Safety 

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.

Cancellation & Refunds

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.
 

 

Special Events (Single Day)

Day Trip to Metta Forest Monastery: Meditation, Service, and Optional Overnight Stay

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Melissa McKay Teacher

  • Experience Levels All
  • This class is a donation based class. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
  • Date/Time Sunday, November 16, 2025
    8:30 AM - 8:30 PM PT

Refund and Event Policies

Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025

Time: Meet at 8:30 AM for departure; return by evening or optional overnight

Location: Meet at Insight LA Santa Monica (1430 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404) for carpool to Metta Forest Monastery (6195 Reliez Valley Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082)

Cost: All donations collected will be offered to the monastery.

Level: Open to all levels; no prior experience necessary

Join Melissa McKay for a rejuvenating day trip to the serene Metta Forest Monastery in the hills of San Diego County. This communal outing offers a perfect blend of mindful practice, personal connection, and light service—ideal for deepening your meditation journey in a supportive, monastic environment.

What to Expect:
Morning Carpool: We’ll gather at our Santa Monica center at 8:30 AM for a relaxed drive south (about 2.5 hours each way). Bring snacks, water, and good company for the ride!
Afternoon at the Monastery: Arrive around 11 AM to immerse yourself in the peaceful rhythms of monastic life. Enjoy guided meditation sessions, a chance to meet and receive teachings from renowned American Theravada monk Ajahn Geoff (Thanissaro Bhikkhu), and participate in afternoon chores from 5–7 PM.
Evening Options: Wrap up by 7 PM with the choice to carpool back to Santa Monica (arriving around 9:30 PM) or stay overnight in the monastery’s guest accommodations for deeper reflection and morning practice the next day.
This event is a wonderful opportunity to step away from the bustle of LA, connect with fellow practitioners, and experience the wisdom of Theravada Buddhism in a natural setting surrounded by oak woodlands and wildlife.

How to Join:
 If you’d like to stay overnight, please contact office@insightla.org directly to arrange accommodations.

Pack comfortable clothing, layers for cooler mountain air, walking shoes, and a reusable water bottle. No pets or strong scents, please, in respect for the monastic guidelines.

We can’t wait to share this inspiring day with you—see you on the 16th! 🙏

For more information about the monastery visit www.watmetta.org.

Melissa McKay Teacher

Melissa began her path of meditation in 1998 with a small group of dedicated practitioners in Oakland, CA with her beloved, though not known, teacher named Barbara Janus who introduced her to the teachings of Sayadaw U Pandita of Burma. Her first retreat was with Sayadaw U Pandita and the profound changes she saw in... Read more

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