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, August 27, 2025
    Ends Sunday, August 31, 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: BIPOC Community Retreat

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This is a retreat for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person-of-Color. Both beginning and experienced practitioners are welcome.

Registration for this retreat closes on August 13th, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. If looking to join after this date, please inquire at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org.

Coming together as a BIPOC community, we create a space of ease and support to meditate and cultivate inner freedom. Held in an environment of silence, this retreat provides an in-depth experience of the Buddha’s teachings on mindful awareness, as well as the cultivation of lovingkindness meditation, illuminating a path toward healing and greater happiness. 

Set in the mountains of Big Bear this retreat offers a get away from the city with extensive time for quiet, meditation and walks in nature. Hakim Tafari will also be offering optional periods of mindful movement. 

Since ancient times, wise cultures have understood the value of retreat. Time in retreat allows us to step out of the complexity of our life and to listen deeply to our body, heart, and mind. Retreats offer practical instruction and group support for discovering inner peace, deep understanding, and liberation.

Our wish is to make this retreat accessible to any person of color who would like to attend. We offer a sliding scale to choose your payment options. Those who can contribute more, however, help ensure that the community of POC meditators continues to flourish.

This retreat is in partnership with Meditation Coalition and Black Being LA.

 

JoAnna Hardy

JoAnna Hardy has been exploring and practicing multiple traditions since 1999. In 2005, her focus landed on Buddhism and Vipassana meditation, which is the premise for most of her current teaching. Teaching in communities and to individuals that don’t typically have access to the traditional dharma settings and building inclusive communities are top on her... Read more

Devin Berry

Devin Berry is an Insight Meditation practitioner and Guiding Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society, as well as a visiting teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Devin co-founded Deep Time Liberation, a program exploring ancestral healing and the impact of intergenerational trauma on Black Americans. Known for his heart-centered teachings that integrate mindfulness, metta, and... Read more

Alli Simon

Alli Simon (she/her) is a 5th generation Angeleno and a dedicated advocate for social justice, healing, and wellbeing. She is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Black Being, a certified yoga instructor (500 RYT Yoga Alliance), and a meditation facilitator (InsightLA and IMTA). With over a decade of personal practice and teaching experience, Alli centers... Read more

Hakim Tafari

UK-born Hakim Tafari embodies a multifaceted artistic spirit. His creativity flows through many forms as a passionate Runner, Martial artist, Buddhist Dharma practitioner. Wellness advocate, DJ, Painter/Artist and Meditation teacher.  In the mid-1990s, after an injury led him to re-evaluate his approach to well-being, Hakim was introduced to a life of mindful movement through martial... Read more

Pricing Options
Generosity $1040
Sustainer $720
Semi-Supported $440
Supported $200

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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