What’s New At Insight Meditation Center
The second Buddhist ethical precept—to refrain from taking what is not given— can be a source of happiness in a number of ways. For example, knowing we have not hurt others by stealing from them is one small form of the happiness that comes from this precept. Knowing that we’re a person others regard as trustworthy and safe, someone they don’t have to fear will steal from them, is another cause of happiness. And still another form of happiness is…
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The July-September 2014 IMC Newsletter is now available.
5 Wednesday evenings, October 1 – 29, 7:30 – 9:00 pm 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 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 is also a…
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A two week series: Thursday June 12 and June 19 7:30 – 9:00 pm Whenever we are caught up in conflict with another, it’s as if we are enveloped in fog. Maintaining mindful presence becomes much more difficult. In these moments, we are more likely to create a separate sense of self and blame the one(s) with whom we are in conflict and/or attack ourselves. This two week series focus on the Buddha’s teachings on conflict, including specific…
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The intention to not cause harm lies at the heart of Buddhist ethical and spiritual life. The commitment to non-harming leads to a life committed to not killing, which is the first of the five precepts undertaken by Buddhists the world over. The first precept has implications in many areas of our lives, some personal and others societal. Close to home it may relate to such issues as eating meat, hunting, having firearms, self-defense, and pest-management. Both at personal and…
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5 Wednesday evenings, July 2 – August 3, 7:30 – 9:00 pm 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 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 is…
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5 Monday mornings, June 2-30, 10:00 – 11:30am 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 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 is also a spiritual path…
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Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances Gil Fronsdal’s new book is now available. It can be ordered through Amazon and maybe available through special order at a local bookstore. It provides a detailed discussion of each of the five hindrances. These are the mental states that present the most common obstacles to meditation. As such, all meditators should become familiar with the hindrances and how to work with them. The book provides instruction on how to turn the…
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The January-March 2014 IMC Newsletter is now available.
Anyone practicing mindfulness knows there are forces in the mind that can make it difficult to stay attentive to one’s present moment experience. Ranging from weak to very powerful, these forces hamper our ability to remain mindful, develop concentration and have clear insight. They pull our attention away from our efforts to meditate. Even with the best of intentions to stay focused, these forces can propel us into the world of pre-occupation and distracted thought. Rather than reacting to these…
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The Spring 2014 IRC Newsletter is now available.
Saturday, January 4, 2014, 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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March 1 – 28, 2014 With Gil Fronsdal, Mary Grace Orr, John Travis, Sharda Rogell, Phillip Moffitt, Heather Martin, Teja Bell (qigong) Click here for further information.
December 27 – January 4, 2014 With Gil Fronsdal, John Travis, Sharda Rogell, Eugene Cash, Janice Clarfield (yoga) Click here for further information.
September 13 – October 25, 2014 Taught by Joseph Goldstein, Carol Wilson, Andrea Fella, Winnie Nazarko, Bhante Buddharakkhita For more information: Three Month Course, Part One at IMS