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We work to protect the safety of all students. We reserve the right to remove any student from any class, sitting group, retreat, or any event if the student is disruptive to the safe learning environment we maintain for all.

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We reserve the right to cancel a class or event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable. If InsightLA cancels an event you’ve registered for, you will be offered a full refund. If an event has to be postponed for any reason, you will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer your registration to the same event at the new, future date.

Donations are not refundable.
 

 

Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Youngish Adults Silent Daylong Retreat

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Michael Karakashian, PhD Teacher

Eileen Ybarra Teacher

Lulu Toselli Teacher

Dina Aish, EdD Teacher

  • Location Santa Monica Meditation Center
  • Experience Levels All
  • This class is a donation based class. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
  • Date/Time Saturday, November 2, 2024
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT

Refund and Event Policies

This daylong retreat for youngish adults (over 18, 20s, 30s, and 40s) offers a warm, supportive space to explore how to live with more courage, kindness, and integrity during challenging times. Through guided meditations and talks, we’ll dive into the heart qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, also known as the Brahmavihāras. We’ll also reflect on sila, the ethical foundation of Buddhist practice, and explore ways to integrate these teachings into our daily lives.

In addition to the formal retreat schedule, participants will observe noble silence—a practice of refraining from casual conversation to deepen mindfulness and introspection throughout the day. There will also be an optional opportunity to connect and build community after the retreat ends. It’s a chance to reflect together on the day’s insights and foster connections with like-minded peers, creating a supportive environment to carry the practice into life.

The day’s offerings will include:

  • Guided meditations (seated and walking)
  • Teachings on the divine abodes and sila (ethical conduct)
  • Group discussions and reflections
  • Practical tools for meeting challenges with integrity
  • Time for personal reflection and journaling
  • Optional community gathering after the retreat

This retreat is open to all levels of practitioners, including those that have never meditated before. The location has cushions, chairs, tea, and water.
Please bring a lunch and anything else you might need, including a journal and water bottle.


YA Daylong Example Schedule

10am-10:10        Intro to the day and noble silence invitation
10:10-10:40       Group check-in
10:40-11:10        Guided mindfulness practice
11:10-11:15         Review of loving-kindness/metta
11:15-11:45         Guided loving-kindness/metta
11:45-11:55         Short break
12:00pm-12:15  Dharma talk
12:15-12:45         Sitting meditation (mostly silent)
12:45-12:50        Eating meditation instructions
12:50-1:35          Silent lunch
1:35-2:05           Sense and savor walk
2:05-2:30          “Choiceless awareness” meditation
2:30-2:45          Loving-kindness walking practice
2:45-3:00          Dharma talk
3:15 – 3:30         Silent practice
3:30-3:55           Breaking the silence, dyads about their experience, group share and question/response
3:55-4:00           Closing circle

 

Michael Karakashian, PhD Teacher

Michael joined the InsightLA community in 2014 and has been practicing insight meditation and a commitment to inner self-development since 1998. His initial/primary teacher at that time was a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, among others. He has a deep commitment to inner self-development and to bringing practice from the cushion into daily life. Michael’s... Read more

Eileen Ybarra Teacher

Eileen Ybarra began studying Theravadan Buddhism meditation practice in 2004. Her first meditation teacher was Trudy Goodman. Since 2004, she has also studied with a variety of dharma teachers through the Against the Stream Meditation Society, Insight Meditation Center of Redwood City, Durango Dharma Center, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Her profession is public librarianship,... Read more

Lulu Toselli Teacher

Lulu Toselli has been sharing sound-baths since 2015, with a group she co- founded in L.A. called, Forestkind. She has since graduated from InsightLA’s Mindfulness Facilitator Training program, guiding sitting groups at InsightLA East. In 2018, she started Farout Meditation, to merge mindfulness with her love of sound and visuals. After a decade of long,... Read more

Dina Aish, EdD Teacher

Dina is an educator and mindfulness teacher with a doctorate degree in education and teaches methods and social emotional learning professionally at the college level and to elementary school faculties throughout Los Angeles, CA. She is a founding teacher with the Insight in Schools program and has a passion for supporting teachers with mindfulness and... Read more

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