Loving Kindness Sitting with Community Prayer List

Mon 01/20/20 - 7:00pm to 7:45pm

Twice a month on the 1st and third Mondays from 7:00-7:45 there will be a community metta (loving kindness) support sitting.  This will consist of four parts: A community member will read a list of names at the beginning of the sitting* to be held with loving kindness intentions/prayers.  Then the group will then do a simple chant of repeating the terms: ‘metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), upekha (equanimity)’ for five minutes.  A 35 minute period of non-guided silent sitting (one can do metta, breath awareness, or open awareness.. as one sees fit). Finally the metta sutta (handouts provided) will be recited together to finish the session.  Click here for the metta sutta.

Nancy Winkler will be the primary group leader for these events.  Brad Balkus will continue to be the community leader for the silent sitting held on the off weeks.

*Anyone in the community may send Director Debra an email during the period up until the day of the sitting.  A new list will be generated after two weeks, and the old list nor longer used. You may resubmit names as many times as you would like. Please include the name of the person or persons you want to be read out loud, and a short message (so and so has such and such illness, or passed away, or…) if you would like to.  The center may edit anything submitted (for purposes of length) or leave requests out if deemed inappropriate (not in the spirit of goodwill, politically motivated, etc…). This list may sometimes also be read at other gatherings at the IMCN in the spirit of supporting our community.

This is a free offering, donations always welcome!

- With Matthew Daniell

Thursday Morning Retreat - With Matthew Daniell

Thu 01/23/20 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Thursday Half Day Retreats are designed to be flexible to personal schedules while offering the opportunity to deepen practice through periods of silent sitting and walking meditation. You may come for part, or all of this retreat.  While at the center, please adhere closely to the schedule and maintain silence.  Click here for retreat schedule.

Teacher Matthew Daniell leads the retreat and there will be minimal instruction offered as needed.  He will provide time for an optional teacher interview with each participant.  A bell will be rung to signal the rotation between silent sitting and walking meditation.  Cost: $25/nonmembers and $20/members  (Can be paid at the door with cash or check only.)

These practice periods are not suitable for complete beginners: An introductory meditation class or equivalent experience is strongly recommended before attending. Attendance is on a drop-in basis; no pre-registration is required.

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Note:  You can pre-register for this retreat or pay at the door.  Pre-registration is not required.

To pay by check or read our refund policy, click here

- With Ted Jones

The Mindful Moment: A Retreat for Beginning and Newer Students - With Ted Jones

Sat 01/25/20 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

Insight meditation is a time-tested method of mind training that enables us to change our relationship to each moment’s experience, and thus our lives. In this retreat, specially designed for beginners and those with limited meditation experience, we will systematically explore (through sitting and walking meditation periods, teachings, and discussion) how to calm and steady the mind and see more clearly.  As we strengthen this capacity we begin to move from suffering and reactivity to responsiveness, freshness and ease. We learn how to touch and live in the mindful moment.

Read About Ted Jones

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Practice Oriented Book Group (6 week series - 1/14-3/24)

Tue 01/28/20 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Tara Brach is an in-the-trenches teacher whose work counters today’s ever—increasing onslaught of news, conflict, demands, and anxieties-stresses that leave us rushing around on auto-pilot and cut off from the presence and creativity that give our lives meaning.

In this heartfelt and deeply practical book, she offers an antidote: An easy-to-learn four-step meditation that quickly loosens the grip of difficult emotions and limiting beliefs.  Each step in the meditation practice (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) is brought to life by memorable stories shared by Tara and her students as they deal with feelings of overwhelm, loss, and self-aversion, with painful relationships, and pas trauma-and as they discover step-by-step the sources of love, forgiveness, compassion and deep wisdom alive within all of us.

This group will meet every other Tuesday for six sessions (1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/10, 3/24). Pre-registration is required for the entire series before the first session. 

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Students will need access to a copy of the book Radical Compassion, by Tara Brach (scheduled for publication on 12/31), and will be expected to complete the readings in between group gatherings.

For the first session, the assignment is to read the Introduction and the first chapter.  Please select a short passage to read to the group and share how the passage relates to your meditation practice. 

PRE-REQUISITE: At least one year of Insight Meditation practice or with permission of the instructor, Barbara Dowd.

To pay by check or read our refund policy, click here