Upcoming Special Events

Upcoming Special Events

Upcoming Special Events

July 1, 2023
  • July 1, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 12:15 pm

    In-Person Mindfulness Meditation and Practice Half-Day with Tanya Wiser

    Location: In-person only at IMC
    Offered by: Tanya Wiser

    This half-day of mindfulness practice will include guided or lightly guided meditations, a brief dharma talk,  group discussion and mindful activity. This  is an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice as well as daily life practice, ask a teacher questions and practice with other sangha members. Mindfulness meditation  half-days are appropriate for beginners as well as those with more experience. Registration is not required. Bring lunch. 

    COVID vaccination and boosters are required. N95 or KN95 masks are required indoors.

    • 9:30 – 10:15 am Guided or Lightly Guided Meditation
    • 10:15 – 11:00 am Optional Small Group (Practice) Discussion or Walking Meditation 
    • 11:00 – 11:45 am Lightly Guided Meditation 
    • 11:45 – 12:00 pm  Brief Dharma Talks
    • 12:00 – 12:15 pm Mindful Activity (cleaning the center) 
    • 12:15 – Informal Lunch Gathering (bring bag lunch)

    The program is offered freely with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or to the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

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July 15, 2023
  • July 15, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    Daylong Online Retreat: the Heavenly Abodes with Liz Powell

    On Zoom


    Description:  A full- day immersion in the formal practice of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity, supported by guided meditations, movement practice, brief dharma talks in the morning and late afternoon, and an optional group practice discussion. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners. 


    Schedule:

    • 9:30 – 9:40am — Welcome, framework for the day, and brief introduction to the Heavenly Abodes
    • 9:40 – 10:25am — Guided loving-kindness meditation
    • 10:25 – 10:45am —  Movement practice, along with a 10-minute introduction for those new to it
    • 10:45 – 11:30am — Guided compassion meditation
    • 11:30 – 11:45am —  Movement practice
    • 11:45 – 12:00pm — Dharmette
    • 12:00 – 1:00pm — Lunch Break
    • 1:00 – 1:45pm — Guided sympathetic joy meditation
    • 1:45 – 2:15pm — Optional group practice discussion or Movement practice
    • 2:15 –  3:00pm — Guided equanimity meditation
    • 3:00 – 3:15pm — Dharmette
    • 3:15 – 3:25pm — Q & A
    • 3:25am – Closing; dedication of merit

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

    Liz Powell's Biography 

    Join Zoom Meeting

    Zoom link will be available soon.


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July 22, 2023
  • July 22, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Daylong with Tanya Wiser

    In-person only at IMC
    Offered by: Tanya Wiser 

    Instructions and guidance on mindfulness of breath, body, emotions, and thoughts will be offered. The schedule consists of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation. Brief small group meetings will be offered with the teacher to answer questions about the meditation instructions. This daylong retreat is recommended for those new to practice and those who wish to review basic meditation instructions. No registration is necessary. Bring Lunch.

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

    No registration is necessary.

    IMC is committed to the health and safety of everyone.COVID vaccination and boosters are required. N95 or KN95 masks are required indoors.


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August 5, 2023
  • August 5, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 12:15 pm

    CANCELLED: In-Person Mindfulness Meditation and Practice Half-Day with Tanya Wiser

    Location: In-person only at IMC
    Offered by: Tanya Wiser

    This event has been cancelled.

    This half-day of mindfulness practice will include guided or lightly guided meditations, a brief dharma talk,  group discussion and mindful activity. This  is an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice as well as daily life practice, ask a teacher questions and practice with other sangha members. Mindfulness meditation  half-days are appropriate for beginners as well as those with more experience. Registration is not required. Bring lunch. 

    COVID vaccination and boosters are required. N95 or KN95 masks are required indoors.

    • 9:30 – 10:15 am Guided or Lightly Guided Meditation
    • 10:15 – 11:00 am Optional Small Group (Practice) Discussion or Walking Meditation 
    • 11:00 – 11:45 am Lightly Guided Meditation 
    • 11:45 – 12:00 pm  Brief Dharma Talks
    • 12:00 – 12:15 pm Mindful Activity (cleaning the center) 
    • 12:15 – Informal Lunch Gathering (bring bag lunch)

    The program is offered freely with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or to the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

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August 12, 2023
  • August 12, 2023

    Saturday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Daylong Retreat with Bruni Dávila

    In-person only at IMC

    Offered by:  Bruni Dávila 

    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 is not required. Bring lunch. 

    IMC is committed to the health and safety of everyone. Therefore, current requirements for attending in person include being fully vaccinated and boosted and wearing an N95 mask. 

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here.


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August 19, 2023
  • August 19, 2023

    Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

    The Five Khandhas and An Inventory of Reality with Bhante Pasanna

    Hosted by the Sati Center
    Via Zoom

    A practical analysis of experience – getting to know the five khandha, the builing blocks of experience, in theory and meditation. We will talk about dukkha and dukkha nirodha, suffering and the end of suffering …and what that means in the context of the Buddha’s teachings on the khandhas.


    Bhante Pasanna
    Born in Vienna in 1975, he was ordained in Sri Lanka in 1997 by Venerable Katukurunde Nyanananda Thero. Bhante Pasanna lived and practiced in monasteries and forest hermitages in Sri Lanka for 17 years. From 2014-2019, he spent time in the Metta Vihara in Germany and since then has been living as an independent hermit in a cottage in rural Germany. It is important to him to convey Theravāda Buddhism in an authentic yet practicable way.


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August 26, 2023
  • August 26, 2023

    Saturday 9:00 am - 11:00 am

    Pali for Practice

    Host by the Sati Center

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  • August 26, 2023

    Saturday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Embodying Awareness: Daylong Mindfulness Meditation Retreat with Dawn Neal

    Location: In-person at IMC only

    To support the maturation of mindful awareness through instruction and continuity, you are invited to join this day of practice. Alternating sitting and walking meditation periods will be offered, as well as light guidance on mindfulness of breathing, body, emotions, thoughts, and choiceless receptive awareness. Recommended for people who have some meditation experience and have attended an introductory mindfulness meditation course (or similar), as well as for experienced practitioners. Bring Lunch.

    Offered byDawn Neal

    IMC is committed to the health and safety of everyone.  Therefore, current requirements for attending in person include being fully vaccinated and boosted and wearing an N95 mask. 

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

    No registration is necessary.

    COVID vaccination and boosters are required. N95 or KN95 masks are required indoors.

    Dawn Neal is an insight practitioner, professional interfaith chaplain, and current IMC Dharma teacher trainee. She has devoted over two years to silent retreat practice since 2005. 


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August 30, 2023
  • August 30, 2023

    Wednesday 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Kim Allen Book Event

    Hosted by the Sati Center

    Kim will be discussing her new book, Full Simplicity: The Art of Renunciation and Letting Go

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September 2, 2023
  • September 2, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Half-Day Online Meditation Practice with Liz Powell

    Location: Online only via Zoom

    When: Saturday, September 2, 2023: 9:30am - 12:00pm PST, with optional sharing about one’s practice from 12:00- 12:45 (facilitated by Liz)

    Description: A half-day of mindfulness meditation together, supported by lighted guided meditations, movement practice, and a dharmette. 

    Schedule: 

    • 9:30 - 9:35   Welcome and framework for the half-day
    • 9:35 - 10:15 Lightly guided meditation
    • 10:15 - 10:45 Movement practice, along with a 10-minute introduction for those new to it
    • 10:45 - 11:30 Lightly guided meditation
    • 11:30 - 11:45 Movement practice
    • 11:45 - 12:00 Dharmette
    • 12:00 - 12:45 Optional group practice discussion facilitated by Liz

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

    Liz Powell's Biography 


    Zoom Link

    Zoom link will be available soon


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September 9, 2023
  • September 9, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

    Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu Daylong

    Hosted by the Sati Center In Person at IMC

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September 16, 2023
  • September 16, 2023

    Saturday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Daylong Retreat with Max Erdstein


    In-person only at IMC
    Offered by Max Erdstein

    Practicing mindfulness on retreat is one of the foundations for maturing insight meditation. The simplicity, silence and support of retreats contribute to letting go of many of the distractions that get in the way of clear seeing. Retreats also are a wonderful environment for developing a continuity of awareness for an extended period.

    This particular daylong retreat is meant for people who already understand the basic practice of mindfulness; no instruction will be given.

    The schedule consists of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation. At the end of the day there will be a Dharma talk. Brief interviews to talk about the practice will be available. Previous experience is recommended. Bring Lunch.

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here.

    No registration is necessary.

    COVID vaccination and boosters are required. N95 or KN95 masks are required indoors.

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September 23, 2023
  • September 23, 2023

    Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Samadhi with Richard Shankman

    Hosted by the Sati Center Online via Zoom

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September 30, 2023
  • September 30, 2023

    Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Samadhi with Richard Shankman

    Hosted by the Sati Center Online via Zoom

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  • September 30, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

    In-Person Metta Daylong Retreat with Nikki Mirghafori

    Location: In-person only at IMC
    Offered by: Nikki Mirghafori

    Metta or lovingkindness meditation is a foundational practice in our Buddhist tradition. It not only supports the development of insight practice, but can also be transformational in its own right. Metta is a gentle cultivation of kindness, friendliness, goodwill towards ourselves and all beings. We will spend this retreat day, which is held primarily in silence, with alternate periods of sitting and walking, supported with instructions, guided meditation, and discussion. Recommended for both beginners and experienced practitioners who wish to deepen their practice. Registration is not required. Bring lunch.

    COVID vaccination and boosters are required. N95 or KN95 masks are required indoors.

    The program is offered freely with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or to the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here

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October 7, 2023
  • October 7, 2023

    Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Living Kindness: Metta Practice for the Whole of Our Lives

    Hosted by the Sati Center In Person at IMC Teacher: Kevin Griffin

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October 14, 2023
  • October 14, 2023

    Saturday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Being in Nature as Nature with Chris Ives

    Hosted by the Sati Center

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November 18, 2023
  • November 18, 2023

    Saturday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

    Mindfulness Meditation Daylong with Mei Elliott

    In-person at IMC only
    Offered byMei Elliott

    This daylong retreat will include guided meditations, a dharma talk, 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. Bring lunch. 

    IMC is committed to the health and safety of everyone. Therefore, current requirements for attending in person include being fully vaccinated and boosted and wearing an N95 or KN95 mask indoors.

    The program is offered freely, with no registration needed. If you'd like to donate to the teacher or the center, you can visit IMC's donation page here.

    Mei Elliott is a Dharma teacher in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, who practices at the intersection between Zen and Vipassana.  She most recently served as the director of San Francisco Zen Center and was previously the guiding instructor for Young Urban Zen. Mei was authorized to teach by James Baraz and is currently in the IMC Teacher Training Program.

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December 2, 2023
  • December 2, 2023

    Saturday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

    Spiritual Friendship and Right View: An Exploration through Dharma Contemplation

    Hosted by the Sati Center

    Dec 2, 2023

    9:00am-12:30pm online

    Gregory Kramer and Kim Allen

    The Pāli suttas name the voice of another and wise attention as the key factors for the arising of right view, or wisdom. This defines speaking and listening practice as foundational to the Eightfold Path. We can see why spiritual friendship (kalyanamitta) is named as the most important external factor for walking the Eightfold Path, and wise attention the most important internal factor.

    On this retreat, we will learn to meditate together with the root wisdom texts. The multi-layered, methodical, and relational meditation practice of Dharma Contemplation is a potent practice by which the discourses of the Buddha can come alive for us. The layers of DC help us to embrace and aim the power of the sensate body, the conceiving mind, and intuitive understanding. Dharma Contemplation directly engages the meditative qualities cultivated in silent meditation and the relational power of spiritual friendship in a deep encounter with the Dhamma. The practice, evolved in this form by Gregory Kramer, was developed within the ancient spiritual traditions of reading sacred texts and the establishment of the relational meditation practice of Insight Dialogue. (Experience with ID is not required for this program).

    During this program, we will enter intimate relationship with key suttas on friendship and right view. We will experience how friendship and wisdom practice are inextricably linked. Why did the Buddha call spiritual friendship the whole of the holy life? What key qualities nourish spiritual friendship? Where in the suttas do we see these friendships in action?

    Spiritual friendship does not just empower our formal Buddhist path. It enlivens, warms, and deepens the whole of our lives. The depth of wise friendship can be a source of resilience, patience, and wholesome urgency in a world that needs models of such qualities. Supported by the power of mutual reminding, shared inquiry, and abiding compassion we might dare to see with right view rather than conventional norms as we engage the Dhamma path of livelihood, family, and community life. 

    In pairs, and small and large groups—and occasionally alone—we will learn and practice the five phases of Dharma Contemplation. 


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