Financial Support

Our mission is to make all of our programs accessible. Every fee-based offering has a limited number of pay-what-you-can spots available to support self-identified people of color, members of marginalized groups (queer people, transgender people, and  people with disabilities) and those in financial need (those for whom the cost to attend is not financially possible). 

These spots are offered on a first come, first served basis. Please pay at the highest level you can afford. In order for this support to be available, we rely on those who can afford to pay the full price to do so.

Find out if spots are available by clicking REGISTER NOW on the event you are interested in.

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 special 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. If you cancel, we apply a 5% credit processing fee and the refunded amounts are listed below:

MBSR, MSC, & MBHC, Mindfulness for Beginners & Special Events

7 days – 95% Refund
<7 days – No Refunds – Credit given if requested or donation to InsightLA

Fee-Based Non-Residential Retreats (note: Donations are non-refundable)

>7 days – 95% Refund
<7 days – No Refunds – Credit given if requested or donation to InsightLA

Residential Retreats

> 8 weeks – amount paid less $100
4-8 weeks – amount paid less $175
2-4 weeks – amount paid less $300
< 2 weeks – No refund

Residential Retreats with Financial Support:

> 8 weeks – amount paid less $75
4-8 weeks – amount paid less $100
2-4 weeks – amount paid less $200
< 2 weeks – No refund

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  • Location Big Bear Retreat Center
  • Experience Levels All
  • Date Starts Wednesday, December 28, 2022
    Ends Monday, January 2, 2023

    5 nights
  • Ride Sharing Sign-Up

Refund and Event Policies

This retreat is full. 

 

Practicing together at the turn of the New Year will provide an ideal time for reflection and taking refuge in dharma and community. By taking time to pause and look into our hearts, we can better care for ourselves and those around us with loving attention and wise action. Through deep inquiry we can also clarify our direction for the New Year and live from the truest part of ourselves. With guidance from the teachers and a warm community of participants, let’s awaken to the New Year together.

Teachers:
Lisa Ernst
Thomas Davis (Assistant Teaching) 

 

Schedule:
Opening Day (Wednesday, December 28th)
2-4pm Arrival and Registration
5:15-6pm BBRC Welcome Walk (optional)
6pm Dinner
6:45-9pm Retreat Orientation; Practice Period

~December 29 & January 1st early schedule~
7:00 a.m. Rise
7:10 a.m. Optional Meditation 
7:45 a.m. Breakfast 
9:30 a.m. Practice Instructions and Sitting/Walking
11:30 Mid -Day Instructions and Reflection
12:00 Lunch and Open Time
1:45 p.m. Meditation 
2:30 Mindful Movement
3:10 p.m. Sitting/Walking Meditation and Group Meetings 
4:30 Q&R
5:15 p.m. Walking or Open Period
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Optional Meditation  
7:30 Dharma Talk, Evening Meditation and Walking
9:15 Retire 

Closing Day (Monday, January 2nd)
6:00 a.m. Rise
6:30 a.m. Sitting 
7:10 Walking
7:45 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Morning Practice Period
10:30 – 11:30 Closing Circle   
12 p.m. Checkout

___________________________

The daily rhythm of a retreat usually involves alternating periods of stationary and movement meditation, nature walks, meals and tea, as well as practice meetings, dharma talks and rest periods. The first session usually begins before breakfast. Each morning the teachers offer continuing meditation instructions for the day. The whole retreat is a succession of mindfulness training, breathing practices, deep awareness of the body and environment, meditations on the nature of feelings, and awareness of mind are from the Buddhist Insight Meditation tradition.

Stationary Meditation: Stationary meditation is at the heart of silent retreats. In stationary practice silence and stillness develop, concentration deepens, and awareness expands. The training of the heart brings kindness and compassion for all that arises. We come into presence and learn to find freedom in the midst of life as it truly is.

Movement Meditation: Graceful and wise movement on the earth is also a way to practice meditation. On retreat, periods of movement meditation alternate with periods of stationary meditation. Through walking practice we learn to sustain meditative awareness through movement. In movement meditation, we become aware in the midst of activity. Throughout the retreat we learn to cultivate a mindful awareness in all postures, sitting, walking, and lying down.

Eating Meditation: An awareness of food, and the mindful understanding of the entire process of nourishment and eating is included in the practice at retreats. Retreatants are encouraged to bring the same calm, focused attention to eating as is brought to stationary and movement meditations. Mindful eating is a wonderful context for the arising of insights. Every bite of food we eat contains, rain, sun, earth and the work of many, many beings.

Dharma Talks and guided meditations:  Each day, the teachers present a different set of teachings that are central to practicing mindfulness and compassion. These teaching can be applied to our own experience. Sometimes the talks focus on retreat practice, and sometimes they offer teachings for wise living in the world.

Donations/Dana: Please note that the price of the retreat covers accommodation, food, facilities, and other InsightLA expenses.  To allow the teachers to continue their dharma work, support from the students is needed.  There will be an opportunity to contribute at the end of the retreat to the teachers.

Yogi Jobs: Participation in this retreat will involve a light working meditation to support the community experience.  When you arrive you will be assigned a daily task to complete with mindful attention.  Please let us know if you have any physical challenges that might impact your ability to perform certain tasks.  Please also bring long pants, closed toe shoes, and a shirt that you can change into in the event you are assigned a yogi job in the kitchen.

Accommodations: The center consists of 13 separate buildings and cabins for dining, meditation, and sleeping. The single-story residence cabins are large fully furnished and comfortable cabins with 3-4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for shared use. Cabins include both single and double rooms, a living room, central heating, a full kitchen, and a deck outside in nature. Cabins are simple yet fully set up for a comfortable stay in the mountains during retreat. 

The Center: Big Bear Retreat Center offers a tranquil space nestled in the forested mountains. This natural environment offers the opportunity to settle and practice in nature. We offer several miles of secluded hiking trails, quiet forested land submerged in nature, and decks for outdoor practice and relaxation.

Meals: The center provides fresh, healthy vegetarian meals made with seasonal and organic ingredients to support a nourishing time and practice while at the center. Additionally offered are fresh daily juices. 

COVID Requirements (read more):
-Proof of full vaccination + boost
-Proof of negative covid PCR test within 3 days prior to arrival
-Masks Required Indoors for first 48-72 hours

To offer or join a ride share, click Sign-Up to the left. Thank you for supporting fellow practitioners.

Lisa Ernst

Lisa Ernst is a meditation teacher, artist and founder of One Dharma Nashville. In her teaching, Lisa emphasizes both transformational insight and everyday awakening as an invitation to embrace all of the path’s possibilities. Lisa has been meditating for over 30 years in the Zen and Vipassana traditions. She teaches internationally and has led retreats... Read more

Thomas Davis

Thomas Davis IV, is a Contemplative Artist based in Los Angeles who explores the connections between the principles of the Dharma, Christian Mysticism, Jazz Ethics, Poetry, Art, Storytelling and Science for a multi-disciplinary exploration of who we are and what is possible for Us. Thomas self-identifies as a Contemplative Artist which allows for a consistent... Read more

Pricing Options
Single Room Private Bath $2200
Single Room Shared Bath $1850
Double Shared Room $1000
Triple Shared Room $650

Financial Support

Our mission is to make all of our programs accessible. Every fee-based offering has a limited number of pay-what-you-can spots available to support members of marginalized groups (people of color, queer people, people with disabilities) and those in financial need (those for whom the cost to attend is not financially possible).

These spots are offered on a first come, first served basis. Please pay at the highest level you can afford. In order for this support to be available, we rely on those who can afford to pay the full price to do so.

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