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

Buddhist Teachings (Series)

(Hybrid: In-Person) Meditation and Buddhist Practice Program – 10 months

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Celeste Young Teacher

Gullu Singh, JD Teacher

Melissa McKay Teacher

Refund and Event Policies

This event is the in-person version of a hybrid yearlong program which will take place both in-person and online. To register for the online version of this event, click here.

Payment plans available.  Please see options below.

Join InsightLA teachers Celeste Young, Gullu Singh, and Melissa McKay for a year-long study program on meditation and Buddhist practice. This program is tailored for laypeople, focusing on integrating these practices into our daily lives—within our communities, families, jobs, relationships, and the world.

The program will cover key aspects of the Buddhist path, including meditation, mindfulness, concentration, virtue, faith and confidence, loving-kindness, and more, all aimed at overcoming negative mind states and alleviating suffering.

Through this program, you will:

  • Discover the ancient Buddhist texts with poetic stories and advice for life
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the mind and the laws of nature
  • Make new friends and be a part of a welcoming and genuine community
  • Grow the positive habits of mindfulness, love, generosity, virtue and wisdom.

The program will consist of one daylong of practice and study per month along and meetings with smaller groups in order to support you in putting the various themes into practice in your life.

Schedule and assigned teachers

This meets on the following Saturdays from 10am to 4pm PT:

  • September 20, 2025 Melissa
  • October 18, 2025 Celeste
  • November 15, 2025 Melissa
  • December 13, 2025 Melissa
  • January 24, 2026 Gullu
  • February 21, 2026 Gullu
  • March 21, 2026 Melissa
  • April 18, 2026 Gullu
  • May 16, 2026 Celeste
  • June 6, 2026 Celeste

Schedule
10am-10:45am – Meditation
10:45-11:45 – Review and Breakout groups
11:45-12:45pm- First Session
12:45pm-1:30 – Lunch
1:30-2:15 – Meditation
2:15-3:15 – Second Session
3:15-4pm – Meditation

Where is this event located? 
This event will take place in person at the Santa Monica Meditation Center. Find directions, parking and accessibility information here. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):
1. Is it okay to register for the in-person option and participate remotely on some dates when I cannot attend in person?
Yes, this is okay. The Zoom link will be included in the auto-confirmation email for both in-person and online participants. 

2. Will there be reading and practices during the month or will it be strictly once a month?
Yes, there will be readings and optional meetings with breakout groups, and check in with other students.

3. Will this be recorded?
This event will be recorded and a link to each recording will be added to the Homepage document. This document will be shared with all registered students before the yearlong program starts.

Payment Plan Options
The total cost, including a $43.75 transaction fee, is $1,295, rounded up. We’re happy to offer flexible payment options to make registration easier:

✅ 2 payments of $648
✅ 3 payments of $432
✅ 4 payments of $325

How it works:

  1. Email alexis@insightla.org to let us know which payment option works best for you.
  2. We’ll set it up and send you your first invoice.
  3. Once you pay the first invoice, the remaining payments will be set to autopay.
  4. After you’ve paid the first invoice, email alexis@insightla.org and CC office@insightla.org to receive instructions for completing your registration.

Testimonials for the Meditation and Buddhist Practice Program 2024

“The year long Buddhist practice course enhanced my life in so many ways. Life was too busy to take a proper retreat this year but getting a day-long once a month was so enriching. Each teacher brought a difference perspective of wisdom and deep direct experience. I learned a lot each week and felt inspired to deepen my personal practice. I increased my daily meditation time and I haven’t missed a day since the beginning of this course. The Insight LA space is great and sitting in a room with others who are now friends has been transformational for me. This is a great program for those who want to learn about the dharma, share space with others doing the same, and cultivate mindfulness, peace and equanimity in one’s heart and in the world.” -Kelly M

“This course was great! The various teachers are knowledgable and presented the different topics in a clear and relevant manner. The meditation sessions helped me to strengthen my own practice outside of class.  I also enjoyed the small groups we formed each session because it gave us an opportunity to get to know the other students and share our experiences.” -Kathryn S.

“Because the teachers were each so different, the course helped me to learn which styles of teaching and practice work best for me. I now have a better sense of the variety in our Vipassana tradition, and I feel more confident in my own choices of teachers to follow and style of practice.” 

“I really feel I got a lot out of the course.  The teachers were excellent, and the students were as well.  I learned a great deal from both.  In addition, the cost was also very reasonable.  I definitely will be participating in the year long program again.”

 

Celeste Young Teacher

Celeste began formal meditation practice in 2002. She was invited to join the very first teacher development cohort at InsightLA under the guidance of founder Trudy Goodman in 2011 and has since taught thousands of students the essentials of mindfulness over the years. Celeste offers several classes a week as a core teacher at ILA,... Read more

Gullu Singh, JD Teacher

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

Melissa McKay Teacher

Melissa began her path of meditation in 1998 with a small group of dedicated practitioners in Oakland, CA with her beloved, though not known, teacher named Barbara Janus who introduced her to the teachings of Sayadaw U Pandita of Burma. Her first retreat was with Sayadaw U Pandita and the profound changes she saw in... Read more

Pricing Options
Class Fee $1250

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

 

Questions or comments about this class? We love hearing from you.

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