What’s New At Insight Meditation Center

Introduction to Loving-kindness Meditation with Dawn Neal

Introduction to Loving-kindness Meditation with Dawn Neal

6 Wednesday evenings, July 17,  24, 31, August 7, 14, and 21, 7:30-9pm This six-week course teaches the basic meditation practice of lovingkindness or goodwill. As one of the central practices of Buddhism, lovingkindness heals anger and self-criticism while cultivating a generous heart. Lovingkindness will be taught as a practice and perspective that is integrated with mindfulness practice. We will also touch on some of the recent scientific research supporting the physical, emotional, and social benefits of lovingkindness and self…

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Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal

5 Wednesday evenings, October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 7:30-9pm 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…

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Volunteering at our Retreat Center

Volunteering at our Retreat Center

Many volunteers have come to our new Insight Retreat Center (IRC) in Santa Cruz to help with gardening, maintenance, cleaning, cooking, office work and other tasks. They have provided not only the indispensable contributions that our all-volunteer center is built on, but have also become part of the growing community associated with it. We are very grateful for the continuing support of our volunteers. If you are interested in becoming part of the volunteer community at IRC, please click here:…

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Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Ines Freedman

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Ines Freedman

5 Wednesday evenings May 22, 29 and June 5, 12, 19, 7:30-9pm 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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Introduction Mindfulness Meditation with Jim Podolske and Shin Kwan Park

Introduction Mindfulness Meditation with Jim Podolske and Shin Kwan Park

5 Monday mornings March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 9:30-11am 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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Beginners Practice Group with Chris Clifford and Jim Podolske

Beginners Practice Group with Chris Clifford and Jim Podolske

4 Wednesday evenings, February 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 7:30-9pm This series is for beginners who have taken a basic mindfulness meditation instruction class and would like to take the next step in building and supporting their practice.  This will be a four week discussion group on developing mindfulness practice.  There will be a 20 minute sitting, a review of the basic teachings, and discussion with an introduction to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Chris Clifford’s…

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Memorial Day Weekend Family Retreat: K- 5th Graders and Parents

Memorial Day Weekend Family Retreat: K- 5th Graders and Parents

With Richard Shankman, Rebekkah LaDyne Saturday May 25- Monday May 27 Jikoji Retreat Center, Los Gatos Practice together as a family during a relaxed weekend that will offer structured retreat practice and small group sharing with other parents, teens, and children, along with hiking and appreciation of the forest, grasslands, and views from the top of the Santa Cruz mountains.  The site features camping and a limited number of shared dorm rooms. Registration is available on the IMC website at https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/2013/01/memorial-day-weekend-family-retreat-k-5th-graders-and-parents/…

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Bringing Mindfulness to Children

Bringing Mindfulness to Children

April 20 9:30am – 4:00pm Bringing Mindfulness to Children is a daylong for teachers, parents, therapists, and others interested in brining mindfulness- based practices to children. We will explore fun and easy mindfulness practices that can be shared with youth of all ages to help them develop embodied awareness, emotional intelligence, curiosity and focus, compassion and empathy, and trust in their own inner wisdom. Pre-registration is requested.  To register or get additional information contact Liz Powell at eapowell@aol.com Taught by: Carla Brooke has taught…

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At Home in the World: Dharma Evenings for people in their 20’s and 30’s with Max Erdstein

At Home in the World: Dharma Evenings for people in their 20’s and 30’s with Max Erdstein

Begins Sunday, January 20, 7:00pm – 8:30pm Future meetings will be held on 3rd Sunday of the month from 7:00pm – 8:30pm Description We are entering the world, ready or not—meeting the challenges of school and work, relationships and intimacy, and finding meaning and purpose as independent adults. The perfect place to practice is right here where we are.This will be an open and ongoing group, meeting monthly, and addressing themes relevant to the lives of twentysomethings and thirtysomethings who…

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IMC Neighborhood Dharma Discussion Groups Sign Up

IMC Neighborhood Dharma Discussion Groups Sign Up

Sign Ups – January 6 to February 3. Groups will meet monthly for 6 months: March – August, 2013 The groups will meet once a month for six months (March through August) in someone’s home at the best time for the majority based on indicated availability.  If you choose to participate, please commit to attending all six meetings.  Each meeting will consist of a short sit, a check-in and a discussion of the topic of the month.  A volunteer will facilitate…

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Article: “A Life of Mutual Benefit” by Gil Fronsdal

Article: “A Life of Mutual Benefit” by Gil Fronsdal

“A wise person is motivated to benefit oneself, others, and both self and others.” —The Buddha Some people live focused on benefiting themselves and those to whom they feel close. Some people are devoted to benefiting others, sometimes at the expense of themselves. To the Buddha, a wise person is someone who wishes for the good of all. Our lives are so interconnected that it is not possible to benefit oneself while neglecting others. And one can’t be of much…

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Thanksgiving Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Thanksgiving Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Nov 22 – Dec 1st, 2013 With Andrea Fella, Wes Nisker, Pat Coffey and Anushka Fernandopulle The Thanksgiving retreat at Spirit Rock is a special opportunity to spend the holiday in the compancy of a like-minded community, surrounded by the peace and silence of the land. We will spend our days in noble silence with the sitting and walking practices of Insight meditation (VIpassana). Supported in this beautiful container, we will explore how the teachings of the Buddha point us…

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Concentration Retreat

Concentration Retreat

Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA August 12-21, 2013 With Phillip Moffitt, Andrea Fella, Adrianne Ross, Donald Rothberg Concentration (samadhi) defined as the collection and unification of the mind, was emphasized by the Buddha as one of the aspects of the Eightfold Path. It can bring joy to your practice and develop the skillful use of pleasure in the meditative process. Whatever your level of practice, you can improve your Insight Meditation (Vipassana) by strengthening your concentration skills. Your ability…

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