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.
Creative Writing Workshop with Elizabeth Fergason
Sliding the Bones Home: Cultivating Insight Through the Practice of Writing. Both meditation and writing can touch the deepest places within us, including our capacities for insight, creativity, and freedom. During each meeting of this series, we will meditate together and write. A writing prompt in the form of a poem will be offered. The prompt will be connected to Buddhist teachings although the connection may be subtle. Journaling, memoir, essay, fiction, autofiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, and poetry writing are all welcome.
Dates: Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 27, 2021
Feb. 10, 2021
Feb. 24, 2021
Mar. 10, 2021
Mar. 24, 2021
Please reserve your space at sati.chaplain@gmail.com and a Zoom link will be sent to you.
Bio: Elizabeth is a writer and a Buddhist chaplain in training. She graduated from the MA Creative Writing program at San Francisco State University. Recent literary journal publications include Flash Fiction Magazine, Typehouse, Wraparound South, Parhelion, Ligea, and Blue Moon. These may be connected to through elizabethfergason.com
Entering the Stream (2020-2021)
Taught by Diana Clark
On Zoom
Saturdays 9:00am – 3:30pm: September 19, October 17, November 14; December 12; January 16, February 13, April 3, and May 1.
This eight-month program provides experienced practitioners an opportunity to delve into some of the deeper teachings of our Buddhist tradition in a community of other committed practitioners. We will discuss core principles and insights important in the Buddha’s teachings, including aspects of liberation and awakening. The program includes required monthly readings and short reflective essays. Prerequisites: at least four years of committed insight meditation practice, four seven-day (or longer) silent vipassana retreats, and completion of IMC’s Eightfold Path Program or its equivalent. Participation is by selection.
For questions, email imc.enteringthestream@gmail.com
To apply click here.
Applications are due by August 21. Notification of acceptance will be by August 31.
Senior Sangha Group: Enjoying our Aging
Taught by David Cohn, Fiona Barner, and Robert Cusick
On Zoom
Thursdays from 11am to 1 pm: July 23, Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 17
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.
The Eight Worldly Winds
Taught by: Chris Clifford, David Cohen, Jennifer Lemas
Four Friday mornings on Zoom. Registration required: register
Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11 9:30am -12:00pm
The Eight Worldly Winds is a list of four pairs of ways we tend to experience events that lead to clinging or resistance: pleasure and pain, gain and loss, praise and blame, and fame and ill-repute (or high/low status). Join us in exploring some of the fundamental Buddhist teachings about how to find freedom amid life’s ups and downs. Sessions will have a sitting, short talks, and breakout groups.
Eightfold Path Program (2020-2021)
Taught by Tanya Wiser, Ying Chen, bruni dávila, Chris Clifford,
Offered on Zoom, application required, see details below. Applications to have a mentor close Sept. 3 Applications to audit open till Oct. 3.
Meeting Dates:
2020
Sundays 1:00-3:30:
Sep 6 – Introduction to the Program //Note time corrected to same as rest
Oct 4 – Eightfold Path Program – Right View
Nov 1 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Intention
Dec 6 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Speech
2021
Sundays 1:00-3:30:
Jan 10 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Action
Feb 7 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Livelihood
Mar 7 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Effort
Apr 4 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Mindfulness
May 9 – Eightfold Path Program – Right Concentration
June 19 Saturday 9:30 to 4:30 Concluding Daylong Retreat – on Zoom AND IF POSSIBLE FOR LOCALS: 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 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 will probably be limited. The application form for both purposes is: 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.
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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.
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Ends with a one-day Eightfold Path retreat on Zoom and perhaps also for locals at the Insight Retreat Center in Scotts Valley
Contact eightfoldpath@insightmeditationcenter.org with questions.