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Gil’s new Peace and Conflict Chaplaincy Initiatives

Gil’s new Peace and Conflict Chaplaincy Initiatives

In 2026, I am bringing many areas of my long time interests and activity to focus on Buddhist Peace and Conflict Chaplaincy by starting two new programs through the Sati Center:   Peace Chaplaincy Speaker’s Series for dialogues we people working in directly or indirectly in the field of Peace and Conflict Chaplaincy. It continuous the conversations I had with the Palestinian Dharma teacher Muna Shaheen and Israeli Dharma Stephen Fulder and with Mohsen Mandawi    The next conversation will…

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Wed Jan 14-Feb 11: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal-In-Person & YouTube

Wed Jan 14-Feb 11: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal-In-Person & YouTube

Five Wednesdays: January 14 – February 11, 2026: 7:00 – 8:30 pm In-person & on YouTube Offered by: Gil Fronsdal YouTube Livestream   |   IMC Website Livestream 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…

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Thanksgiving Potluck at IMC

Thanksgiving Potluck at IMC

Thanksgiving Day (November 27th) vegetarian potluck at IMC from 11:30am until 2pm. Help setting up and cleaning up afterwards will be needed, with the goal of closing up IMC at 2:30pm. Hosted by Gloria Schul. Everyone invited

Special Sunday a.m,, Dec 7; What Does it Take to Make Peace in a Violent Word: Lessons from Inside Prison Walls.

Special Sunday a.m,, Dec 7; What Does it Take to Make Peace in a Violent Word: Lessons from Inside Prison Walls.

9:25 Silent Meditation 10:00 Presentation and conversation with GRIP graduates hosted by IMC member Kim Moore, the director of the GRIP Training Institute For the regular Sunday morning talk we will have back Kim Moore and graduates from the GRIP Training Program developed by Insight Practitioners for men incarcerated in the California State Prisons. The morning will include an inspiring conversation rooted in lived experience, transformation, and restorative justice. We have had graduates from GRIP speak on Sunday morning some…

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Sunday Dec 21: Winter Solstice Walk in Edgewood Park with Kristen Benson

Sunday Dec 21: Winter Solstice Walk in Edgewood Park with Kristen Benson

Sunday, December 21, 2026: 11:10 am Where: Let’s meet in the Edgewood Park parking lot at 11:10 am for a 3+ mile hike — approximately 3 hours. What: We will celebrate this celestial event walking through local ecosystems with some periods of silence bringing our awareness to the present, paying attention to our senses. There will be a time of sitting with a ritual and a gathering together. Join: Kristen Benson, anEco Buddist Chaplain through Sati Center. A chaplain of…

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The Radiance of Emtpiness: Empty, Emptying and Emptiness in the Pali Suttas

The Radiance of Emtpiness: Empty, Emptying and Emptiness in the Pali Suttas

by Gil Fronsdal When it was evening, the venerable Sariputta rose from meditation and went to the Blessed One. After paying homage to him, he sat down at one side. The Blessed One then said to him:“Sariputta, your faculties are clear. The color of your skin is pure and radiant. What abiding do you often dwell in now, Sariputta?” “Now, venerable sir, I often abide in emptiness.” “Good, good, Sariputta! Now, indeed, you often abide in the abiding of a…

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Saturday, 9/6 Mindfulness of Heart-Mind Daylong with Tanya Wiser

Saturday, 9/6 Mindfulness of Heart-Mind Daylong with Tanya Wiser

Saturday, September 6, 2025: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm In-person at IMC & broadcast live on YouTube YouTube Livestream | IMC Website Livestream Offered by Tanya Wiser Rest the mind, abide moment by moment in embodied presence, and nourish the heart. Join us for a day of dedicated practice in this daylong retreat. Together, we will practice mindfulness, allowing our awareness to rest in the heart-mind while cultivating our capacity for wise and caring attention. This retreat offers a supportive…

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Monday Sep 22: Autumnal Equinox walk In Edgewood Park with Kristen Benson

Monday Sep 22: Autumnal Equinox walk In Edgewood Park with Kristen Benson

Monday September 22, 2025: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm Let’s meet in the Edgewood Park parking lot at 11am for a 3+ mile hike — approximately 3 hours. What: We will celebrate this celestial event walking through local ecosystems with some periods of silence bringing our awareness to the present, paying attention to our senses. There will be a time of sitting with a ritual; and a gathering together. Join: Kristen Benson, an Eco Buddist Chaplain through Sati Center. A…

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Sunday, Aug 24 IMC Community Meeting with Gil

Sunday, Aug 24 IMC Community Meeting with Gil

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 11:15AM -12:15 PM In-person at IMC IMC is growing with new participants, new teachers, and new programs. This community meeting will be a time for Gil to discuss the opportunities and challenges of this growth, in the context of IMC being an all-volunteer community based on a culture of generosity. The meeting will include time for the IMC community to ask questions and offer ideas. Gil, who has been teaching at IMC for 35 years, marvels at…

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July 5: Intro Mindfulness Daylong with Mei Elliot

July 5: Intro Mindfulness Daylong with Mei Elliot

Saturday, July 5⋅9:30am – 4:30pm In Person at Insight Meditation Center Offered by: Mei Elliott This daylong retreat will include guided meditations, dharma talks, and alternating periods of sitting and walking. Instructions and guidance on mindfulness of breathing, body, emotions, thoughts, and open attention will be provided. This daylong retreat is an opportunity to strengthen mindfulness, develop concentration, practice with the IMC community, and ask a teacher questions. This daylong is appropriate for beginners and those with more experience. Registration…

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Saturday Feb 22: Earth Care Meeting: Biophilia with Kristen Benson

Saturday Feb 22: Earth Care Meeting: Biophilia with Kristen Benson

Saturday, February 22, 2025: 8:30 am — 10:00 am Topic: Biophilia Presented by: Kristen Benson We are living in challenging times and often rely on our experience with nature to deepen and validate our interconnectedness and oneness with nature. This experience is defined by the term Biophilia. Biophilia, a simple term coined by E.O. Wilson is the emotional bond humans have with the natural world and other living organisms. . Eco Buddhist chaplain Kristen Benson has been leading nature walks…

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7:00 a.m. YouTube Zoom Community meeting

7:00 a.m. YouTube Zoom Community meeting

7:45 a.m., January 24. Everyone who attends the 7:00 a.m. YouTube teaching is welcome to come to this community meeting on Zoom The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411076883? The passcode is the Buddhist/Pali word for lovingkindness.  

January 14 – February 11: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Tom Fenner

January 14 – February 11: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Tom Fenner

Tuesdays Afternoons from January 14 – February 11 — 5 Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm In-Person: Insight Meditation Center, 108 Birch St, Redwood City, CA 94062, USA 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…

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Jan 23-26: Non-Residential Insight retreat with Ying Chen, Kim Allen, Diana Clark, and David Lorey

Jan 23-26: Non-Residential Insight retreat with Ying Chen, Kim Allen, Diana Clark, and David Lorey

Keeping It Simple: A non-residential Insight retreat with IMC teachers Ying Chen, Kim Allen, Diana Clark, and David Lorey Thursday – Sunday, January 23 – 26, 2025: 8:30am – 5pm Location: Los Altos Community Center, Sequoia Room Registration required This retreat offers an intensive retreat experience in a non-residential retreat format. The retreat will include alternate sitting and walking meditation periods, morning instruction, work meditation, and Dharma talks. Teachings will focus on the deep simplicity available in the practice and…

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February 5 – March 6: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal

February 5 – March 6: Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with Gil Fronsdal

Five Wednesday Evenings, February 5 – March 6, 2025: 7:00 to 8:30pm In-Person: Insight Meditation Center, 108 Birch St, Redwood City, CA 94062, USA 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…

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