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 their church chose us because we would continue their practice of sitting in silence. In our own way, we have aspired to create a place for silent meditation that is welcoming for all people.
In all this time IMC has grown in wonderful and unforeseen ways. Many more people have benefited from our offerings than I could ever have imagined.
On these anniversaries, I offer my deep gratitude to our dedicated community of volunteers and to all those who have contributed financial support. They have made it possible to accomplish so much, and have allowed us to continue to offer our programs freely, sustaining the circle of open-handed generosity.
This year is momentous in another way, as well. As you probably know, this summer we purchased a property that will soon be the Insight Retreat Center (IRC). Offering residential retreats throughout the year is a natural development for our thriving community, giving practitioners the chance to experience the depth of stillness that’s possible on retreat. I’m confident that the Insight Retreat Center, like IMC, will grow and nourish our community in many wonderful and unexpected ways.
The donations in response to our end-of-year fundraising letter have been a significant source of IMC’s financial support. I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to those of you who are inspired to send a donation this year.
As we will soon begin renovations of the new retreat center, we hope you will also consider making an end-of-year donation to IRC. We are half way to reaching our IRC fundraising goal. With your help, we’ll complete the renovations on schedule and start offering retreats next fall.
Your generosity is a gift to our entire community. As such, I hope you will also participate in the anumodana (celebratory joy) for what IMC has become.
With Appreciation and Metta,
Gil Fronsdal
If you would like to make a donation, please visit our donation page for more information.