Offsite Retreat Schedule
- Indoor Retreats & Nature Retreats: Some of the retreats listed below will be held indoors; others may be nature retreats and be held outdoors. Please read retreat descriptions carefully.Â
- Cost: Retreats are offered freely at no cost to anyone who participates. Most of the financial support for IRC comes from donations participants offer at the end of retreats. Their generosity is what allows others to participate in future retreats.
- Deposit: A refundable deposit via credit card is required to reserve a space in the retreat. Your card will only be charged if: (1) you are accepted into the retreat and cancel after the cancellation deadline, (three weeks before the start of the retreat), or (2) you are accepted into the retreat and do not attend.
- For more information, contact the person whose email is provided in the individual retreat listing.
6 day BIPOC Nature Dharma and Insight Retreat
with Victoria Cary and Ram Appalaraju at Big Springs Retreat Center outside of Sierra City, CA
September 27 to October 2, 2025 - Hours: Saturday check-in is from 1:00 pm (PT) to 3:00 pm (PT) End time: Thursday 1:00 pm (PT)
The teachings of the Buddha guides us toward a deeper, more intimate understanding of our hearts and minds. In this retreat, we will practice cultivating compassionate responses, soften into the rhythms of life, and nourish the wisdom and joy that arise from both practicing the Dhamma and being in relationship with nature.
This Insight Meditation Retreat, for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), offers a unique opportunity to deepen your practice through foundational Insight Meditation techniques. Set in the serene, forested landscape of the Northern Sierra Mountains, within a peaceful 170-acre retreat center, this retreat provides a beautiful environment to support your practice.
Each day will include meditation, earth-based practices, deep discussions on our relationship to the natural world, and guided exploration of forested lands of the 170-acre retreat center. The retreat will be held in noble silence and will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, daily Dharma talks, and individual meetings with teachers to guide your practice and deepen your insight.
This nature retreat for BIPOC offers a variety of contemplative practices in the northern Sierra Mountains in a rural retreat center. In the beauty and harmony of nature, and having no access to the internet and cell phones, we will have the opportunity to slow down, unplug and settle into the refuge that Mother Earth offers to us.
Photos: https://www.bigspringsretreat.org/gallery
APPLY ONLINE - Registration opened May 1, 2025 - Login or Register for Carpooling
- There is still rooms available. Submit your application and a $200 deposit. Your deposit will only be charged if you are accepted to the retreat and cancel after 9/6/25.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Barbara, barbara@insightretreatcenter.org
6 day Insight Meditation Retreat
with Matthew Brensilver and Dana DePalma at Big Springs Retreat Center outside of Sierra City, CA
May 23 to 28, 2026 - Hours: Saturday check-in is from 1:00 pm (PT) to 3:00 pm (PT) End time: Thursday 11:30 am (PT)
A silent Insight meditation retreat with a daily schedule of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussions with Gil. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Photos: https://www.bigspringsretreat.org/gallery
Registration opens January 23, 2026 - please check back then
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received by 2/13/26 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 3 weeks later if they have been Accepted or are on the Waiting List. Subsequent applications will be added to the Waiting List. Your deposit will only be charged if you are accepted to the retreat and cancel after 5/2/26.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Yanli, yanli@insightretreatcenter.org