What’s New At Insight Meditation Center

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Diana Clark

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Diana Clark

1:00pm – 2:30pm on 5 Tuesday Afternoons, January 13 – February 10, 2015 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-to-moment observation that 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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Freedom Through the Third Precept

Freedom Through the Third Precept

The avoidance of sexual misconduct is the third of the five cardinal Buddhist ethical practices. Sexual feelings and behavior are deeply rooted in our biology, psychology, and social life. After puberty, many people spend significant amounts of time thinking about and involved with their sexuality. Even celibate monastics can devote much energy addressing their sexual feelings. As an ethical precept, the avoidance of sexual misconduct means striving to refrain from causing harm through our sexuality, even unintentionally. Rather than defining…

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Gathering the Mind with Max Erdstein

Gathering the Mind with Max Erdstein

Aspects of Concentration in Mindfulness Practice Five Thursday evenings Sept 18 – Oct 16 7:30pm – 9:00pm The Buddha taught that one who has cultivated samadhi, usually translated as concentration, see things as they are. This five-week series of talks and guided meditations will explore the practice of samadhi and how it relates to vipassana practice. Topics will include: the benefits of concentration practice, factors that support the deepening of concentration, how concentration relates to vipassana, and the role for…

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Beginners Practice Group

Beginners Practice Group

4 Wednesday evenings, November 5, 12, 19, and 26, 7:30 – 9 pm For beginners who have taken an introductory mindfulness meditation class and would like to take the next step in building and supporting their practice. This is a 4-week series on developing mindfulness practice with a 20-minute meditation, review of basic instruction and introduction to further teachings that support mindfulness practice. Led by Chris Clifford and others.

Thanksgiving Morning Yoga and Meditation

Thanksgiving Morning Yoga and Meditation

Thursday, November 26, 2015, 8:30 am – 10:30 am Thanksgiving Day invites us to reflect upon the good in our lives, and to appreciate our good fortune. Even if we are feeling sad, low, grumpy or just not particularly fortunate, coming together in the stillness of meditation and the movement of yoga can revitalize our acceptance, gratitude and joy. Appropriate for beginners to yoga or meditation, as well as those with more experience. Bring a large towel and sticky mat, if…

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Yoga and Meditation Half-Day Retreat

Yoga and Meditation Half-Day Retreat

Saturday, October 25 2014, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm In this retreat we will develop a continuity of awareness in movement and in stillness. Our focus will be on the first three foundations of mindfulness: mindfulness of the body, of feelings or sensations, and of mental processes. We will integrate guided and silent meditation, moving meditation (yoga poses), breath work, and relaxation, and let the synergy of these practices inform and deepen one another to open heart and mind. The retreat…

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Yoga and Meditation Half-Day Retreat

Yoga and Meditation Half-Day Retreat

Saturday, January 3, 2015, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm After the busyness and external focus that often accompanies the holidays, this mini-retreat offers a quiet and grounding place where we can slow down, deepen our meditation, connect with our bodies, and perhaps help clarify what is important for the coming year. Appropriate for beginners and experienced yogis and meditators – you don’t need to be flexible to do yoga; you only need to be as you are. Bring a large…

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9-MONTH EIGHTFOLD PATH PROGRAM

9-MONTH EIGHTFOLD PATH PROGRAM

TAUGHT BY CHRIS CLIFFORD AND SENIOR IMC STUDENTS. The Buddha’s most explicit path of practice is the Eightfold Path. This is a set of eight practical approaches to bring Buddhist practice into the width and depth of our lives. The Eightfold Path Program is an introduction to each of the Eightfold factors so participants will discover how to apply each set of practices in ways that are personally meaningful. Pre-requisite: completion of IMC’s Introduction to Meditation course or the equivalent….

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Letter from Gil Fronsdal & Andrea Fella

Letter from Gil Fronsdal & Andrea Fella

Dear  Friends, As we finish our second amazing year of running our retreat center we have a clearer understanding and vision of what will help the center thrive well into the future. Coincidently and surprisingly we have been given the opportunity to accomplish this! Recently, the property next door went up for sale. It includes one forested acre with a 3-bedroom house. Owning this property will allow us to have more resident volunteers caring for our center and our retreats. This…

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Establishing A Practice Group

Establishing A Practice Group

4 Monday evenings, October 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7:30 – 9 pm, at IMC Annex, 1040 Brewster Ave. Suite D. People who have completed IMC’s Introduction to Meditation class, are welcome to apply to be part of a small four week support group focused on getting further established in a regular meditation practice. The group will be led by Chris Clifford, a long time IMC practitioner and instructor. Participants will have a chance to have a personal meeting with Chris to…

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