Residential Retreat Schedule
Insight Retreats are opportunities to engage in full-time mindfulness training. The daily schedule includes periods of sitting and walking meditation, instructions, dharma talks, work meditation and practice discussion with teachers. Silence is maintained throughout most of the retreat.
- Cost: Our 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.
- Lottery: All applications that come in during the first 3 weeks of registration are entered into a lottery. Those not selected can be placed on the Waiting List. If an applicant is not selected in the lottery after applying for a retreat, the probability of getting accepted increases with each subsequent retreat they apply for. More Info.
- Location: Insight Retreat Center, 1906 Glen Canyon Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
See our FAQ for more information – E-Mail Us: info@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Gil Fronsdal, Nolitha Tsengiwe, and Devon Hase
March 26 to April 2, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - RETREAT FULL - APPLY ONLINE to be put on the WAITING LIST. - Login or Register for Carpooling
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received to be added to the Waiting List. Your deposit will only be charged if you are accepted to the retreat and cancel after 3/5/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Barry Rothman, barry@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Nikki Mirghafori and Diana Clark
April 23 to 30, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - RETREAT FULL - Registration CLOSED, Waiting List FULL - Login or Register for Carpooling
- Your deposit will only be charged if you are accepted to the retreat and cancel after 4/2/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Tony Arañes, tony@insightretreatcenter.org
2 week Insight Retreat for Experienced Practitioners with Gil Fronsdal, assisted by Diana Clark
May 7 to 21, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat for experienced yogis that includes alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teacher.
FAQ - RETREAT FULL - APPLY ONLINE to be put on the WAITING LIST. - Login or Register for Carpooling
- Requirements: Attended at least four, 7-day (or longer) silent Insight meditation retreats.
- Your application and $350 deposit must be received to be added to the Waiting List. Your deposit will only be charged if you are accepted to the retreat and cancel after 4/9/23.
Note: This retreat will also be webcast to a Zoom Meditation hall for Online Participants. Diana Clark will provide Practice Support for the Online Participants. To register for the Online option instead: REGISTER HERE
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Roberta Friedman, roberta@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Matthew Brensilver and Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey
June 11 to 18, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - RETREAT FULL - Registration CLOSED, Waiting List FULL - Login or Register for Carpooling
- Your deposit will only be charged if you are accepted to the retreat and cancel after 5/21/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Barry Rothman, barry@insightretreatcenter.org
6 day Insight Retreat in Spanish (Español) with Andrea Castillo and David Lorey
June 30 to July 5, 2023 - Hours: Friday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Wednesday 1:00 pm
Retiro de meditación y atención plena en silencio con periodos de meditación, pláticas de Dharma. Instrucción de yoga con Ángela Salgado López y pláticas individuales con los maestros para hablar sobre la práctica.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opened February 28, 2023 - Login or Register for Carpooling
- Requirements: Haber tenido introducción previa a la meditación Insight y permiso de los maestros.
- Su inscripción y el depósito de $100 deben recibirse a más tardar el día 3/21/23 para ser incluido en la lotería. Aproximadamente 2 semanas después, las personas inscritas recibirán una notificación indicando si fueron aceptadas o si están en la lista de espera del retiro. Las personas que se inscriban después de esta fecha serán colocadas en la lista de espera. El depósito se cobra solamente si la persona aceptada al retiro cancela después de la fecha límite, 6/9/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Sandra Sanabria, sandra@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Diana Clark and Anushka Fernandopulle
July 9 to 16, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opened March 9, 2023 - Login or Register for Carpooling
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received by 3/30/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 6/18/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Leo Hirai, leo@insightretreatcenter.org
6 day Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space: A Practice-and-Study Retreat with Kim Allen, Diana Clark, David Lorey, and Ying Chen
July 24 to 29, 2023 - Hours: Monday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Saturday 1:00 pm
In a departure from the usual IRC retreat format, this retreat will combine silent retreat practice with an exploration of the teaching on the Elements as a support for both insight and concentration. This approach will include textual contemplation, small-group interaction, and guided meditations in addition to silent practice.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens March 24, 2023 - please check back then
- Requirements: Attended at least one, 3-night (or longer) silent Insight retreat.
- Your application and $100 deposit must be received by 4/14/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 7/3/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Roberta Friedman, roberta@insightretreatcenter.org
5 day Insight Retreat with Andrea Castillo and Kim Allen
August 9 to 13, 2023 - Hours: Wednesday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens April 9, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $100 deposit must be received by 4/30/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 7/19/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Sandra Sanabria, sandra@insightretreatcenter.org
6 day BIPOC Insight Retreat with bruni dávila and Noliwe Alexander
August 22 to 27, 2023 - Hours: Tuesday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners who self-identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). This is an opportunity to come together in community and provide safety for each other, to meditate and explore the Buddha’s teachings of liberation in the light of our own experience.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens April 29, 2023 - please check back then
- Requirements: Requirements/prerequisites: Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners who self-identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
- Your application and $100 deposit must be received by 5/20/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 8/1/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Tracy Anderson, tracy@insightretreatcenter.org
5 day Metta Retreat with Nikki Mirghafori and Sayadaw U Jagara
August 31 to September 4, 2023 - Hours: Thursday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Monday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens April 30, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $100 deposit must be received by 5/21/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 8/10/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Fred Branaman, fred@insightretreatcenter.org
3 week Insight Retreat for Experienced Practitioners with Gil Fronsdal, assisted by Ines Freedman
September 10 to 30, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Saturday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat for experienced yogis that includes alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teacher.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens April 10, 2023 - please check back then
- Requirements: Attended at least four, 7-day (or longer) silent Vipassana retreats.
- Your application and $350 deposit must be received by 5/1/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 8/13/23.
Note: This retreat will also be webcast to a Zoom Meditation hall for Online Participants. Ines Freedman will provide Practice Support for the Online Participants. To register for the Online option instead: REGISTER HERE
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Sandra Sanabria, sandra@insightretreatcenter.org
4 day Insight Retreat with Ines Freedman and Diana Clark
October 5 to 8, 2023 - Hours: Thursday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - Registration opens July 5, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $100 deposit must be received by 7/26/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 9/14/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Kristen Kennedy, kristen@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Gil Fronsdal, Liz Powell, and Francisco Gable
October 15 to 22, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens June 15, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received by 7/6/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 9/24/23.
Note: This retreat will also be webcast to a Zoom Meditation hall for Online Participants. Tanya Wiser will provide Practice Support for the Online Participants. To register for the Online option instead: REGISTER HERE
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Prerana Ghotge, prerana@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Max Erdstein and Matthew Brensilver
October 29 to November 5, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - APPLY ONLINE - Registration opens June 29, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received by 7/20/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 10/8/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Tony Arañes, tony@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Gil Fronsdal, Shelley Gault, and Kirsten Rudestam
November 12 to 19, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - Registration opens July 12, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received by 8/2/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 10/22/23.
Note: This retreat will also be webcast to a Zoom Meditation hall for Online Participants. Liz Powell will provide Practice Support for the Online Participants. To register for the Online option instead: REGISTER HERE
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Roberta Friedman, roberta@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Insight Santa Cruz with Bob Stahl
November 27 to December 3, 2023 - Hours: Monday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teacher. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - Registration opens July 27, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $100 deposit must be received by 8/17/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 11/6/23.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Evelyn Strauss, evelyn@insightretreatcenter.org
1 week Insight Retreat with Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella
December 10 to 17, 2023 - Hours: Sunday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
FAQ - Registration opens August 10, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $200 deposit must be received by 8/31/23 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 11/19/23.
Note: This retreat will also be webcast to a Zoom Meditation hall for Online Participants. Ying Chen will provide Practice Support for the Online Participants. To register for the Online option instead: REGISTER HERE
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Fred Branaman, Fred@insightretreatcenter.org
10 day Awareness and Wisdom Retreat with Andrea Fella and Alexis Santos
April 19 to 28, 2024 - Hours: Friday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Sunday 1:00 pm
Exploration of the mindfulness practice taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya, encouraging awareness and wisdom through relaxation of body and mind while paying close attention to present moment experience and the quality of the mind that meditates. Primarily self-directed practice with guidance provided through teachings, Q & A sessions, and discussions with the teacher. Read more about the style and form of this Awareness & Wisdom retreat.
FAQ - Registration opens December 19, 2023 - please check back then
- Your application and $350 deposit must be received by 1/9/24 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 3/29/24.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Roberta Friedman, roberta@insightretreatcenter.org
2 week Mindfulness of Mind Retreat for Experienced Students with Andrea Fella
July 20 to August 3, 2024 - Hours: Saturday check-in is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm End time: Saturday 1:00 pm
Exploration of the mindfulness practice as taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya, encouraging relaxation of body and mind while paying close attention to present moment experience and the quality of the mind that meditates. Self-directed practice with guidance provided through teachings, Q & A sessions and discussions with the teacher.
FAQ - Registration opens February 20, 2024 - please check back then
- Requirements: Attended four 7-day (or longer) silent Vipassana retreats, which includes at least two weeks of retreat in the style of Sayadaw U Tejaniya and teacher's permission.
- Your application and $350 deposit must be received by 3/12/24 to be entered in the lottery. Applicants will be notified about 2 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 6/22/24.
- Questions: Contact the Registrar: Kristen Kenedy, kristen@insightretreatcenter.org