What’s New At Insight Meditation Center

“The Buddha Before Buddhism” by Gil Fronsdal is Now Available

“The Buddha Before Buddhism” by Gil Fronsdal is Now Available

The Buddha before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early Teachings by Gil Fronsdal is now available. A translation with commentary of one of the earliest of the surviving Buddhist texts, which reveals the teachings to be remarkably simple and free of religious trappings. The Aṭṭhakavagga, or “Book of Eights,” is believed by scholars to be among the earliest of written Buddhist texts, and in it we find the Buddha’s teaching pared down to its most uncomplicated essence. Gil Fronsdal’s translation and…

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Children’s Book Drive

Children’s Book Drive

In November we begin our annual children’s book drive to benefit the Fair Oaks Community Center in Redwood City. As part of their holiday food distribution, IMC will donate new or nearly-new books for several hundred children. It’s a delightful way for our sangha to offer dana to our under resourced neighbors. Not only does it promote a love of reading, it brings smiles to many young faces as they select a special book for themselves and their siblings. Books…

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Karuna Award Ceremony

Karuna Award Ceremony

  For Jacques Verduin and GRIP Program Facilitators Friday, November 4, 7:00 Reception; 7:30-8:30 Award ceremony; 8:30-9:00 Festivity IMC is pleased to celebrate the extraordinary work of Jacques Verduin and his inmate facilitators of the GRIP program, at an IMC Award ceremony and fundraising benefit Community Fundraising. Mark your calendars to join us in honoring their service to inmates at San Quentin and other state prisons, in promoting the transformation and healing of men whom society has otherwise disregarded. Mindfulness and…

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The Buddha as a Chaplain

The Buddha as a Chaplain

  Reading the Middle Length Discourses as a resource for chaplains by Gil Fronsdal “A being not subject to delusion has appeared in the world for the welfare and happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.”                                                                …

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The Ten Perfections

The Ten Perfections

Dharma Practice Day Series Fridays 9:30a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2, Feb 10 (ending at 2:30), Mar 10, Apr 21, May 26 Starting September 9, 2016, IMC is offering a ten month program of study and practice of the ten perfections (paramis).  These are ten qualities of character which, when developed, support both Buddhist practice and compassionate involvement with others. These ‘perfections’ are core Buddhist values. This Dharma Practice Day this Dharma Practice Day…

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Mindful Self-Compassion – Eight-Week Course

Mindful Self-Compassion – Eight-Week Course

         Introduction and Registration on Thursday, Sept 15 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm  Classes begin Thursday, Sept 29 from 1:30 to 4:00 pm With Hilary Borison and Judy Long Mindfulness helps us to live in the present moment with non-judgmental awareness, creating more ease with what is.  However, many of us have lots of judgments, often quite critical and self-directed.  We may find it’s much easier to have compassion for others than for ourselves. In this course…

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Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

With Bruni Dávila & Liz Powell Five Tuesday Afternoons August 2 to 30, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Insight Meditation or Vipassana, is a simple technique, beginning with focusing the attention on the breath. The practice concentrates and calms the mind. At the heart of Insight Meditation is the practice of Mindfulness, a practice of moment tomoment observation which cultivates a clear, stable and non-judgmental awareness. While mindfulness practice can be highly effective in helping bring calm and clarity to the pressures of daily life, it…

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Three Month Course, Part 2 (second six weeks) Insight Meditation Society, Barre, MA October 22– December 3, 2016 With Rebecca Bradshaw, Annie Nugent, Andrea Fella, Greg Scharf, Alexis Santos For more information, see www.dharma.org February Month-long Jan 28 – February 25,2017 Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA With Guy Armstrong, James Baraz, Carol Wilson, Sally Armstrong, Andrea Fella, Bonnie Duran For further information see: http://www.spiritrock.org/ Two Week Mindfulness of Mind Retreat Sept 8-22, 2017 At Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle…

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Training in Buddhist Chaplaincy – Sept.-June

Training in Buddhist Chaplaincy – Sept.-June

Taught by Jennifer Block, Gil Fronsdal, Paul Haller & a variety of guest teachers.  A year-long training in Buddhist chaplaincy and spiritual care giving, oriented to Buddhist practitioners with at least four years of committed practice. Its aim is to provide a strong foundation in Buddhist chaplaincy for volunteer chaplains, those working toward being professional chaplains, and those serving the pastoral needs of their local sanghas. Information: www.sati.org , or karuna@sati.org

AIDS Walk San Francisco July 17th

AIDS Walk San Francisco July 17th

On July 17, a group of Sangha members from IMC/IRC will walk the walk. Our intention is to help relieve suffering in our community by raising funds through donations. The funds will benefit dozens of organizations working to stop new HIV infections and support people living with HIV/AIDS. Here’s how you can help: Donate directly to AIDS Walk SF through our team. Register & join our team, IMC/IRC Compassion Team, and help us raise funds. Walk with us in person or as…

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