Zoom: Insight w/ Melissa McKay (InsightLA)

Benedict Canyon Retreat House, Beverly Hills

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

To see clearly is to see things as they truly are, absent of our distortions, judgments, and stories. When we see clearly, we shed negativity and stress and live more freely.

Join Senior InsightLA Teacher Melissa McKay for a non-residential weekend insight meditation (vipassana) retreat.

Cultivate tranquility and clear inner seeing by spending time in silence, alternating between periods of sitting and walking meditation.

About Vipassana

Can I be mindful of chocolate for insight?

Vipassana is an ancient, transformative Buddhist meditation technique. Through self-observation, deep insight arises. In Vipassana, we focus attention on the body and mind, observing sensations and the movement of energy as it arises only to dissipate again.

Among the many benefits of Vipassana is the cultivation of inner peace and clarity. To see clearly is to see things, most importantly ourselves, as they truly are.

Who is this retreat for?

This weekend retreat is for anyone who is ready to deepen their meditation practice and live with greater lucidity and therefore with greater ease.

Suitable for all levels, this non-residential weekend experience is a good opportunity for those who would like to learn more about intensive retreat practice.

Where is it?

This event takes place in-person at the Benedict Canyon Retreat House, Beverly Hill and online via Zoom. Find directions, information on what to bring, and more at this link. As a non-residential retreat, participants will return home Friday and Saturday evening.

About Melissa McKay

The Buddha became enlightened by adding vipassana (insight) to his samadhi (stillness).

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Melissa McKay has been practicing meditation since the mid 1990’s. She has trained in Vipassana (insight, mindfulness) meditation and metta (loving-kindness) meditation in Burma and the United States.

Her first retreat was with Sayadaw U Pandita. The profound changes she saw in herself gave her a strong confidence (saddha, faith) and dedication to the practice. She continues to attend intensive meditation retreats yearly and has trained for over 10,000 hours. Learn more about Melissa McKay here.

“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)

Schedule

Friday:

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

Saturday and Sunday:

• 6:00 am-6:45 am Meditation at home (optional)
• 6:45-8:00vBreakfast at home
• 8:30-9:30 Guided meditation
• 9:30-10:15 Walking meditation
• 10:15-11:00 Sitting meditation
• 11:00-11:30 Walking meditation
• 11:30 am-1:00 pm Lunch and rest
• 1:00-2:00 pm Sitting meditation
• 2:00-2:45 pm Walking meditation
• 2:45-3:30 pm Sitting meditation
• 3:30-4:00 Tea and optional talking
• 4:00-5:00 Questions and Discussion
• 5:00-9:00 Continue practice at home (optional Saturday only)
• (Hybrid: In-Person) Clear Seeing: A Weekend Vipassana Retreat - InsightLA Meditation
• Melissa McKay, insightla.org; Dhr. Seven, Jen Bradford, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly