There is no cost for classes, special events, and Daylong retreats at IMC. Donations are welcome. No pre-registration is required unless otherwise stated.
- See the IMC Calendar for special events, daylong retreats and all other events at IMC.
Senior Sangha Group: Enjoying our Aging (Spring 2020)
Taught by David Cohn, Fiona Barner, and Robert Cusick
Thursdays from 11am to 1 pm: Jan 23, Feb 27, Mar 26, Apr 23, May 28, June 25
Suzuki Roshi was asked, “Why do you practice?” He laughed and said, “To enjoy my old age.” Please join us as we create a dharma-based community of IMC seniors of all ages. Everyone is welcome. We will cultivate enjoying our journey through the vicissitudes and blessings of aging with kindness and wisdom practices. There will be guided meditations, talks, and discussion on topics that support aging with ease and contentment. Participants may bring a bag lunch.
Please fill out this short form to be added to the email list for class materials and announcements: form
For questions, email imc.seniorsanghagroup@gmail.com.
10 Supreme Supports for Meditation (2019-2020)
Taught by Chris Clifford, David Cohn and Jennifer Lemas
Fridays, 9:30 am-12:00 pm: 9/13, 10/11, 11/8, 12/6, 1/17, 2/14, 3/13, 4/17, 5/15, 6/26.
The ten perfections (paramis) are ten qualities of character which, when developed, support both Buddhist practice and compassionate involvement in the world. This series will combine emailed readings and reflections with in-class teachings and discussion of what we read and reflected on. Sign-up forms . This is just a short form for getting on the mailing list for the course materials. No deadline, but please sign up if you plan to attend or audit the course. Suggested reading prior to the first class. Participants are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch and stay for lunch.
Deepening Meditation Program (2019-2020)
Taught by Gil Fronsdal, Diana Clark and Max Erdstein
Mondays, 9:30 am-4:00 pm: 8/26; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm: 10/7, 11/11, 12/2, 1/6, 2/3, 3/2, 4/20 5/18. Optional retreat: March 15-22.
The DMP is an eight-month program giving experienced practitioners the opportunity to delve into meditation practice and the Buddhist teachings and instructions for meditation. The program will focus on understanding the different attentional factors involved in mindfulness, insight, and concentration meditation. We will also consider the supports and challenges to meditation, and the experiences and insights emphasized in traditional Vipassana practice. Components of the program include monthly group meetings, readings, short reflective writing assignments and small group practice-discussion meetings with Diana Clark, Max Erdstein and possibly other teachers. Additional optional components are a seven-day retreat at IRC for forty people in March 2020 and a series of daylong retreats at IMC focusing on themes augmenting the program.
As this is an immersion program, having a regular meditation practice is required. Additional prerequisites are five years of committed insight meditation practice, 4 seven-day (or longer) silent insight meditation retreats and completion of the IMC Eightfold Path Program or its equivalent.
Eight-fold Path Program (2019-2020)
Taught by Chris Clifford, Liz Powell, bruni dávila, and Tanya Wiser
Meeting Dates:
- Sunday 1:00 – 2:30: Sept. 8
- Sundays 1:00-3:30: Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1, Jan 12, Feb 16, March 15, April 19, May 17
- Saturday: April 25 9:00-4:00 Optional daylong at IMC on Mindfulness
- Saturday: June 13 9:30 to 4:30 Concluding Daylong Retreat at IRC, Scotts Valley
The Buddha’s most explicit path of practice is the Eightfold Path— a set of eight practical approaches to bring Buddhist practice into the width and depth of our lives. The Eightfold Path Program is an introduction to each of the Eightfold factors so participants will discover how to apply each set of practices in ways that are personally meaningful.
Pre-requisite: completion of IMC’s Introduction to Meditation course or the equivalent.
All are welcome to attend the Sunday sessions below. Please register to receive course materials by email. A longer application is required to be assigned a mentor in addition to the group meetings. The form for both purposes is: APPLICATION LINK. Applications for mentoring due by September 1, 2019.
Dates of Public Meetings at IMC (except for the first and last sessions, all are Sunday 1pm to 3:30pm):
The program has the following elements:
- 2-1/2 hour monthly meetings that include teachings, meditation, and discussions.
- Readings, reflections and practices for each month.
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A monthly one-hour personal meeting with an Eightfold Path mentor to discuss one’s practice and reflections on the Eightfold Path factors. A few slots may be offered for mentoring in Spanish.
(Mentoring slots are by application only, see note above, Sunday meetings are open to the public).
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Ends with a one-day Eightfold Path retreat at the Insight Retreat Center in Scotts Valley
Contact eightfoldpath@insightmeditationcenter.org with questions.
2019
Sep 8 – Introduction to the Program
Oct 6 – Eightfold Path Program – Right View
Nov 3 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Intention
Dec 1 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Speech
2020
Jan 12 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Action
Feb 16 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Livelihood
Mar 15 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Effort
Apr 19 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Mindfulness
(Apr 25 Optional daylong retreat at IMC 9:00-4:00 on Mindfulness)
May 17 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Concentration