Coming to an Event
Everyone is welcome to participate in our programs and community at any level of involvement. We recognize that in our urban setting many people are balancing a full schedule of responsibilities, therefore you are welcome to drop in and leave our programs at any time. While we prefer that people not come late to our events, we also want people to be comfortable about arriving late if this need be the case. When coming late for meditation, we ask that you enter quietly and take a seat in our outer hall until the end of the meditation session.
Newcomers are generally left alone to find their own way into the meditation hall. Since the layout of our building is self-explanatory, this is usually quite easy. If you have any questions when you first arrive, please ask anyone who is standing around, especially anyone with a name tag.
Manager
There is usually a manager for each of our programs. This volunteer is usually the person who rings the bell for the meditation sessions. The manager can answer questions you may have about IMC or about participating in our programs.
No Cost & No Registration
There is no cost nor required donation for our programs. At the same time we are grateful for any donations. Two kinds of donations can be offered. One is for the person who is teaching the program at the time the donation is made. The other is for the center’s operational expenses. There is a donation box next to our front door, with one slot for donations for the teacher and another for our center’s operations.
Most of our programs do not require registration. The few occasional events that require it will be clearly marked on our website and newsletter.
Our Building, Shoes, Chairs and Cushions
Our building is primarily made up of two large rooms and two smaller rooms. We first enter into a large “community hall” which we use for walking meditation, social gatherings, and for spillover seating for our meditation hall. To your immediate right are the shoe racks where shoes are left before entering the meditation hall. On top of the shoe rack, we store a number meditation cushions that anyone can use while at IMC. Our meditation hall is the large carpeted room next to the shoe racks. It has about 60 chairs for those who prefer this option for meditation.
We also have a small library and a small conference room in the back of the building.
Dress
People can wear anything they wish, though we encourage you to wear something comfortable for the meditation. No shoes are worn in the carpeted meditation hall or conference room. Shoes are fine in the community hall and other non-carpeted areas.
Bowing
Many people who participate at IMC bow at the end of meditation and at the end of a talk. Most commonly this is an expression of appreciation and gratitude. This bowing is not required.
Accessibility
IMC is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Among the services offered are:
- One accessible parking space in our small parking lot on Birch Street
- Ramp from the parking area to the front entrance; the main halls and bathroom are wheelchair accessible
- Hearing assistance devices are available in a box by the entry to the meditation hall. The box contains extra batteries and we ask that if you use the hearing devices, please replace old batteries with new ones when needed.
Fragrance-Free
In respect of those with sensitivities and allergies, we request that you not wear scented products at the center.
Newsletter
Our newsleter includes our current schedule and general news about IMC.
Schedule
In addition to the newsletter, the website has all the schedule details. Please explore the various links in the Programs section of the website, and the Calendar link, which has the most recent updates.
Audio Dharma
Our weekly talks are usually recorded and posted on Audio Dharma. You can find hundreds of previously recorded talks on the site on various topics of practice.
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