Special Events & Daylong Retreats

There is no cost for classes, events and retreats at IMC. Donations are welcome. No pre-registration is required unless otherwise stated.

• For a calendar of special events, daylong retreats and all other events at IMC, see the IMC Calendar
• Subscribe to IMC Special Events Calendar

Dharma Mentoring Training Program (2017-2018)

TAUGHT BY GIL FRONSDAL & ANDREA FELLA

Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except 10/6)

First year: (2017-2018): 8/28, 9/11, Friday 10/6, 11/20, 12/18, 1/8,  2/12, 3/12, 4/2, 5/7

Second year: TBD

IMC is beginning a new two-year long Dharma Mentoring training program in the fall of 2017. Dharma Mentors are practitioners who have matured enough in their own Dharma practice and understanding to support and mentor others in their practice. This program offers a training to prepare a Dharma Mentor to meet individually with people to support their personal Dharma practice, study, and reflection. In offering spiritual direction, Dharma Mentors are not Dharma Teachers; they are spiritual friends facilitating another person’s engagement with the Dharma.

Taught by Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella, the core of the program will consist of monthly daylong classes and practicums. During the first year, the practicums will include participating as a student in IMC’s mentoring programs. The second year involves being a mentor in these mentoring programs. More information can be found on IMC’s special events section of its website.  The opportunity to receive academic credit for the program exists through the Sati Institute (sati.org).

Prerequisites for the program are six years of regular insight meditation practice, a cumulative 60 days of silent meditation retreat practice, and a recommendation from a Dharma teacher.

Entering the Stream Program (2017-2018)

TAUGHT BY GIL FRONSDAL

Monday Oct 2, Friday Nov 3, Monday Dec 4; Friday Jan 19, Monday Feb 5, Friday March 16, Friday Apr 20, Monday May 21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

This eight-month program provides experienced practitioners an opportunity to delve into some of the deeper teachings of our Buddhist tradition in a community of other committed practitioners. We will discuss core principles and insights important in the Buddha’s teachings, including aspects of liberation and awakening. The program includes required monthly readings and short reflective essays. Participation by selection.   Application available on IMC website in July.

Pre-requisites: at least five years of insight meditation practice, five seven-day (or longer) silent vipassana retreats, and completion of IMC’s Eightfold Path Program or its equivalent.

Questions: email imc.enteringthestream@gmail.com.

Eight-fold Path Program (2017-2018)

TAUGHT BY CHRIS CLIFFORD, LIZ POWELL & BRUNI DAVILA

Meeting Dates:

• Sundays 1:00-3:30: Sept 24, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, March 4, April 8, May 6
• Saturday: June 23 9:30 to 4:30 Concluding Daylong Retreat at IRC, Scotts Valley

1. 2-1/2 hour monthly meetings that include teachings, meditation, and discussions.
2. Readings, reflections and practices for each month.
3. A monthly one-hour personal meeting with an Eightfold Path mentor to discuss one’s practice and reflections on the Eightfold Path factors. (Mentoring slots are full for this year, Sunday meetings are open to the public).
4. Ends with a one-day Eightfold Path retreat at the Insight Retreat Center in Scotts Valley

Pre-requisite: completion of IMC’s 5-week Introduction to Meditation course or the equivalent.

Contact eightfoldpath@insightmeditationcenter.org with questions.

The Equivalence of Ethics & Enlightenment

TAUGHT BY GIL FRONSDAL

Friday Sep 7, Monday Oct 1, Monday Oct 22, Monday Nov 26; 2019—Friday Jan 18, Monday Feb 4, Monday Mar 4, and Monday Apr 8, 9am to 3:30pm

Eight-month program from October to April  providing experienced practitioners an opportunity to delve into some of the deeper teachings of our Buddhist tradition in a community of other committed practitioners. We will study and discuss core principles of the Buddha’s teachings on ethics to understand the ethical nature of his teachings. We will discover how the Buddha’s path to awakening is an ethical path, that awakening itself is an ethical awakening, and that the awakened life is an ethical life. The program includes required monthly readings and writing short reflective essays.