Visiting Teachers

Skilled and Compassionate Guidance Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center guided meditation retreats are led by the most skilled and capable teachers...

JD Doyle

JD Doyle (they/them) is part of the East Bay Meditation Center, serving as Core Teacher for five years, co-founder of the Alphabet Sangha, board member as well as in other capacities. They graduated from Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Teacher Training, the Community Dharma Leader training, and the Dedicated Practitioner Program. JD began studying and practicing Buddhism in 1995 in New Mexico, and continued at Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock as well as in Thailand and Burma. They are committed to celebrating the diversity of our human sangha, addressing the impact of racism on our communities, expanding concepts of gender, and living in ways that honor the sacredness of the Earth.

Events with JD Doyle

Recognizing Ourselves as Part of Nature: Buddhist Liberation Practices for the Deepest Healing
September 8 - 14, 2024

In this six-night retreat, we will explore mindfulness of the body through the four elements of earth, air, water and fire, reminding us that we are not separate from but always in relationship to the natural world. Our sensitive bodies and sensitive hearts always belong to nature. This retreat will be grounded in contemplative practices of mindfulness and compassion in partnership with the land. We will deepen our learning through the activities of meditation while sitting, walking, eating and in daily life activities. This silent retreat is supported by guided meditation, dharma reflections, time for questions and small group meetings.…

Cultivating Embodied Insight and Intuitive Wisdom
September 15 - 22, 2024

During this week-long silent mindfulness meditation retreat, we will learn to pay attention with an embodied knowing that leads to intuitive wisdom. We will practice loving embodiment as we cultivate attending to each moment with mindfulness. Being immersed in the natural world, we’ll attune to nature within ourselves and around us. This practice allows insights to arise, bringing greater freedom for ourselves and communities. We will offer meditation instructions (including sitting, standing, and walking), guided heart practices, as well as Dharma talks, practice discussions, question and answer periods, and ample time to practice independently. We will be practicing both indoors and outdoors in nature.…