Ph.D. | Adam Eurich.

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. 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.

Guidelines:

Practice times, rest periods, and mealtimes are based on the retreat’s individual goals. Participants must attend the morning group meditation and evening presentation; please be prompt for group meetings and interviews. Arrive early, especially in the waiting area outside the interview room. The teachers will suggest self-directed sitting and walking meditation periods based on individual needs and interests. There is abundant Indoor and outdoor space for sitting and walking practice.

Mobile devices are not permitted at any time during the retreat. They must be secured with the retreat managers and stored, and they will be returned to their owners on the last evening following the closing remarks.

Video of beginning Loving-Kindness guided meditation video with David Johnson

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: Friday, April 3

Saturday, April 4—Saturday April 11

5:30 am Wake up (BELL)
6:00 am Group Precepts followed by Meditation, Upper Conference Room
7:00 am Breakfast (BELL)
8:00 am Group Meditation (BELL), Upper Conference Room
8:30 am - 11:30 noon Self-Directed Meditation and Interviews
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch/Rest (BELL)
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Self Directed Meditation and Interviews (BELL)
4:30 pm Teachers Conference
5:30 pm Tea Break (BELL)
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Dhamma talk (BELL) Upper Conference Room
8:00 Self-Directed Meditation and Rest

LAST DAY: April 12

Registration and Reservations

This is a non-profit retreat. The teachings are free and without charge. 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 1 person
Shared Occupancy Room $2770 2 persons

Choose to prearrange sharing with another participant, spouse, friend, or partner.

Payment and Refund Policy

Click the Blue button above to register and pay deposit or pay full registration fees.
Balance of payment for Single Occupancy HERE or balance of payment for Double Occupancy HERE.
If the retreat is cancelled for reasons beyond our control, payments made will be refunded minus the standard bank processing fee of 2.9% and will be credited to the original source of payment within ten banking days.
Cancellations after March 17, 2025 are not refundable but fees may be applied toward payment for future retreats or symposiums hosted by the TWIM Foundation in the U.S. for up to 18 months following the cancellation date. Alternatively, fees may be donated to the retreat leaders or the TWIM Foundation as a tax exemption 501c3 charitable organization.
For more information contact admin@TWIM.Foundation.

We have changed our retreat cancellation policy and fees to mitigate the effects of late cancellations as of 8/1/24.

$50 fee for cancellations at least eight weeks prior to opening day
$200 fee for cancellations eight to four weeks before opening day
Full payment of registration due four weeks before opening day
Cancellations received four weeks or less before opening day will not be refunded*

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.

Optional 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.

Those requiring ground transportation must coordinate flight arrival and departure times with the retreat managers before booking airline or hotel reservations. Contact the retreat manager for registration and payment instructions.

Arrivals by air should make flight and hotel reservations with adequate time to connect with either private or optional ground transportation contracted by retreat staff. Roundtrip reservations are $210 per person including luggage and tip.

Shuttle Service, Friday, April 3, to St. Francis Retreat
Depart #1: 1:00 PM, SFO, outside Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of Domestic Terminal #2 on the center pick up zone for airport shuttles.
Depart: 1:50 PM. SJC, outside the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of Domestic Terminal B
(Optional pick up at 1:10 PM, Millwood Hotel and Suites)
Arrive St Francis Retreat: 3:30 check-in and room assignment

Shuttle Service, Sunday, April 12, to Airports
Depart SFC 9:45 AM, Arrive SJC, 10:30 all terminals. Arrive SFO, 11:30 all terminals.
(Optional Drop-off The Millwood Hotel and Suites)

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

Days Inn San Francisco International Airport West

La Quinta Inn & Suites, San Francisco Airport West

Driving Directions

Google or Apple maps will the the prefered way to navigate to the center.

From SFO drive south on Highway 101 for 83 miles.

Exit Hwy 101 onto Hwy 156 East at the San Juan Bautista/Hollister exit
After about 3 miles on 156, turn right at the signal onto The Alameda
Pass the San Juan Inn and Old San Juan Hollister Road
Turn left onto Mission Vineyard Road, continue straight about 0.8 miles.
Enter a private drive posted with a sign for St. Francis Retreat. Drive slowly for 1.5 miles from this point.
Park on either side oft he lower building.

From I-5

Exit onto CA-152 W/E Pacheco Blvd. and continue to follow CA-152 W for 35.3 mi
Keep left to continue on Hwy 156 W/CA-156 W, follow signs for Hollister,14.1 mi
Follow Mission Vineyard Rd to your destination 2.2 mi
Turn left onto Old San Juan Hollister Rd 253 ft
Turn left onto Mission Vineyard Rd 0.5 mi
Turn left to stay on Mission Vineyard Rd 0.3 mi
Turn right to stay on Mission Vineyard Rd 1.2 mile

Arrival and check-in

Check-in at St. Francis at the upper lobby between 11:00 and 12:00 noon. 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, the buffet lucnch is 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM followed by orientation. Check the posted schedule for details.

The retreat ends after the morning meditation on the last day of the retreat, with time for breakfast, socializing, taking photos, and packing.

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 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 unlikely, but 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 your 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

Taking any Residence—whatever quarters are offered. We ask participants to happily accept the assigned accommodation and continue practicing this spirit throughout the retreat.
Taking Food that is Offered—Happily accepting food that is offered is part of the practice. The cook lovingly prepares tasty and nutritious meals. Gluten-free alternatives will be available for those with medically required dietary restrictions. Participants with other special dietary needs may arrange with the retreat manager to bring supplemental food items with them to the retreat. Food is prohibited in rooms and the meditation hall. The kitchen is restricted to St. Francis staff.
Silence – In fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and meditation, participants are expected to embrace the practice of silence during the retreat. Living in silence is the practice of observing within and not communicating with others. This includes reading or writing, telephones, computers, email, or text messages. Talking is permitted during the evening dhamma talks and teacher interviews when questions are encouraged. Inquiries about the retreat may be directed to a retreat manager or whenever necessary in the case of an emergency.
Serving the Community—Participants may volunteer for community duties as a daily form of meditation. This activity acquaints participants and helps the retreat function smoothly. A sign-up sheet for daily retreat jobs will be available at registration.

Simplicity and Renunciation print version download

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.