There is no cost for classes, special events, and Daylong retreats at IMC. Donations are welcome. Most of these year-long events require application or pre-registration to receive Zoom links and materials.
See the IMC Calendar for special events, daylong retreats, and all other events at IMC.
Ongoing Class on the Middle Length Discourses with Gil Fronsdal and Diana Clark
With Gil Fronsdal and Diana Clark
Intermittent Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
A Sati Center program
On Zoom (IMC is closed 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: Introduction to the Middle Length Discourses and Relating to the Teachings
This ongoing series will provide a progressive and systematic study of the Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikāya), one of the most important collections of the Buddha’s teachings. The series will be organized thematically with 3-4 weeks devoted to discussing discourses related to each theme.
The themes covered will be Relating to the Teachings, Faith, the Path, the Buddha, Karma, Rebirth, Effort and Training, Training in Community, Happiness and Sensuality, Mindfulness, Concentration, Wisdom, Attainments and Nibbana.
Participants will be expected to have read and reflected on the readings assigned for each class. Study guides will be provided to lay the foundation of informed readings of the texts. The classes will be devoted to both short lectures on the assigned readings and discussion.
The dates will be intermittent depending on when the instructors are available.
The series is suitable for people who have acquired a good understanding of the basic Buddhist teachings and practices. It is designed for people who have the time and motivation to read the assigned readings before class. You will need to have access to a copy of Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publishing).
Pāramī or “Perfections of the Heart” Course with Diana Clark
Often when we think about Buddhist practice we think of meditation; however, there are additional powerful practices and qualities we can develop in our daily lives such as the ten Pāramī or “Perfections of the Heart.” In this six-month program, we will explore and practice with Patience, Resolve, Truthfulness, and other transformative qualities to support greater freedom in our lives. The program includes monthly meetings, readings, and the writing of short reflective essays. The meetings will include talks, discussions, and guided meditations.
Prerequisites: At least one year of committed insight meditation practice and completion of IMC’s Eight-fold Path Program or its equivalent.
Click here for an application for the program. Applications are due June 21 and notification of acceptance will be by June 25.
The course meetings will be offered via Zoom, 12:30 – 4:00 pm Pacific time (with an ample break) on the following Sundays: July 18, Aug 15, Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, and Dec 12, 2021.
Contact imc.parami@gmail.com with questions.
Eightfold Path Program on Zoom (2021-2022)
Taught by Tanya Wiser, Ying Chen, Chris Clifford, David Lorey
Offered on Zoom, registration/application required, see details below. Applications to have a personal mentor are due by Aug. 15, 2021. Registration to attend without mentoring will remain open.
2021-22 Sundays 1:00-3:30pm Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
- Sep 5 – Introduction to the Program
- Oct 3 – View
- Nov 7 – Intention
- ( Nov 21 1:00-2:00 Optional Drop-in Discussion Session)
- Dec 5 – Speech
- Jan 16 – Action
- ( Feb 06 1:00-2:00 Optional Drop-in Discussion Session)
- Feb 13 – Livelihood
- Mar 6 – Effort–This March meeting will be a hybrid of Zoom and LIVE! at IMC for locals, with a potluck social tea afterwards 3:30-5:00.
- ( Mar 27 1:00-2:00 Optional Drop-in Discussion Session)
- Apr 10 – Mindfulness
- May 15 – Concentration
- (May 29 1:00-2:00 Optional Drop-in Discussion Session)
- June 25 Saturday 9:30 to 4:30 Concluding Daylong Retreat – also on Zoom
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 above. Please register to receive zoom links and course materials by email. A longer application is required to be assigned a mentor in addition to the group meetings. Mentoring slots may fill. The form for both purposes is: registration/application.
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.
- A monthly one-hour personal meeting with an Eightfold Path mentor (if you apply for this) to discuss one’s practice and reflections on the Eightfold Path factors.
- Four optional drop-in Discussion/Q&A sessions for anyone, but especially for those with no personal mentor.
- Ends with a one-day Eightfold Path retreat on Zoom.
Contact eightfoldpath@insightmeditationcenter.org with questions.
The Equivalence of Ethics and Enlightenment with Gil Fronsdal, Diana Clark and Max Erdstein
Two Options:
In-person class
On Mondays at IMC, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 22, Dec 20 (Dec 6), Jan 17, Feb 14, March 14, April 4
Abbreviated, alternate Online class using same readings, reflections, and assignments as the in-person class with access to audio recordings of in-person Dharma talks.
On Saturdays, 9:00 – 11:15 am taught by Diana Clark
Oct 2, Oct 30, Dec 4, Jan 1, Jan 22, Feb 19, Mar 19, Apr 9
Join us as we explore the inherent union of ethics and awakening; that is, how the Buddha’s path to awakening is an ethical path, that awakening itself is an ethical awakening, and that the awakened life is an ethical life. This eight-month program, starting in September 2021 and ending in April 2022, provides experienced practitioners an opportunity to delve into some of the deeper teachings of our Buddhist tradition within a community of other committed practitioners. The program includes required bi-weekly readings and writing of short reflective essays monthly.
To apply, please fill out the application by August 23, 2021. Notification of acceptance will be by August 30, 2021. Later application submissions will be considered, space permitting. Participation in this program is by selection.
The Monday classes will include talks, guided meditations, small group discussions, and Q&A. The online Saturday classes on Zoom will be abbreviated, relying on the students having already listened to the talks from the Monday class. The Saturday class will emphasize small group discussions (Zoom breakout rooms) and Q&A.
IMC wishes to create a safe environment for everyone. We are asking participants for the in-person Monday class to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to take the Saturday online class.
Prerequisites: at least five years of committed insight meditation practice, five seven-day (or longer) silent vipassana retreats, and completion of IMC’s Eightfold Path Program or its equivalent.
This is one of the three-year-long programs for experienced practitioners offered at IMC. The three programs are focused on the three Buddhist trainings: Ethics, Samadhi, and Wisdom. In 2022 we will offer the Deepening Meditation Program (samādhi), and in 2024 we will offer Entering the Stream (Wisdom).
Senior Sangha Group: Enjoying our Aging
Taught by David Cohn, Fiona Barner, and Robert Cusick
On Zoom
Monthly on Third Thursdays from 11am to 1 pm.
2021 dates: Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 15, May 20, Jun 17, Jul 15, Aug 19, Sep 9, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16
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 discussions on topics that support aging with ease and contentment.
Please fill out this short form to be added to the email list for class materials and announcements and class Zoom links: form
For questions, email imc.seniorsanghagroup@gmail.com.