Residential Retreats

Residential Retreats

Insight Retreat Center

The Insight Retreat Center (IRC) is IMC’s community-based retreat center just outside of Santa Cruz, CA. We offer silent meditation retreats throughout the year primarily focused on insight meditation (Vipassana) and the liberation teachings of the Buddha.

IRC is entirely supported by a wide community of practitioners, volunteers and donors whose generosity is the foundation for the center. With no paid staff, the running of our retreats expresses the integration of the practice, service and goodwill of our volunteers.

Retreats at IRC are offered freely, as gifts to those who attend. This means there is no cost for retreats. Donations by those who attend our retreats make it possible to pass this gift forward to others who come to IRC.

In 2024, IRC has started to offer retreats with IMC teachers in other locations. We call these off-site retreats. These are listed below and on IRC’s website.

Please see the [Insight Retreat Center] website for a schedule and more information.

Offsite IRC retreats by IMC Trained Teachers


5-Day Outdoor Insight Retreat “Dharma of Nature”
with Dawn Neal and Marjolein Janssen
Offered in collaboration with Off Grid Retreats
Shelterwood Collective, Cazadero, CA
May 23 – 27, 2024 – Hours: Thursday check-in at 3:00 p.m. End time: Monday 11:30 a.m.

We will be practicing outside, exploring the interconnection between the Dharma and the natural world, cultivating wisdom and inviting greater freedom. Experience deepening meditation sessions supported by sensory immersion in nature. And engage in optional movement and / or walking meditation. This retreat is offered freely, as gifts to those who attend—there is no cost. Donations by those who attend make it possible to pass this gift forward to others who want to attend these freely offered retreats.
More info and registration.

5-Day Insight Retreat with Dawn Neal and Kim Allen
Quaker Center, Ben Lomond, CA
Aug 11-16, 2024 – Hours: Sunday check-in at 3:00 p.m. End time: Friday 11:30 a.m.

A silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers. This rustic retreat center is surrounded by the deep forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and includes a beautiful walk uphill to the meditation hall. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. This retreat is offered freely, as gifts to those who attend—there is no cost. Donations by those who attend make it possible to pass this gift forward to others who want to attend these freely offered retreats.
Reserve your spot now. (Formal registration coming soon).

Non-IMC Retreats Organized and Taught by IMC Trained Teachers


5-Day Nature Dharma Insight Retreat
with Tanya Wiser and Kirsten Rudestam
Offered by Sky Mind Retreats
Rain on Snow Retreat Center, Carson Washington

June 16-21, 2024

This is a silent, nature-baed Vipassana meditation retreat centered around understanding the body, heart and mind through the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space.  All identities are welcome. No previous camping or retreat experience is required. This retreat is offered freely, as gifts to those who attend—there is no cost. Donations by those who attend make it possible to pass this gift forward to others who want to attend these freely offered retreats.
More info and registration or email elementsnaturedharma@gmail.com.


5-Day Insight Retreat
with Marjolein Janssen
Offered by the Insight Meditation Community of Richmond, VA
Blue Mountain Retreat Center, Knoxville Maryland
September 4-8, 2024 – Hours: Wednesday check-in at 4:00 p.m. End time: Sunday 1:30 p.m.

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. This retreat is offered freely, as gifts to those who attend—there is no cost. Donations by those who attend make it possible to pass this gift forward to others who want to attend these freely offered retreats.
More info and registration.