What’s New At Insight Meditation Center
Tuesday, July 13, 7:30 to 9pm Plans for the Coming of Age Program are now in place, and we will be starting our first groups in the fall. Two separate groups will be formed, one for girls and one for boys; both will be open to 7th and 8th graders. Groups will meet monthly from September, 2010 through May, 2011. You and your children are invited to join the teachers and program organizers for two introductory meetings, during which you…
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Letting go is an important practice in everyday life, as well as on the path of liberation. Daily life provides innumerable small and large occasions for letting go of plans, desires, preferences, and opinions. It can be as simple as when the weather changes, and we abandon plans we had for the day. Or it can be as complex as deciding what to sacrifice, when pulled between the needs of family, friends, career, community, or spiritual practice. Daily life provides…
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The July – September 2010 Newsletter is now available for download.
We are happy to announce an update to the Audio Dharma website. Some of the major features of the new site include: improved search new streaming audio player increased automation that will allow quicker posting of dharma talks
Sunday, December 26, 3:00 pm – Sunday, January 2, 12:00 pm This is a traditional Insight meditation (Vipassana) retreat format with sitting and walking in silence, and time for individual interviews. Teachers give daily dharma talks and systematic meditation instructions. We will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a late evening sitting and simple ceremony. NOTE: This is a lottery retreat. To enter the lottery, download the forms from Spirit Rock website or call (415) 488-0164 x 243 to request a…
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November 11-18 The teachings, practices, and realizations of Emptiness have been important themes in Buddhism from the early days of Theravada on through the development of the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools. In this retreat we will introduce and explore the many meanings and implications of emptiness in Buddhist thought and practice through talks, readings, reflections, guided meditations, and group discussions. To support the study aspect of the retreat, there will be two talks a day, in the morning and evening,…
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Sunday, September12, 11:15am to 12pm Gil would like to take this opportunity to offer his appreciation to the many volunteers at IMC for the generous gift of their time and efforts. It will also be an opportunity for volunteers to become better acquainted with one another.
Sunday, July 18, 11:15 (after a brief snack) to 1 pm Hands-on workshop for locating meditation and Buddhism information online including through IMC’s website. Get technical support for using IMC’s many online sources; learn the uses of our updated website and the flexibility and reach of our Community site. RSVP please. Anne Foster, afoster@rawbw.com, 650/591-1285.
Saturday, August 21, 2010, 9am to 4:30pm Have you noticed that no matter what we eat, how much we weigh or exercise, that feeling of lack, emptiness, the unquenchable thirst for more, eventually takes over? The Buddha observed that the source of suffering comes from craving and the mismanagement of desire. He also observed how to satisfy physical and emotional feelings of hunger and lack that are part of the human condition. This class will explore why the Buddha declared,…
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Sunday, August 15, 7 to 8:30pm Megan Cowan will be sharing the work of Mindful Schools and discussing the movement of mindfulness in education. Hear the inspiring impact mindfulness is having on children and teachers in Oakland and the greater Bay Area, and what we can learn about our own practice from the simplicity of children. Megan has been practicing since 1996, mostly in Burma, and including two and half years ordained as a nun. In 2001, she fell upon…
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Welcoming Buddhist chaplains and those interested in deepening their spiritual care practice for a day of learning and community-building. Fleet Maull will will share about prison Dharma and Rev. Judith Finely from Final Passages will talk about Home Funerals and Natural death care. Vegetarian lunch included. Presented by Buddhist Chaplains Group. Pre-registration at www.buddhistchaplainsnetwork.org or call Bill Hart: 415 -567-9823 Acharya Fleet Maull is a senior teacher in both the Shambhala Buddhist and…
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Saturday, January 8, 2011, 9:00am to 12:30pm This retreat offers an opportunity to develop a continuity of awareness in movement and in stillness. We will integrate yoga poses, breath work, relaxation, loving-kindness (metta), and guided and silent meditation and let the synergy of these practices inform and deepen one another to open heart and mind. The retreat is appropriate for beginners to either yoga or meditation as well as experienced yogis and meditators. You do not have to be flexible…
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Sunday, August 22, 11:15am to 12:30pm After the dharma talk, you are welcome to join Kim Allen, IMC’s board president, for tea, conversation, and an update on IMC. Discussion topics could include volunteering at IMC, our culture and way of doing things, or our practice. Questions are welcome.
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9:00am to 4:30pm Mindfulness of the body lies at the foundation of Buddhist meditation practice. To support building a strong foundation, the day will include a variety of teachings and guidance on practices related to the body: instruction on how to practice mindfulness of the body, detailed instruction on meditation posture as well as a period of yoga supportive of meditation practice led by Terry Lesser. Bring lunch.
Saturday, July 17, 2010, 9:30am – 3:30pm During this day we will practice and discuss loving-kindness in light the Metta Sutta, the Buddha’s core discourse on loving-kindness. There will be time for guided meditation, teaching, and discussion of this important topic.