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

Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

The Direct Path to Freedom: The Foundations of Mindfulness

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Gullu Singh, JD

Louije Kim

Gabrielle Hammond

  • Location Big Bear Retreat Center
  • Experience Levels All
  • Date Starts Saturday, September 14, 2024
    Ends Thursday, September 19, 2024

    5 nights

Refund and Event Policies

THE DIRECT PATH TO FREEDOM: THE FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS
Gullu Singh, Louije Kim & Gabrielle Hammond (Qi Gong)

This retreat is presented by Big Bear Retreat Center and UC San Diego.
(note: this is not an InsightLA retreat)

Imagine yourself immersed in a natural environment, dedicated solely to cultivating mindfulness, with the support of dedicated teachers. This meditation retreat provides a supportive environment and opportunity to delve into the practice, which can lead to reclaiming a feeling of well being, and being free from the weight of worry, regret, loss, pain and stress. 

In this retreat we’ll focus on the Buddha’s teachings and instructions in establishing and maintaining mindfulness drawing from the Satipathhana Sutta, a seminal discourse on mindfulness.  We’ll practice Mindfulness of the Breath and Body, Mindfulness of Feeling Tone and Mindfulness of Mind.  The Buddha describes mindfulness as “the direct path to the purification of beings, the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of suffering and discontent” and the realization of peace.

This retreat will also offer one session of qigong daily, using slow guided movements that help metabolize areas of resistance and hindrances that can arise on retreat. These movements are safe, gentle, and oriented toward the healing aspect of the body and heart. There are many options for participation by all bodies and all states of ability. 

The retreat will be held in noble silence with alternating periods of sitting or stationary meditation and walking or movement.  Teachers will provide guidance and instruction and meet with students to offer support.

In the stillness and silence powerful things begin to happen. Your awareness sharpens, your body quiets, and your mind clears. This creates the space for insights and understanding to emerge naturally. Without distractions, you’ll find yourself encountering yourself with greater clarity and honesty.

This deeper self-knowledge paves the way for transformation. You’ll discover how to approach each moment with clarity, kindness, and wakefulness.  By developing your awareness, you’ll find yourself journeying towards liberation, inner peace, and a heart filled with tranquility.

This retreat qualifies as a prerequisite for UC San Diego’s Mindfulness Based Teacher Training programs.

Gullu Singh, JD

Gulwinder “Gullu” Singh is a mindfulness and Dharma teacher who also practices corporate real estate law. Although he was exposed to meditation as a child, he found his own practice when, after law school, he found himself working at high-powered law firms where the job was extremely stressful. Gullu completed the four-year Spirit Rock Meditation... Read more

Louije Kim

Louije Kim, LMFT, is a San Francisco Bay Area based dharma practitioner, teacher and licensed psychotherapist. They have completed dharma study programs including Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners and Community Dharma Leader programs, and recently graduated from Spirit Rock’s four-year Teacher Training in 2020. Louije has taught in various dharma centers locally and across the U.S.... Read more

Gabrielle Hammond

Gabrielle Hammond (Movement Teacher | Qigong) has been practicing as an acupuncturist and doctor of Taoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine for past 28 years, under the tutelage of a 64th generation Taoist Master Chang Yi Hsiang, who initiated her journey into contemplative arts, meditation, and qigong practice at a young age. Gabrielle continues to teach... Read more

Pricing Options
Registration $895

Register Now

Need Financial Support?

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.

Register Now

 

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