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

Register Now Save for Later Please log in or create an account to be able to use this functionality.

  • Location Big Bear Retreat Center
  • Experience Levels All
  • Date Starts Sunday, November 2, 2025
    Ends Thursday, November 6, 2025

    4 nights

Refund and Event Policies

This retreat is hosted by Big Bear Retreat Center, not InsightLA.

For any questions or support for registering or preparing for this retreat, contact guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org.
For more details and to register for this retreat, visit the Big Bear Retreat Center’s website: Befriending Mortality: Living An Awakened Life Through Mindfulness of Death (Maranasati)

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Open to beginner and experienced practitioners. Previous silent meditation retreat experience strongly recommended. 

This retreat invites you to stop running from mortality and instead harness its wisdom to align more fully with your deepest values. In Western culture, death is often an avoided topic, despite being an inevitable part of life.

Through the ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness of death (maranasati), we can become more present for the fleeting, miraculous nature of our lives, cultivating compassion, wisdom, and gratitude. Reflecting on our impermanence frees us from clinging and fosters deep peace. By embracing our finitude, we can embody kindness for ourselves and others, and live more awakened, intentional lives. This silent retreat offers daily interactive sessions to deepen your engagement with this transformative practice, supporting you in living with greater joy, freedom, and spiritual urgency. 

Registration for this retreat closes on October 19, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. If looking to join after this date, please inquire at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org

 

Nikki Mirghafori

Dr. Nikki Mirghafori is an Artificial Intelligence scientist and an internationally recognized Buddhist teacher. She serves as a Stewarding Teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, where she is also on the Board of Directors, and a Dharma Teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA.  She teaches with clarity and warmth on topics... Read more

Pricing Options
Private room with private bath $1200
Private room with shared bath $880
Double room with shared bath $600
Triple room with shared bath $360

Register Now

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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