Insight Retreat Center

Updates

Year-end Letter from Gil
November 2024

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your participation in IMC and IRC’s offerings. Your engagement—whether it’s listening to our talks, participating in our meditation and training sessions, attending our retreats, or meeting with a teacher or mentor—is invaluable to our success. Your engagement in our programs has inspired and encouraged us to continue to expand what we offer.

We founded IMC with the motto, “Donations follow the practice.” This guiding principle has led us to prioritize creating new practice and teaching opportunities whenever the opportunity arises.

Opportunities continue to arise, and as we grow, our focus on the practice remains unwavering. In recent years, we have had the privilege of training more teachers. In April 2025, we’ll celebrate the graduation of our first group of IMC/IRC–trained teachers, adding fifteen to our current nine teachers. This past June, we launched our two-year Dharma Leader Training with 36 dedicated individuals being trained to provide Dharma teaching and support.

As our community of teachers, practitioners, and volunteers grows, so does our ability to offer more practice opportunities. Looking ahead, this includes offering more residential retreats, online programs, training programs, access to teachers and mentors, programs for different sub-communities within IMC, and satellite groups in other locations.

It’s truly inspiring to see how many people benefit from all that IMC and IRC offers.  It inspires me to continue building upon the phenomenal foundation of all that we have grown up to become. And it inspires me to end this year-end letter where it began:

With thanks for your continued participation in IMC and IRC’s offerings.

With warmth and appreciation,

                           Gil Fronsdal

 
For information about donating to IRC, go to:
https://www.insightretreatcenter.org/donations/

(Posted December 5, 2024)

New: People of Color Kalyana Mitta (Dharma Friends) Group

This group is a joint program of Insight Santa Cruz and Insight Retreat Center.                                         

Hosted at Insight Santa Cruz 740 Front St., suite 240.

Monthly on 2nd Thursdays, 7:30-8:30pm (January 9, February 13, March 13, 2024). Starting in April, we will be meeting both in the center and online. 

Our monthly practitioner-led People of Color Dharma Friends gathering is intended to be a place of belonging, offering a supportive place for BIPOC to practice meditation and explore the Buddha Dharma. We will have a 30-minute guided meditation, followed by a 30-minute mindful check-in on a Dharma theme. Facilitated by Thina Ollier and Tony Arañes or guest facilitators. Anyone who identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) is welcome to attend.

(Posted December 3, 2024)

Upcoming Work Days at IRC

All are welcome to join us for days of sangha service and dharma friendship.  We recommend being vaccinated and please RSVP. You have the option of wearing a mask indoors if you’d like.

Workday Schedule:

9:00 – 9:30     Social Time
9:30 – 9:50     Meditation
9:50 -10:00    Opening Circle
10:00 -12:15  1st Work Period
12:15 – 1:00   Vegetarian Lunch
1:00 – 2:30     2nd Work Period
2:30 – 3:00     Meditation and Dedication of Merit

Can’t work the full day? That’s fine! Signing up does not require you to attend the entire schedule. We appreciate any time you can offer. 

2024 Saturday Work Days

  • December 7

2025 Saturday Work Days

  • January 11
  • March 1
  • March 29
  • April 19
  • May 24
  • June 14
  • July 19
  • Aug 16
  • October 4
  • November 15
  • December 13

(Posted May 1, 2024)

Space Available in these Online Retreats

There is still space available to sign up for these upcoming online retreats:

  • Online Retreatant and/or Auditor spaces available for:

    • 1 week Online Hybrid Insight Retreat for People in their 20s & 30s with Gil Fronsdal & Max Erdstein, & Online Practice Discussions with Kodo Conlin. January 26 – February 2, 2025. (This retreat is only available for those in their 20s and 30s.)
    • 1 week Online Hybrid via Zoom Insight Retreat with Gil Fronsdal & bruni davila, & Online Practice Discussions with Kirsten Rudestam: March 2 to 9, 2025

Register for Multiday Online Retreats here

Daylong Online Retreats via Zoom

The day-long retreats are held mostly in silence, including periods of sitting and walking meditation, instructions, a dharma talk, and an opportunity to ask questions of the teacher.  They are suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Questions?  Contact Sandra Sanabria.

Register for Daylong Online Retreats here.

(Posted April 25, 2024)

Gil’s New Book Available: “Everything is Practice: A Guide to Insight Meditation Retreats”

Gil’s new book available: “Everything is Practice: A Guide for Insight Meditation Retreats”

In this new book, Gil describes how to practice with the many facets of retreats including preparing for and leaving a retreat, Dharma talks, practice discussions, sleep, pain, meals, silence, and mindful attitudes. This book is a detailed and practical guide to understanding what to expect while on retreat, from a perspective of mindfulness. Available on Amazon.

 

(Posted April 25, 2024)