GBF Spring Retreat 2026: April 15-19, 2026

All Is Full of Love:

Mettā, Healing, and Inner Joy

Welcoming queer folk of all genders…

Mettā (lovingkindness) practice transforms our relationship with ourselves and the world around us. Through the cultivation of lovingkindness, the heart learns to soften where it has been most defended, to meet all experience with tenderness, and that the wish for our own and others’ happiness becomes a doorway to both healing and deep joy. This retreat offers dedicated time to explore mettā as both a gentle refuge and a radical practice of opening to what is always already true.

In this five day (four night) predominantly silent mettā retreat we will sit and walk in meditation together, chant, eat, and be in connection with nature and each other. The emphasis will be on deepening our practice of mettā, both as the basis of concentration and as a healing for the heart and spirit.  We will practice wise action in relationship—with ourselves, each other, our community, and the wider world.

This year, we invite GBF members, friends, and queer Sangha of all genders to join us. Held at the beautiful forest temple of Vajrapani Institute, we will work with classical mettā meditation practices in stillness, walking, gentle Yoga, eating, and throughout the activities of the day. With significant time for questions and Dharma discussion, the retreat aims to support both beginners and experienced students to deepen their practice within a supportive spiritual community.

Retreat Information

The retreat will be taught by one of GBF’s favorite visiting teachers from the Insight Meditation tradition, Dr. Sean Feit Oakes, who has taught our previous two spring retreats. The retreat will take place at the beautiful redwood forest temple of Vajrapani Institute (vajrapani.org). The retreat will be in a relaxed Insight Meditation format, with silent morning and evening practice, time for sangha connection and a choice of activities in the midday. With extensive silent practice, connection, and Dharma discussion, the retreat aims to support both beginners and experienced students to deepen their practice in spiritual community.

The retreat is open to GBF members, friends, and queer folk of all genders.

Schedule: We gather on Wednesday, April 15th at 5 pm and depart on Sunday, April 19th at 2 pm.

Registration: No refunds after April 9th.

Location: Vajrapani Institute (in Santa Cruz Mountains, near Boulder Creek, CA)

Teacher: Sean Feit Oakes, PhD

Accommodations

Various sleeping arrangements are available and listed on the registration form.

Meals

Vegetarian meals are provided as part of the event. Be prepared to bring supplemental food if you are concerned or have special dietary requirements.

Retreat Scholarship Fund

We offer scholarships to those who need financial assistance to attend. Please contact us prior to registering with the amount you can pay and a letter requesting a scholarship to cover the balance. Contact gaybuddhistfellowship@gmail.com to request a scholarship.

*GBF’s Fall Retreat (September 25-27, 2026) will be at Land of The Medicine Buddha

Registration questions can be directed to Richard Azzolini at chefazzolini@gmail.com