What’s New At Insight Meditation Center

Los Gatos dana-based sitting group launches

Los Gatos dana-based sitting group launches

A new Dharma group with ties to IMC is starting in Los Gatos. It meets Sundays from 10:15-11:15 am at the Los Gatos YogaSource (16185 Los Gatos Blvd) for a sitting and Dharma talk, which are offered freely. Chairs, yoga blocks, and yoga mats are provided; bring a meditation cushion and/or zabuton if you prefer. The first four weeks (Jan 15 – Feb 5) will be an Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation course offered by Kim Allen, and other teachers will also come…

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Article: Cultivating Compassion by Gil Fronsdal

Article: Cultivating Compassion by Gil Fronsdal

Compassion is inextricably linked to the Buddhist practice of liberation. It can be the motivation for this practice as well as the result.  As one’s inner freedom grows, one’s capacity for compassion increases; as one’s compassion increases, so does the importance of freedom. Liberation supports compassion and compassion supports liberation. They both benefit when they go hand in hand. Compassion is a form of empathy and care that wishes for the alleviation of someone’s suffering. Known as karuna in Buddhism,…

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Year-End Letter from Gil Fronsdal

Year-End Letter from Gil Fronsdal

Dear Friend, This has been a significant year for IMC. This year IMC celebrates its 25th anniversary. It’s hard to believe it was 25 years ago that a small Monday evening sitting group began meeting in Menlo Park!  For all these years we have been a steady and stable refuge for those interested in meditation and Buddhist teachings. This year we also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the purchase of our building in Redwood City.  The ministers who sold us…

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In Memory of Cheryll Gasner

In Memory of Cheryll Gasner

We are sad to announce that Cheryll Gasner, who has been a vital part of the IMC community for over 15 years, died at Stanford Hospital on November 20th, the place where she worked as a nurse practitioner for many years.  Her loving husband Steve was at her side.   She was 54 years old. We will have a memorial service in January, at IMC, and will let you know once it’s scheduled. If you’d like to give your support to…

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Tricycle Retreats

Tricycle Retreats

On Sunday mornings in September and October Gil gave a series of four talks on Buddhist teachings on generosity.  These talks were videoed for Tricycle to use for their November, “Online Retreat.”  The videos can be seen by signing up for Tricycle’s online offerings.

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal

Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9pm, January 11-February 15, 2012 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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Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation w/Jim Podolske and Shin Kwan Park

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation w/Jim Podolske and Shin Kwan Park

Monday mornings, 9:30-11am, January 9 through February 6, 2012 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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Thanksgiving Day Yoga and Meditation

Thanksgiving Day Yoga and Meditation

Thursday November 24, 8:30-10:30am  Meditation, gentle yoga, relaxation. Appropriate for all, regardless of experience. Bring a large towel and sticky mat, if you have one. Taught by Terry Lesser. Terry teaches Yoga for Meditation. She has been teaching classes and retreats at the Insight Meditation Center since 1995. She began practicing yoga in 1984, and has been a student of Vipassana meditation since 1992. Trained in Iyengar style yoga, she also teaches at the California Yoga Center in Palo Alto….

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Half-Day Retreat: Yoga and Meditation with Terry Lesser

Half-Day Retreat: Yoga and Meditation with Terry Lesser

Saturday January 14, 2012, 9am to 12:30pm This retreat offers an opportunity to develop a continuity of awareness in movement and in stillness. We will integrate yoga poses, breath work, relaxation, loving-kindness (metta), and guided and silent meditation and let the synergy of these practices inform and deepen one another to open heart and mind. The retreat is appropriate for beginners to either yoga or meditation as well as experienced yogis and meditators. You do not have to be flexible…

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Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Gil Fronsdal and Heather Martin

Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Gil Fronsdal and Heather Martin

This retreat will be held at Hidden Villa as described below, but registration dates have changed. See below. Sunday, October 14 to Sunday, October 21, 2012 Hidden Villa , 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Flier Information Application Applicants will be admitted to this retreat by lottery. All applications with deposits that have been received by August 1, 2012 will be entered into a lottery to be held on August 2. You will be notified during the following…

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Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Gil Fronsdal

Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Gil Fronsdal

Sunday, September 16 to Sunday, September 30, 2012 Hidden Villa , 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Flier Information Application Applicants will be admitted to this retreat by lottery.  All applications with deposits that have been received by May 31, 2012 will be entered into a lottery to be held on June 1.  You will be notified during the following week if you have been admitted or are on the wait-list.  Subsequent applications will be added to the…

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Memorial Day Weekend Family Retreat with Retreat Richard Shankman, Rebekkah LaDyne, and Liz Powell

Memorial Day Weekend Family Retreat with Retreat Richard Shankman, Rebekkah LaDyne, and Liz Powell

Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28, 2012 Jikoji Zen Retreat Center, 12100 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95030 Flier Information Application Completed applications that had been received by March 16, 2012 were entered into a lottery, held on March 17th, and families were notified. The retreat is NOW FULL.   Subsequent applications will be added to the wait-list. Richard Shankman’s bio Rebekkah La Dyne’s bio Liz Powell’s bio

Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Andrea Fella and Anushka Fernandopulle

Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Andrea Fella and Anushka Fernandopulle

Sunday, April 15 to Sunday, April 22, 2012 Hidden Villa , 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Flyer Information Application Applicants will be admitted to this retreat by lottery.  All applications with deposits that have been received by February 15, 2012 will be entered into a lottery to be held on February 16.  You will be notified during the following week if you have been admitted or are on the wait-list.  Subsequent applications will be added to the…

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Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella

Hidden Villa Meditation Retreat with Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella

Sunday, March 18 to Sunday, March 25, 2012 Hidden Villa , 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Flier Information Application Applicants will be admitted to this retreat by lottery.  All applications with deposits that have been received by January 18, 2012 will be entered into a lottery to be held on January 19.  You will be notified during the following week if you have been admitted or are on the wait-list.  Subsequent applications will be added to the…

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IRC Update from Gil

IRC Update from Gil

It is with great delight that I express my gratitude to all who have donated funds for the renovation of the Insight Retreat Center. We have raised $1.17 million since we started our fundraising campaign in May. This is phenomenally successful for an organization our size. I consider every donation a wonderful and generous gift, from the $5 we received from ten-year old Rachel to the donations of our major donors. Due to the popularity of Audiodharma, we have received…

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