Upcoming Special Events

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August 13, 2026

August 13, 2026

Thursday 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Lish Dorosin and Doug Wiebe

Five Thursdays: July 23 – August 20, 2026: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
In-person at IMC
Offered by: Lish Dorosin and Doug Wiebe
Mindfulness meditation, also known as insight meditation or vipassana, is a simple technique that concentrates and calms the mind. At the heart of mindfulness meditation is the 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 that gradually dissolves the barriers to the full development of our wisdom and compassion.

During this introductory course, the basic instructions in mindfulness meditation will be given sequentially, starting with a focus on mindfulness of breathing, followed by mindfulness of the body, emotions, thinking, and the application of mindfulness in daily life.

The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you’d like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC’s donation page here.

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August 20, 2026

August 20, 2026

Thursday 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Lish Dorosin and Doug Wiebe

Five Thursdays: July 23 – August 20, 2026: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
In-person at IMC
Offered by: Lish Dorosin and Doug Wiebe
Mindfulness meditation, also known as insight meditation or vipassana, is a simple technique that concentrates and calms the mind. At the heart of mindfulness meditation is the 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 that gradually dissolves the barriers to the full development of our wisdom and compassion.

During this introductory course, the basic instructions in mindfulness meditation will be given sequentially, starting with a focus on mindfulness of breathing, followed by mindfulness of the body, emotions, thinking, and the application of mindfulness in daily life.

The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you’d like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC’s donation page here.

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August 22, 2026

August 22, 2026

Saturday 9:45 am - 4:00 pm

Berkeley Daylong: A Day of Lovingkindness Practice with Matthew Brensilver
Location: Fellowship Hall: Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists,
1924 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA

Offered by: Matthew Brensilver
Registration required: For registration and accessibility information see the Insight Retreat Center's Offsite Retreat page

The Buddha counsels: “Hatred does not cease by hatred but by non-hatred. This law is eternal.” The alternatives to love — namely, hate or apathy — are not viable for ourselves, for our communities or our world. There are many details to work out, but in one way or another, love will be the path forward. Fear, self-absorption and measurement create a million boundaries — lovingkindness dissolves them. During this daylong, we’ll explore the boundless friendliness of mettā and the ways that it is both the path and the fruit of meditation practice.
The day will include guided and silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, a dharma talk, and an opportunity to ask questions of the teacher. All are welcome..
Questions: Contact the Registrar: Barbara, barbara@insightretreatcenter.org.
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August 22, 2026

Saturday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Silent Mindfulness Daylong with Gil Fronsdal

In-person only at IMC
Offered by: Gil Fronsdal

Practicing mindfulness on retreat is one of the foundations for maturing insight meditation. The simplicity, silence and support of retreats contribute to letting go of many of the distractions that get in the way of clear seeing. Retreats also are a wonderful environment for developing a continuity of awareness for an extended period.

This particular daylong retreat is meant for people who already understand the basic practice of mindfulness; no instruction will be given.

The schedule consists of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation. At the end of the day Gil gives a Dharma talk. Brief interviews to talk about the practice will be available with Gil. Previous experience is recommended. Bring Lunch.

The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here.

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August 23, 2026

August 23, 2026

Sunday 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Awake Together: The Middle Way for the Middle of Life: 5-Month Series for People in their 30s and 40s with Mei Elliott and Kodo Conlin

Five Sundays - April 5, May 24, June 21, July 19, and August 23, 2026: 1:30 – 3:30 pm
In-person only at IMC
Offered by Mei Elliott and Kodo Conlin
This five-month in-person program offers an opportunity for people in their 30s and 40s to practice together in community. Each session will include meditation, dharma talks, discussion and activities that support connection. Participants will be given practices, readings and/or brief written reflections to complete in between meetings, and will be encouraged to meet in a small group outside of class time. The program is designed for practitioners who wish to strengthen their practice, deepen their understanding, and form meaningful connections with others on the path. Participants are encouraged to attend all five sessions. Attending the first class is required for participation, and the series will be closed to new participants once it begins.

Registration: Awake Together 2025

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September 12, 2026

September 12, 2026

Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

BIPOC Half-Day of Practice: Love and Awareness with Lily Huang

In person (only) at IMC
Teacher: Lily Huang

Open to those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color.

This half-day retreat supports cultivating a loving awareness, exploring mindfulness infused with lovingkindness. It will include alternating sitting and walking meditation and Dharma reflections. Open to all levels of experience.

Optional informal lunch will follow (bring your own).

The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, please visit IMC's donation page here

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September 19, 2026

September 19, 2026

Saturday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Becoming Available: A Day of Mindfulness, Receptivity, and Ease with Diana Clark

In-person only at IMC
Offered by: Diana Clark

In meditation, freedom does not come from forcing experience to be different, but from learning to meet what is here with openness and care. This silent daylong retreat will include alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, with a few short Dharma talks and very brief mindfulness instructions. Practice discussions with the teacher will also be offered. Please bring a lunch.

The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, please visit IMC's donation page.

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September 26, 2026

September 26, 2026

Saturday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Refuge in Times Like These - A Daylong Mindfulness Meditation Retreat with Thina Ollier and Lauren Silver

This silent daylong retreat is offered as a supportive refuge in the midst of our complicated personal and societal lives. Intended for people who already understand the basic practice of mindfulness, the day will include teachings on “going for refuge,” one of the foundations for all Buddhist practice. The day will include periods of guided meditations, silent meditation, walking meditation, dharma talks, and time for Q&A. Practice discussions with the teachers will be available. Registration is not required. Please bring lunch.

The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

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October 10, 2026

October 10, 2026

Saturday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Mindfulness Daylong with Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Description forthcoming. Timing may shift.

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October 31, 2026

October 31, 2026

Saturday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Mindfulness of Body & Citta While Speaking with Tanya Wiser

Location:
In-person only at IMC
When:
Saturday, October 31 · 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Description:
Mindfulness while speaking can be supported by grounding in the body and stabilized by an open, receptive heart. This daylong retreat will include guided meditations, dharma talks, silent sitting, walking meditation. We will also engage in structured small-group practice sessions designed to deepen the direct experience of speaking from embodied awareness and connection to the clarity and tone of citta (heart-mind).
Instructions and guidance will be offered on knowing, sensing, allowing, and attuning to the citta with compassionate attention. Participants will explore how awareness of the body, together with a heart soft enough to care and respond, can support clarity, steadiness, and care in communication.
This daylong retreat is an opportunity to strengthen mindfulness, develop concentration, practice with the IMC community, and ask questions of the teacher. Both beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome.
Please bring your own lunch.
The program is offered freely, with no registration required. If you would like to support the teacher or the center, donations may be made through IMC’s donation page.
Retreat offered by Tanya Wiser, LCSW, SEP, a formally trained Vipassanā meditation and retreat teacher under the guidance of Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella at the Insight Meditation Center. She is a licensed clinical social worker and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Her approach emphasizes deep listening, compassionate presence, and attunement to the body and citta (heart-mind).

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November 21, 2026

November 21, 2026

Saturday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Mindfulness Practice with Knowing, Allowing, Sensing, and Calming Daylong with Tanya Wiser and Shelley Gault

In-person at IMC
Offered by Tanya Wiser and Shelley Gault
In this retreat, Shelley and Tanya will offer instructions and guidance on the cultivation of mindfulness through knowing, sensing, allowing, and calming with our direct experience. Participants will explore how mindful awareness can be cultivated through attending to the physical body with the support of a caring heart. We will develop our capacity to know and sense physical experience directly and to calm the body and mind. These natural human capacities support the unfolding of clarity, open-heartedness, and ease in meditative awareness.
The retreat will include guided meditation instructions for awareness of the breath, body, emotions and thoughts, as well as silent sitting and walking periods, dharma talks, and small group practice discussions with the teachers. The retreat is suitable for new and experienced practitioners.
The program is offered freely with no registration required. If you would like to support the teachers or the center, donations may be made through IMC’s donation page.
Please bring your own lunch.

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December 12, 2026

December 12, 2026

Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Embodied Presence — Daylong with Kim Allen

in-person at IMC only
Offered by: Kim Allen
Embodied presence supports both everyday well-being and spiritual freedom. The body is a rich resource for mindfulness practice, continually opening and deepening as we explore it. On this day of practice, we will explore practices based in Buddhist teachings that help us connect with the body, experience it freshly, and invite liberating wisdom and compassion to emerge.

Our day will include guided and silent meditations, dharma teachings, and walking meditation. There will be an opportunity to sign up for practice discussions with the teacher. This daylong is appropriate for beginners and those with more experience. Registration is not required. Please bring lunch.

The program is offered freely. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page

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