"We are here to reset our mind, our attitude, and give the body some loving attention and rest. To be with ourselves, held in an attentive, loving way. When we are alert, relaxed, and receptive, our unattended wounds and emotions which have been dormant start to surface.
Mindfulness is a practice and a state of mind that is dedicated to staying present in the moment, turning in, and observing what is happening. That’s what we’re doing.
When we establish the anchor, the place of refuge with the alert mind, we cultivate stillness of the mind and body. And we allow the silence to touch us in such a way that we may awaken to parts of ourselves that we have not yet met."
Carol Cano
Residential Retreat Teacher
Carol Cano, M.A., began her practice over 30 years ago at Wat Kow Tahm in Thailand and has actively engaged in building communities and teaching Dharma internationally. She is a graduate of the 2017-2020 Spirit Rock Meditation Center's Teacher Training program and a teacher at Spirit Rock often. She is a core teacher and a former board member of East Bay Meditation Center. Carol co-founded Philippine Insight Meditation Community in the Philippines. Her unique teachings are deeply grounded in Basque, Native American and Buddhist influences that braid the Dharma along indigenous wisdom and Earth-based practices. Her psychology background gives her a unique view into the human condition, which helps her hold community in a compassionate and confident manner. Carol reminds us to keep grounded in our hearts as we uphold spiritual ideals and encourages us to remain balanced within the demands of modern life.
Carol Cano's Upcoming Programs
Retreat | On-Land
Saturday, April 12 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Taking the Sacred Journey through Grief to Heal the Heart: Practices for Transformation and Resilience
5 CE Credits. Grief is a change agent of transformation and resilience. It extends beyond the terrain of physical death and seeps into disappointments, the loss of dreams, ancestral anguish, and unnamed disappearances. On this journey, we will extract the hidden jewels of sorrow and arouse the heart to recover joy. There will be silent meditation, talks that weave Indigenous and Dharmic wisdom, and embodied movement. Affinity groups honoring the diversity of sangha will also be available.
Retreat | On-Land
April 16 - April 20, 2025 | Wednesday - Sunday | 4 nights
Retreat as Ceremony: Mindfulness and Indigenous Presence for Wellness and Healing
7.5 CE Credits.
Registration Open. Indigenous Presence blends aspects of Indigenous ceremony with the methods and outcomes of another ancient expression of wholesome presence: mindfulness and lovingkindness. This retreat is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from around the world. Together, we will explore the intersection of Buddhist practices from the Insight tradition such as mindfulness and mettā (lovingkindness) meditation, and Indigenous knowledge systems such as Intuitive Awareness. Both traditions are anchored in a meaningful relationship with nature, ancestors, and the sweet territory of silence.
Retreat | On-Land
June 21 - June 26, 2025 | Saturday - Thursday | 5 nights
Mindfulness for Everyone
12 CE Credits.
Registration Open. Mindfulness offers us tools to develop our capacity to pay attention, regulate emotions, and cultivate states of lovingkindness, compassion, and even-mindedness. In this retreat we will practice mindfulness through sitting and walking meditation, as well as through lectures and the opportunity to meet with teachers who will guide our practice. While rooted in the Buddhist practice of mindfulness, this retreat will also focus on the practical applications of mindfulness and the range of ways to practice it.
Retreat | On-Land
August 17 - August 21, 2025 | Sunday - Thursday | 4 nights
Five Spiritual Powers: Cultivating Resilience, Balance, and Love
Registration Opens - February 19. The Buddha’s teaching on the five spiritual powers (confidence, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom) offers a path to cultivate these capacities of the heart and transform habits that no longer serve us. Grounded in these teachings, together we will learn powerful and sustainable ways to restore our humanity and bring freedom to all beings. This retreat offers silent meditation, opportunities for movement meditation, Dharma talks, and time to be in nature and honor the natural rhythms of your own practice.
Retreat | On-Land
November 8 - November 14, 2025 | Saturday - Friday | 6 nights
Grief as a Change Agent of Transformation and Resiliency
Registration Opens - February 19. Grief is not sequestered to the life loss of loved ones. It traverses beyond physical death and seeps into disappointments in relationships, the loss of dreams, ancestral anguish, and unnamed disappearances. Understanding the personal nature of grief and the tenderness of being with a broken heart, we will create a container that honors all individuals moving through their sorrow. We will practice silent meditation indoors and in nature and there will be Dharma talks, meetings with teachers, and embodiment practices.
Upcoming Drop-Ins
Drop-in | Online
Wednesday, February 19 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Rainbow Saṅgha
Open to all self-identified LGBTQIA+.
Our Rainbow Saṅgha is a weekly gathering of self-identified practitioners within marginalized gender and sexuality groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and gender non-conforming.
Carol Cano
Drop-in | Online
Monday, March 31 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Monday Night Meditation & Talk
For over 35 years, the Monday Night sitting group at Spirit Rock has been a welcoming refuge to gather, hear the teachings of the Buddha, and practice Insight Meditation together as a community. The program includes a 30-40 min guided meditation, a short break, and a Dharma talk.
Carol Cano
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Carol Cano through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.