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

Non-Residential Retreats

>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)

Living from the Heart: A Two-Day Retreat

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Melissa McKay Senior Teacher

Refund and Event Policies

The ancient Buddhist teaching of metta meditation is a training in discovering and harnessing this power of love.

Join Melissa McKay at the beautiful Benedict Canyon Retreat House for a non-residential, in-depth, two day exploration of this heart-based practice.  

A Two Day Metta Retreat

The suttas say that by practicing metta we familiarize ourselves with the quality of loving-kindness. We personally experience its effect as it expands our hearts and minds and helps us overcome our fears and self-doubt.

Further, we gain faith and trust in loving-kindness as a truly helpful and powerful force that can help heal others, too.  Metta liberates our own minds and. as the antidote for divisiveness and hatred, is the force we need to heal our society.

Who is this retreat for?

This metta retreat is for anyone who would like to experience the benefits of cultivating more open-heartedness, both for themselves and for others. 

It is for anyone who is ready to commit a full day to exploring metta and what it truly means to live from the heart. 

Everyone is welcome, regardless of previous meditation experience.

Schedule:

Friday:
6-7:30pm  Introduction and Talk
7:30-7:45  Stretch
7:45-8:30 Meditation

Saturday and Sunday:
6-6:45am  Meditation at home (optional
6:45-8    Breakfast at home
8:30-9:30   Guided meditation
9:30-10:15  Walking meditation
10:15-11    Sitting meditation
11-11:30  Walking meditation
11:30-1pm   Lunch and rest
1-2     Sitting meditation
2-2:45  Walking meditation  
2:45- 3:30  Sitting meditation
3:30- 4  Tea and optional talking
4-5   Questions and Discussion
5-9  Continue practice at home  (optional Saturday only)

Where is this retreat located? 

This event will take place in-person at the Benedict Canyon Retreat House. 

Find directions, parking and accessibility information here.

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 allow for social distancing.

Testimonials

“Melissa is one of the most experienced practitioners of the new generation of teachers.” -Jack Kornfield

“Melissa is so obviously immersed in the teachings and shares them with such grace and eloquence. She makes herself so accessible and genuinely cares about her students.  I felt so held in the light of her awareness.” -Anonymous Student 

“Melissa is a thoughtful teacher known for her deep care of students and skillfulness in making  esoteric teachings accessible and relatable to modern day living.” -Lodro Rinzler (author and teacher)

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.

Melissa McKay Senior 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 $185

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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