Reflections from Gil

Gil’s New Book Available: “Everything is Practice: A Guide to Insight Meditation Retreats”

Gil’s New Book Available: “Everything is Practice: A Guide to Insight Meditation Retreats”

Gil’s new book, “Everything is Practice: A Guide for Insight Meditation Retreats,” is now available on Amazon. Gil describes how to practice with the many facets of retreats including preparing for and leaving a retreat, Dharma talks, practice discussions, sleep, pain, meals, silence, and mindful attitudes. This book is a detailed and practical guide to understanding what to expect while on retreat, from a perspective of mindfulness.  

February 11: Zoom and In Person: The Dharma of Sangha – Gil’s Benefit for Insight Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz

February 11: Zoom and In Person: The Dharma of Sangha – Gil’s Benefit for Insight Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz

The Dharma of Sangha: Caring for the Future of ISC. A Benefit Event and Teaching with Gil Fronsdal Hybrid Event In Person physical location:740 Front St., suite 240, Santa Cruz, California Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82866997324?pwd=B6wuZWtHD6AXFP4Fi9iHkKm6G6qisW.1 1:00—2:30 PM Teachings, 2:30 —4:00 PM Refreshments and Social Time. When Dharma is found in Sangha and Sangha supports Dharma practice, a Buddhist community grows and matures.These two principles have been central to the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City that Gil Fronsdal has led for the…

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Middle Length Discourses Course with Gil and Diana Clark; New Sati Center Course

Middle Length Discourses Course with Gil and Diana Clark; New Sati Center Course

A one of a kind course that offers a deeper appreciation and understanding of this fundamental text of the Pāli Canon as well as an opportunity to deepen practice through studying the words and life of the Buddha. The Middle Length Discourses course with Gil Fronsdal and Diana Clark was originally held over Zoom beginning in the summer of 2021 and ran through May 2023. It consisted of 49 classes and covered approximately 50 suttas, or about a third, of…

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Translation of Channa Sutta

Translation of Channa Sutta

Channa Sutta SN 22.90 Translated by Gil Fronsdal At one time, many elder bhikkus were living at Varanasi, in the Deer Park at Isipatana. Then in the evening, Venerable Channa emerged from seclusion. Taking a key, he went from monastic dwelling to monastic dwelling. Approaching the elder bhikkhus, he said, “May the elder bhikkhus instruct me! May the elder bhikkhus teach me! May the elder bhikkhus provide me a Dhamma talk so I can see the Dhamma.”  When this was…

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Non-IRC Retreat with Gil

Non-IRC Retreat with Gil

July 8 – 29: The Practice of Awakening: Zen Intensive Gil and Paul Haller.  Both the tradition of early Buddhism and the Zen tradition emphasize the Practice of Awakening. In this Intensive, which is held in Tassajara, a Zen center in the midst of the Ventana wilderness, we will practice and study the main principles of both traditions and explore how they can support awakening in everyday life. This three-week Intensive offers an opportunity for experienced meditators to engage in…

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12/10/22 Daylong Online Retreat: Mindfulness and the Inner Workings of the Four Noble Truths with Gil Fronsdal

12/10/22 Daylong Online Retreat: Mindfulness and the Inner Workings of the Four Noble Truths with Gil Fronsdal

December 10, 2022,  Saturday, 9:00 am  to 4:30 pm The fullest reach of mindfulness practice is the insight into the Four Noble Truths. This day of meditation practice will place mindfulness within the context of discovering this profound insight. The day will include sitting and walking meditation, instructions, a dharma talk, and an opportunity to ask questions of the teacher. The retreat will take place in our Zoom virtual Meditation Hall. You will receive an email with a link to the online retreat’s…

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Buddhist Chaplaincy Training starts in September

Buddhist Chaplaincy Training starts in September

WITH JENNIFER BLOCK, GIL FRONSDAL, AND PAUL HALLER 11-month training: September 2022–July 2023. An 11-month training program introducing a Buddhist perspective on spiritual care skills needed for being a chaplain or Buddhist teacher, or providing spiritual support for people in times of major life transitions and challenges. Registration required. Offered through the Sati Center (sati.org). More information found here. This is the twentieth year that Jennifer, Gil, and Paul are delighted to offer this program, a program that has benefitted…

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Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy Training with Gil and others

Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy Training with Gil and others

Starting in July, Gil, Susie Harrington, Kirsten Rudestam, and Ram Appalaraju are teaching the third Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy Training. This program offers basic Buddhist training in the wisdom and skill needed to be a Buddhist Environmental Chaplain, i.e., those who work to support people in developing healthy, compassionate, and mutually supportive relationships with each other and with the natural world. It will offer experience-based activities and contemplative practices that deepen individuals’ own relationships with the natural world, as well as provide…

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The Words of the Buddha: Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses

The Words of the Buddha: Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses

Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha With Gil Fronsdal and Diana Clark Intermittent Thursdays on Zoom, 3:30–4:30 p.m. with optional Q&A 4:30–5:00 p.m. Pacific time 1st Theme: Introduction to the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Discourses) – Aug 5 2nd Theme: Relating to the Teachings – August 19, 26, and September 9, 2021 3rd Theme: Faith – September 30, October, 14, 21, 28 4th Theme: The Path – Nov. 11, 18, Dec. 9, and 16 5th Theme: The…

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Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses

Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses

Studying the Words of the Buddha: Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses With Gil Fronsdal and Diana Clark Intermittent Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. A Sati Center program On Zoom (IMC is not open for in-person events at this time) First Series: August 5, 19, 26, and September 9 Please register here so we can send you future dates, the assignments, and the study guides for each class. You will also receive the Zoom link. 1st Themes: Intro to…

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Discourse on Loving-Kindness

Discourse on Loving-Kindness

Metta Sutta translated by Gil Fronsdal To reach the state of peace One skilled in the good Should be Capable and upright, Straightforward and easy to speak to, Gentle and not proud, Contented and easily supported, Living lightly and with few duties, Wise and with senses calmed, Not arrogant and without greed for supporters, And should not do the least thing that the wise would criticize. [One should reflect:] “May all be happy and secure; May all beings be happy…

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June 6, Sharon Salzberg Speaking with Insight World Aid

June 6, Sharon Salzberg Speaking with Insight World Aid

https://insightworldaid.orgInsight World Aid, a Buddhist humanitarian organization that started at IMC and one on which I am on the Board is sponsoring an online conversation with Sharon Salzberg. Sharon was one of my important Vipassana teachers and a teacher who continues to inspire. On Sunday, June 6, 1 -2 pm PT (4-5 pm ET) , IWA board member Roxanne Dault will host a discussion with Sharon Salzberg on a trauma-informed mindfulness training program for survivors of gun violence. The hour will include a…

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May 4th; Buddhist Memorial Supporting Asian-Americans

May 4th; Buddhist Memorial Supporting Asian-Americans

Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 4pm PDT / 7pm EDT A large number of Buddhist centers and teachers from around the US are gathering online on May 4th to memorialize the recent violence against Asian-Americans. IMC and Gil are sponsoring partners for the event titled “May We Gather: A National Buddhist Memorial Ceremony for Asian American Ancestors.” The ceremony will be lived stream on the website, https://www.maywegather.org This website has more information.

Gil’s Upcoming Retreats

Gil’s Upcoming Retreats

I am teaching few meditation retreats from March through October.  Those scheduled are below.  I might add one in June and one in August atthe Insight Retreat Center. April 19 to May 8. At San Francisco Zen Center, I am teaching with Fu Schroeder and Paul Haller, two senior Zen teachers and long-time friends. Called “The Harmony of Zen and Vipassana” it will consist of meditation, talks, and discussions on the relationship between Zen and Vipassana practice.  Details and schedule…

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