Finding True Refuge: A Retreat for the LGBTQIA+ and GNC Community

Imagine stepping into a space where your full self—your identity, your journey, your questions about belonging—are held with reverence and understanding. This five-night silent retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA offers exactly that: a sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ and Gender Non-Conforming practitioners to explore the Buddhist path of liberation within a dedicated community that truly sees you.

Led by experienced teachers Anushka Fernandopulle, John Martin, and Victoria Cary, this retreat weaves together classical Buddhist teachings on refuge with the lived wisdom of LGBTQIA+ and GNC seekers. Refuge—the Buddhist concept of finding safety, direction, and truth—takes on profound meaning when explored collectively. Rather than treating spirituality as an escape from complexity, this program invites you to investigate what it means to find genuine shelter while honoring the fullness of your humanity.

Whether you're new to meditation or have sat for decades, you'll discover how continuity of awareness—cultivated through sitting practice, walking meditation, gentle movement, and even meals—becomes a pathway to deeper self-understanding and connection with others on the same path. The retreat takes place in Spirit Rock's Upper Meditation Hall, a ritually-consecrated space renowned for its palpable depth of stillness.

What to Expect

The retreat unfolds in silence, creating an environment where the mind naturally settles and the heart opens. Your days will flow between sitting meditation, mindful walking, gentle movement practices, and nourishing meals taken in contemplative silence. Interspersed throughout are teacher-led inquiries and small group meetings—rare moments of connection where you can explore what arises in your practice within an affirming community.

The teaching emphasizes heartfulness alongside mindfulness: not bypassing the emotional terrain of being LGBTQIA+ or GNC in this world, but rather meeting it with relaxed, gentle presence. This is a retreat for the whole person—your practice, your identity, your questions, your grief, your joy—all welcome.

You'll leave with practical tools for ongoing meditation practice, a felt sense of what refuge truly means, and the nourishment of having been held in authentic spiritual community.

Venue & Logistics

Spirit Rock Meditation Center sits on tranquil grounds in Woodacre, California, about an hour north of San Francisco. The retreat runs from Sunday, November 1st through Friday, November 6th, 2026. Participants stay on-site in simple, comfortable accommodations. Wear loose, warm, comfortable clothing suitable for sitting and gentle movement. Spirit Rock welcomes practitioners of all mobility levels; contact the center directly about accessibility needs.