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

Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

The Strength of a Gentle Heart: A Two-Day Retreat with Cayce Howe & Amanda Gilbert

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Cayce Howe Teacher

Amanda Gilbert

Refund and Event Policies

Deepen your understanding and dharma practice by centering awareness on the immeasurable heart qualities of compassion and equanimity.

Join InsightLA Senior Teacher Cayce Howe and Amanda Gilbert for an immersive 2-day retreat experience at Benedict Canyon Retreat House.

The Gentle Heart

This two-day non-residential retreat will be held in the beautiful and restorative setting of Benedict Canyon. Immerse yourself in a supportive atmosphere and center your practice on the immeasurable qualities of the gentle heart. Gain insight into your personal practice, habits of mind and emotional patterning. Strengthen compassion and equanimity, allowing for the cultivation of more love and balance. 

Who is this retreat for?

This non-residential retreat is for anyone who is ready to devote 2 full days of practice to cultivation of the gentle heart, imbued with equanimous compassion.

Expect periods of sitting meditation and walking meditation along with time in nature, periods for reflection and rest, mindful eating practice, and morning/afternoon dharma talks. 

Where is this retreat located? 

This event will take place in person at the Benedict Canyon Retreat House. Yoga mats, blankets, chairs and meditation cushions are available. 

Find directions, accessibility, and important parking information here.  

Schedule: 
Saturday Day 1

  • 10:00 -10:30 AM Opening Session
  • 10:40 – 11:15 AM Dharma Talk / Sitting Meditation
  • 11:15 – 11:40 PM Walking Instructions / Walking Meditation
  • 11:40 – 12:10  PM Sitting Meditation
  • 12:10 – 12:30 PM  Walking Meditation
  • 12:30 – 1:30 PM Meal Break
  • 1:30 – 2:15  Dharma Talk/ Sitting Meditation
  • 2:15 – 2:45 – Walking Mediation
  • 2:45 – 3:20 Sitting Meditation
  • 3:20 – 4pm Closing Session / Sit Meditation

Sunday Day 2

  • 10:00-10:30 AM Opening Session
  • 10:40 – 11:15 AM Dharma Talk / Sitting Meditation
  • 11:15 – 11:40 PM Walking Instructions / Walking Meditation
  • 11:40 – 12:10  PM Sitting Meditation
  • 12:10 – 12:30 PM  Walking Meditation
  • 12:30 – 1:30 PM Meal Break
  • 1:30 – 2:15  Dharma Talk/ Sitting Meditation
  • 2:15 – 2:45 – Walking Mediation
  • 2:45 – 3:20 Sitting Meditation
  • 3:20 – 4pm Closing Session / Community Conversation

Please Note: In keeping with the principles of the dharma that underlie our activities, primarily non-harming, we are requiring that all attendees be fully vaccinated in order to attend in person. Masks are optional as all attendees are fully vaccinated. Attendance is limited to 35 to allow for social distancing.

Exciting News!

InsightLA is running a Food Bank Program to offer our community the opportunity to support the Westside Food Bank and help folks dealing with low-income living and/or experiencing houselessness. To participate please click here.

Cayce Howe Teacher

Cayce Howe has 25 years of meditation experience in a variety of traditions but he feels the strongest ties with the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. His passion for meditation has led him to live and work at meditation retreat centers for nearly 6 years. He completed a one-year meditation retreat in the Tibetan Buddhist... Read more

Amanda Gilbert

Amanda Gilbert is a meditation teacher, lecturer of mindfulness and author of Kindness Now: A 28-Day Guide to Living with Authenticity, Intention, and Compassion. She has been a meditator for over seventeen years and is a graduate of InsightLA’s Mindfulness Facilitator Program. Before dedicating herself to teaching full-time, Amanda was the center director for the Aging,... Read more

Pricing Options
Class Fee $150
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.

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