INSIGHT

NEWSLETTER

SPRING SUMMER

2005 Spiritual Friendship: IMS Schedules: Helping the Dharma Take Root The Retreat Center 2005 in the Next Generation The Forest Refuge 2005/06 An Interview with Michele McDonald

Teacher Interview …Admirable friends, admirable companions, admirable comrades. This is the first prerequisite for the development of the wings to self-awakening. – The Buddha IMS News and Developments Michele McDonald has practiced vipassana meditation since 1975, when she attended the last two weeks of the first three-month vipassana retreat taught in the U.S. BCBS 2005 Today, she is an IMS core faculty member, who has been teaching since 1982 Course Schedule Outline and leading meditation retreats for youth since 1989. Michele has a deep interest in preserving the ancient teachings and finding ways to make them more accessible and authentic in our time, without compromising their essence. In conversation with Insight Newsletter, she explores one way in which the dharma is taking root in our culture – through the offering of teachings to young people.

Michele, what drew you to being in nature. I discovered that still- vipassana practice? ness and peace arose if I sat quietly for long enough. I grew to love the shift When I was a child, I noticed that that occurred in my mind as I opened the adults in my life – both my parents to the mystery of experiencing things and others around me – were suffering directly, beyond thought. greatly. To get a break from the intensi- ty of the unhappiness, I spent a lot of As a child, I didn’t have the strength time alone at a lake near where I lived. of mind to deal with the sorrow that I’d sit by the water under the trees, surrounded me. There was a painful basically watching my breath and just gap between my experience of the

(continued on page 2)

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE INSIGHT MEDITATION SOCIETY

dharma in the natural world and my the time, assisted Sayadaw, and I experience of deep suffering in ordi- helped as well. Steve was profoundly nary human life. That suffering grew inspired; from then on we became the with me into my teens and twenties. driving force in establishing this retreat I didn’t have any support for practice. as an annual IMS event. Also, Chandra, I felt like I was waiting for something – my teenage stepdaughter, sat the course. the chance to undertake formal training. Then, when I was twenty-four, I sat So, my family was deeply involved my first meditation retreat. I knew in IMS’s programming for teens from immediately that this was what I had the start, but I had a lot of hesitation. been waiting for. I was reluctant to face the emotional residue from my own difficult teen What inspires you to teach years, which I knew would come up. meditation? Despite my initial uncertainty, I find Touching the truth directly is like that sharing the dharma with young drinking honey – our hearts open with people stretches my heart and opens my Michele McDonald each drop. I love sharing that process mind in ways that I consider invaluable with others. Offering the teachings is a and, I hope, reciprocal. This kind of sacred privilege. With the intention to spiritual friendship is informed by an understand someone, it’s possible to understanding of what might have bring a joyful interest to whatever helped me to get through those thorny comes up for them, from boredom, to growing-up years with greater ease. karmic knots, to delight. INSIGHT The Buddha said, as mentioned in NEWSLETTER Resistance is so painful for all of us. the commentary on the Dhammapada, I find there are two ways to work with that the sooner in life we begin our A twice yearly publication of the Insight that struggle. One is to find the key to practice, the more likely we are to Meditation Society, a tax-exempt nonprofit someone’s spiritual strength, that which become fully enlightened beings. If we organization whose purpose is to foster really allows a person to relax and con- can share the dharma with people the practice of vipassana (insight) and metta (lovingkindness) meditation, and to preserve centrate. The other way is to help a when they are young, they’ll have more the essential Buddhist teachings of liberation. person have enough mindfulness and time to develop their practice. Some of compassion to open to things as they the people who attended those early The goal of the practice is the awakening are – no matter how difficult. The art of teen retreats have now been practicing of wisdom and compassion through right both teaching and meditation practice for sixteen years. As a result, they have action and cultivating mindful awareness in all aspects of life. is learning how to find a doorway to a strong practice at a young age – the stillness and strength and then gradual- sweetest offering they can give the Editor: Gyano Gibson ly applying that ability so that we can world. It’s wonderful to be able to help Production: Éowyn Ahlstrom & Edwin Kelley awaken to everything that happens. make that possible. Cover photo: Libby Vigeon IMS Buddha Photos: Dawn Close, Libby Vigeon & Éowyn Ahlstrom You are recognized as a leading Are there aspects of teaching Design: Lux Productions vipassana teacher of teens and that are particular to working young adults in this country. with young people? Please address correspondence to: How did you come to teach the IMS, 1230 Pleasant St. Barre, MA 01005, USA dharma to young people? During that first teen retreat, Steve Phone: (978) 355-4378 and I discovered that there’s no need Email: [email protected] Sayadaw U Pandita, the renowned to teach the dharma differently to teens. Website: www.dharma.org Burmese meditation master, offered We don’t water it down – in fact, we step Printed in Canada on recycled the first IMS retreat for teens in 1989. it up. Many people think we might have paper using soy-based inks Steve Smith, to whom I was married at to change something or hold something

Page 2 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005 back, but we’ve found that the younger be wild, radical and question every The practice of meditation generation responds to the teachings convention. They don’t want a is becoming a part of the just like everyone else, only quicker. spiritual practice in which they lose fabric of our culture. sight of the importance of respecting What is your vision for the I find that young people today are the relationships they have. Questions dharma in the West in the more educated, talented and sophisti- about their relations with partners, coming decades? cated than my peers and I were at the friends and parents tend to be same age, but they suffer from an extremely important. The world issues facing young people incredible weariness. They’re inundated are catastrophic. The dharma is more with information from a very young Part of our intention is to provide and more necessary. We need the vision age, and our culture places high expec- a safe and sacred container for of people who value moving toward full tations on them. The pressure to be inquiry into morality. With the enlightenment and who bring the dhar- perfect is accelerating with each gener- support of the silence, precepts and ma into ordinary life. The health and ation. The drive to be successful, rich, discussion groups, as well as the non- survival of our communities, our local multi-talented and beautiful can mani- judgmental intention to understand cultures and our economies depends on fest in so much self-hatred. For many our experience, profound honesty the myriad ways the dharma expresses young people, a meditation retreat is emerges. Young people need to itself – generosity, morality, kindness their first exposure to a way of facing challenge aspects of their lives that and contentment. up to and letting go of that suffering. they find confusing, unbearable or The challenges of growing up in mod- unacceptable. In many cases our In the coming decades we need to define ern Western culture make young peo- society expects them to just believe the meaning of spiritual friendship. ple really ripe for meditation practice. a certain set of rules for life. However, Spiritual friendship makes life worth liv- they need to learn wise and respect- ing. My hope is that spiritual friendships Because the stress for young people ful inquiry. in the sangha here in the West will con- living in our materialistic culture is so tinue to grow and out of these deepen- great, I find that it’s helpful for teens As people reach their twenties, ing connections a greater understanding to be taught lovingkindness practice questions of right livelihood and of the dharma will be born. (metta) right from the beginning. social justice gain significance. Metta is crucial for dealing with feel- They’re facing the challenge of how I would like to see young people fathom ings of self-loathing. Facing the deteri- to separate from their parents – with the ancient roots of this practice as a oration of so many aspects of life on some dignity – and how to live on basis to understand reality. I hope they the planet calls for an ability to appre- their own. Many want to work less will be able to examine the ways in ciate ourselves and others just as we and consume less. Often, in their which the dharma has been transplanted are. This softens the heart and allows minds, the pursuit of a peaceful heart into our culture and change it in a way us to accept things in a healthy way. includes dedication to social justice, that makes sense to them in their life- environmental issues, kindness and time. It would also be great if my dream Young people come to the dharma with sharing. Like all of us, they want to of having young people help create a a refreshing receptivity to the teachings. transcend the mundane, but they center in Hawaii would come true soon. This is just natural as they tend to be less also want to create a way of life that bound by habits of mind that get devel- reflects compassion. Therefore, they oped over the years. Many have the have much to offer our world. During 2005, the IMS Retreat Center courage to search deeply – they really will hold two courses especially for want to know that freedom is possible. I find that young people come to the young people – the Teen Retreat and practice with an eye on figuring out a Vipassana Retreat for Ages 18-32. Are there particular themes how to live. They tend to be looking In addition, Michele will teach a that frequently arise when for a liberation practice that can be 16-day Metta/Vipassana retreat, open you teach young people? integrated and fully embodied within to all ages, June 3-19, and Part 1 of all aspects of their lives rather than the Three-Month Retreat in the fall. Paradoxically, young people need a just a retreat they can come to and Her full schedule is on the web at safe and protected space in which to then leave behind. www.vipassanahawaii.org.

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 3

IMS News Worth Noting

New Guiding Teacher Council And so a new Guiding Teacher Council Scholarship Support for Teens was elected by the teachers. Members of For many years, a small group of the new Council now number seven in IMS is pleased to announce that a new senior and founding teachers – known total – they are IMS co-founders scholarship, the Ryan Fund, has been as the Guiding Teachers – has steered Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg, established for teenagers in need of the organization, with support from Christina Feldman (of Gaia House in financial support to attend the annual the IMS Board, in areas of retreat the UK), Carol Wilson (who has also Teen Retreat. The donor whose gen- programming, selection of retreat served on the IMS Board), Narayan erosity made the scholarship possible teachers and a dharma program Liebenson Grady (of the Cambridge has kindly shared these words about for staff. Insight Meditation Center), Steve his intention in creating the fund. Armstrong (of the Vipassana Metta As IMS evolved from managing a Foundation on Maui) and Guy “In 1995, I was introduced to the single retreat facility to today’s more Armstrong (from Spirit Rock). practice of mindfulness at a five-day complex operation of two centers, retreat led by Jon Kabat-Zinn and the number of faculty who offer the Assistance for Saki Santorelli. My growing interest Buddha’s teachings here increased. Teen & Family Retreats in this practice led me to IMS where “It became apparent to us all that we I learned about the various scholar- needed a larger council to better serve Each year, IMS endeavors to cultivate ship funds. My wife and I were this growing teacher body, and to the mindfulness, compassion and inspired to create a scholarship for represent the faculty in IMS processes,” wisdom of the next generation through teenagers at IMS as a tribute to our explained Guy Armstrong, a teacher the Teen Retreat for ages 14-19 and the son Ryan, who died shortly after his with over 20 years’ experience who is Family Retreat. If you have experience 16th birthday. based in California. in working with teenagers or children, are an experienced meditator, and “One of my favorite memories of are interested in being a group leader Ryan was a moment of sharing for either of these retreats, please wisdom, despite our difference in age: call us at (978) 355-4378 or email as was our custom, I awakened Ryan [email protected]. We are happy for school one morning and while he to offer sitting days in return for lay in bed, I gave him a back rub. your service. He preferred very light contact, a ‘touchy-feely’ as he called them. In addition, funding is needed to cover My job was to solicit goose bumps the cost of special materials for these along his lower back and rib cage, retreats, such as dharma books for teens while his job was to resist the impulse and art supplies for children. Please to contract. I shared with him what contact us if you would like to find out I had learned about using the breath VIS more about becoming a 2005 benefactor as an anchor line, about returning to for one or both of these courses. the breath when discovering that your RALPH DA

Page 4 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005 INSIGHT

mind had wandered. I anticipated Do You Live Near IMS? that he would either reject me out of hand or discount the idea One of the many ways to support completely. To my surprise, he said, IMS, if you live close enough, ÉOWYN AHLSTROM ‘I know about that; I do it when is to offer your time as a volunteer. I’m driving.’ IMS often needs assistance for a variety of tasks in our office, “In creating this scholarship, my wife development, housekeeping and and I hope that IMS becomes a kitchen departments. resource for teens, a place where options for discovery are available If you have sat a retreat at IMS you for aspiring yogis who might not might enjoy volunteering here as well. otherwise have the opportunity because Developing a relationship with IMS of financial constraints. We didn’t as a regular volunteer can be especially know that Ryan was writing any poet- satisfying. It’s a great way to practice Local volunteer John Holland ry until after he died. Ultimately, we in community and serve the dharma at discovered 46 of his poems. They were the same time. different visiting teachers give in his pockets, notebooks, book bag dharma talks and instructions. and under his bed. This is his last John Holland is a chemist from I have really come to enjoy spending poem, written the night before he died. North Kingstown, Rhode Island and time with the staff working, practicing, I share this poem with you because of has been volunteering at IMS since and playing, and always feel sad its significance to me and as a way of 2003. John says, “One of the nicest when it’s time to go home.” sharing a part of Ryan with you.” things I’ve ever done with my practice is to become a local volunteer at IMS. If you are available on a regular basis, Now, and only now It has afforded me an opportunity to weekly or biweekly, that is especially use- practice in a more structured atmos- ful. If interested, please contact Human Forgive the lawless efforts phere than I could hope to at home, Resources. Email [email protected] or shot into your mind. and to listen to a number of call (978) 355-4378 ext. 23. Pity comes in like a changing season Legacy Giving to Preserve the Dharma in a box well kept. So with an unhesitant mind, one should give Take Heaven or Hell where the gift bears great fruit. black or white, on or off, – The Buddha destruction and construction fight in a lost battle. The generous act of planned giving will bear fruit in so many ways, bringing benefit to many future dharma practitioners. Bequests and other planned gifts You’ll find your way help ensure that IMS will be here – serving the dharma – for generations to come. in these forgiven days. Please consider including us in your estate and financial plans. The future does not exist, the past is pointless. For information on how to do this, or to talk about additional now, and only now planned giving options, please contact the IMS Development Office may we live. by calling (978) 355-4378, ext. 19 or emailing [email protected]. Ryan Your generosity is deeply appreciated. October 20, 1995

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 5 Gratitude for the Sangha exist. We extend our deepest gratitude to all of you. Whether you serve as The experience of each IMS retreatant a volunteer, make a donation, or depends on the whole community – the attend a retreat, your support helps yogis sitting the retreat; the teachers make it possible for IMS to share who freely share the dharma; the many the dharma. We just couldn’t do it donors and volunteers who support without you. In the words of another IMS financially and with the valuable community member, John, who gift of time; and all of the staff who recently wrote to IMS, “…all of you organize, cook, clean, manage and bring us light, joy and peace as we maintain the facilities. walk the path together.”

IMS receives a steady stream of letters Gift Certificates of thanks for this place and its programs. We post many such notes on bulletin Give someone the gift of the dharma. boards at the Retreat Center and You may now support a friend to sit Cambridge Insight Forest Refuge, where staff and any IMS retreat for which they qualify. Meditation Center teachers can read and appreciate them. IMS will issue a certificate to the value Yet, in a sense, many of these of the gift. This certificate is valid for CIMC is a non-residential urban comments are meant for the entire seven years from the date of issue and center for the teaching and practice sangha. Here are just a few of those can be applied as full or part payment of insight meditation. expressions of gratitude: of any IMS program. For more CIMC’s programs are designed to information, call or email our office. provide a strong foundation in “Thank you all… for providing me Go Green, Go Online formal meditation as well as daily with this opportunity to serve. I have felt deeply enriched by countless practice. Our schedule includes daily moments arising and passing over these Do you receive more than one copy sittings, weekly dharma talks, two weeks. Each of you has offered, of our newsletter? If your household ongoing classes and practice groups, without knowing it, a unique inspira- would like to help save forests by teacher interviews, and a variety tion for me.” – Ted sharing mailings (limiting mailings of weekend workshops and to one per household) or by relying meditation retreats. “At the end of every retreat at IMS, solely on our website and email for I wonder how I can begin to express news, please let us know. An open invitation is extended to my gratitude for all that I’ve received, all to stop by CIMC and browse even though I offer dana. Quite simply, Seeking Volunteer Consultants through the library or join in any the gifts of the dharma are endless. of the public sittings or Wednesday [Dana] is a tangible way to acknowl- IMS frequently needs help evening dharma talks. A growing edge something immeasurable – the from people with professional number of out-of-town yogis have profound impact that the teachings skills willing to volunteer some enrolled in our weekend have had on my life.” – Olivia time or resources. retreats. Contact us for a list of bed If you have expertise and breakfasts in the area. “The teaching was profound, insightful, in one of the areas below, gentle, loving, effective and greatly help- please contact Deborah Crown, 331 Broadway ful. It is a blessing to be able to come Human Resources Director. Cambridge, MA 02139 here. Thank you IMS.” – Robert Call (978) 355-4378 ext. 31 or email [email protected]. Office: (617) 441-9038 The truth is, without the participation • Web Development 24-hour information and of everyone who attends our programs fax line: (617) 491-5070 and generously shares their financial • Human Resources – Salary Administration resources and time, IMS would not • Employment or Immigration Law Website: www.cimc.info • Brochure Design/Printing Services

Page 6 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005 Book Review

D full circle. It is coming back to the around me either. In sitting, I can bow ears, hearts, and hands of people to the whole human being in myself of color, where it began many and in all of us.” centuries and generations ago…” Thus the stage is set for the many Dharma, Color, and Culture is like a large unfoldings of this exquisite and long- box that has many smaller boxes hid- awaited volume. den inside. When you open one, you are presented with yet another. With The twenty five essays gathered here each succeeding essay, we are offered are divided into five sections – the yet another inspiring gift, another teachings of the Four Noble Truths bright and shining light that illumi- and what Reverend Baldoquin calls nates the path to peace and an end “the fifth truth, the truth of Bringing to suffering. the Teachings Home.” Each essay offers a glimpse into the experiences As Rosa Zubizarreta writes in her of people of color from various essay How Can I Be A Buddhist If I Don’t Buddhist traditions as they walk, and Like To Sit?, “I hope you will discover at times struggle, on the path to real- your own forms of practice, in what- ize the freedom from suffering the ever way helps you connect with the Buddha said was possible in this very Buddha nature in all beings, in what- Dharma, Color, and Culture: life. Those experiences are at times ever way helps you understand the New Voices in Western ones of great joy and awakening, and dharma inherent in all living beings, Buddhism also ones that often bring one face to and in whatever way helps us all to Edited by Hilda Gutiérrez Baldoquin face with the “pain of invisibility and realize our profound interconnected- Parallax Press, 2004 exclusion.” And face to face with the ness. Our lives depend on it.” years of deep conditioning we carry In this book Reverend Hilda with us, whether in the classroom, the Whether or not you consider yourself Gutiérrez Baldoquin, a Cuban-born market or the meditation hall. a person of color, you should read Soto Zen priest, offers us a rare this book. anthology of shared insights into the When Sala Steinbach writes in her Four Noble Truths written by “a com- brief and moving essay The Stories Reviewed by Rodney Johnson munity of Native American, African, I Live With, “When I came to Green African American, Asian, and Latina/o Gulch Farm Zen Center on Sundays heritage teachers, practitioners, and for a year and no one spoke to me, lovers of the dharma.” I wondered if maybe I wasn’t wanted,” I can’t help but recall my own initial In the foreword, Kamala Masters meditation retreat experiences in writes, “Siddharta Gautama, who California in the late 80s and early 90s became Shakyamuni Buddha, was a – being the only brother in the room. person of color living in the north of She continues, “Sitting in meditation India. In the centuries after his death, helped me acknowledge that painful the seeds of the Buddhadharma took thought. It also helped me see that root in the hearts of many people of that wasn’t all I was. I didn’t have to color as it migrated to Sri Lanka, hold on so tightly to the feeling of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, being unwanted. If that was all I was, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and and I knew it wasn’t, then maybe that

Vietnam. The dharma is coming wasn’t all there was to the people CHRISTINE PICHLKOSTNER

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 7 IMS Program Highlights

At the Forest Refuge... Bhante Bodhidhamma continued, “In In July, Patricia Genoud-Feldman my teaching I like to emphasize what I will teach together with Myoshin. During September and October perceive as pure insight. Vipassana is Patricia has been practicing vipassana this year, Bhante Bodhidhamma, strictly to do with seeing the three for over twenty years, with many an English monk, will be teaching at characteristics of all phenomena: periods of intensive meditation. She has the Forest Refuge along with impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and studied with Sayadaw U Pandita and Myoshin Kelley. Bhante’s meditation not-self. Once a person has attained other Burmese teachers, and she began in the Soto Zen tradition in the this level of understanding and can ordained as a nun for the six months late 1970s. He then was introduced begin to maintain it, not only does the of practice she undertook at the Forest to the Mahasi Theravada tradition, heart purify itself, but also there is a Refuge in 2003. Over the last two practicing many years with such turning around in the way we relate to decades, she has also received Tibetan prominent meditation masters as the world that is liberating. Like when Dzogchen teachings from the late med- Chanmyay Sayadaw, Sayadaws U one comes out of a stuffy, smoke-filled itation masters HH Dilgo Khyentse Rewata Dhamma, U Nyanaponika room. So my teaching sticks pretty Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. and U Pandita. He ordained as a close to the way I was taught by my Patricia teaches vipassana in Europe, monk in 1986 and went on to spend Mahasi teachers.” Israel and the United States. “When eight years living and practicing at I teach, I like to emphasize a natural Kanduboda Mahasi Meditation Center When asked about the benefits of awareness,” she explains. “This encour- in Sri Lanka. long-term practice, Bhante said, ages us to deepen our sensitivity and “The deeper spiritual benefit I see in to respect our own unfolding of the He returned to the UK in 1978 where virtually everyone who does long-term meditative process.” he began teaching. For the past four practice is that with insight into the years he has been teacher-in-residence three characteristics comes meaning For the month of August, we are at Gaia House in Devon, England. and purpose to life. Because of greater fortunate to have Sayadaw U Lakkhana, During this time he and some friends understanding, decisions are wiser. a Burmese meditation master teaching established the Satipanya Buddhist The benefit is a more fruitful life.” here with Steven Smith. Sayadaw will Trust, a registered charity, whose goal offer classical Burmese Theravada is to create a Mahasi meditation center teachings, complemented by Steve’s in the U.K. (Visit www.satipanya.org.uk contemporary interpretations and for more information.) understandings. This fusion of East and West provides a unique door Bhante brings a wealth of experience for practitioners to enter this ancient to his role as meditation teacher, both practice lineage. as a practitioner and from many years of guiding others. When asked what In November, Sharda Rogell will join inspired him in his own practice, he Myoshin. Sharda, who is a member of replied, “The main accent of my early the Spirit Rock Teacher Council, lives practice was to crack this conundrum in Marin County. “In my teaching I of unsatisfactoriness, dukkha. My own guide people towards awakening the psychology also fascinated me and still qualities of the heart – these qualities does! Later, I became more interested being the expression of our deepest in how the self manifests.” Bhante Bodhidhamma nature. I support yogis to develop a

Page 8 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005 INSIGHT

caring, compassionate relationship At the Retreat Center... The Next Generation: towards all that arises in their experi- Attending the Retreat ence, and a willingness to look directly Two Retreat Center courses this for 18-32 Year-Olds at what’s true in each moment. This is year will offer yoga instruction By Sumi Loundon the key for liberating insights to arise.” to complement vipassana practice. Steven Smith and others will help us Since my teens, I’ve sat a few retreats Then in December, Myoshin will be cultivate a deepening awareness in a at IMS. Almost always, I was the teaching with Yanai Postelnik. Yanai, vipassana and yoga course, May 20- youngest by at least thirty years. a former IMS resident teacher, is origi- 29. Larry Rosenberg and his team Age difference didn’t bother me much. nally from New Zealand and now lives will teach a vipassana and Viniyoga These elders were inspiring and in Devon, England where he is a mem- course with an emphasis on mindful delighted in having a young ber of the Gaia House Teacher Council. breathing, June 24-July 1. person around. Yanai has taught extensively in Europe and more recently at IMS. For the third successive year we When I saw that IMS was offering a will hold our People of Color retreat specifically for 18-32 year-olds, “In my practice and teaching, I empha- Retreat, July 29-August 3. This time, I thought, “Why should age make a size learning to rest in the immediacy of however, it will take place here in difference? But look, it’s being offered awareness. I find it extremely helpful to Barre, rather than at another facility. on a donation basis. And since I have explore and inquire via the body, attun- Together with New York Insight, vacation days in August, what better ing to the physical and energetic experi- we are looking forward to sponsoring way to find some peace of mind than ence, as a primary avenue of accessing this course, which will again stepping back from the rush of my life? wholesome qualities and working with be taught by Joseph Goldstein, Maybe I’ll even taste nirvana.” afflictive mind-states or emotions. Gina Sharpe, Rachel Bagby and I have a deep trust in the intelligence of Russell Brown. As young people piled in for registra- life and our basic goodness of heart, and tion, I felt buoyant. My English see practice as essentially reawakening Please check our website regarding changed, became less formal. Instead the wisdom and compassion that is transport information for the People of listening to older yogis talk about already within us.” of Color Retreat. parenting and retirement plans, I found myself in conversation about travel to Susan O’Brien will teach a Weekend Asia, college stress, relating to parents for New Students, August 5-7. This — things that were going on in my life retreat is designed for practitioners as a young adult. It was refreshing to who have never attended a vipassana discuss big life questions in the context retreat as well as those who are brand of meditation and Buddhist teachings. new to vipassana meditation. The retreat soon entered into silence. I had a preconception that young people these days were not serious about meditation. My generation is sometimes told how we don’t under- stand hard work, overcoming adversity and taking responsibility. In the first few sits, though, hardly anyone near me flinched. “Holy!”

T I thought. “These are no debutantes doing meditation simply because

LOU ALBER it’s trendy!”

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 9 New York Insight

New York Insight (NYI) was Everyone’s sincere engagement founded as a nonprofit center with walking, eating and sitting meditation endured for the retreat. for the practice of mindful ELSA WILKENS awareness (vipassana or insight I felt inspired by the teenagers and meditation). NYI provides a early twenty-somethings, who had place where all are welcome to a bright, light energy. The older ones among us, many who’d sat previous begin or deepen meditation retreats, stabilized and held the practice based on the liberation energy of the group. teachings of the Buddha. Programs include evenings with This retreat incorporated afternoon renowned meditation teachers, Qigong, which we did on the lawn ongoing classes, daylong in the warm sun. The exercises retreats and weekend courses loosened us up, revitalizing the body. for the integration of meditation We also had discussion groups with teachings in daily life. the teachers, Marvin and Rebecca. The events, except where noted, They thought the group might be too Born in 1975, Sumi Loundon spent eight are suitable for beginning as serious, so during their evening years growing up in a Soto Zen community well as experienced meditators. dharma talks they deliberately in rural New Hampshire. She is the editor of NYI welcomes the participation cracked us up with hilarious stories. the anthology Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of all interested people. of Young Buddhists (Wisdom, 2001). In the closing circle, everyone Her second book on young Buddhists will be NYI has recently opened its commented how surprisingly published later this year (also by Wisdom new center in central Chelsea. different it was to sit with peers. Publications). For the last thirteen years, Spacious, filled with light and We respected our elders, many of she has been a student of the Theravada peaceful, it is located at whom have been dharma mentors, vipassana lineage at IMS. Today, Sumi is 28 W 27th St, 10th Floor but it also felt supportive to find like- the Assistant Director at the Barre Center (between 6th Ave & Broadway), minded, committed spiritual seekers for Buddhist Studies. New York, NY 10001. in our own generation. By the end Please check our website of the retreat, I knew I had to sign www.nyimc.org for event up for the next one, and I’m happy descriptions and registration to see it’s been extended into a full information, or call six days. I hope you’ll come. (212) 213-4802.

Michele McDonald, Rebecca Bradshaw and Marvin Belzer will lead another Vipassana Retreat for Ages 18-32. The course – from August 22-28 – will focus on meeting the challenges of early adulthood with greater love, courage and openness. VIS RALPH DA

Page 10 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005

About IMS

Insight Meditation Society RETREAT CENTER FOREST REFUGE 1230 Pleasant St., Barre, (978) 355-4378; [email protected] (978) 355-2063; [email protected] MA 01005, USA Office hours: daily, 10am-12 noon & 3-5pm Fax: (978) 355-4307 www.dharma.org (except Sun. & Tues.) Office hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am-4pm

The Insight Meditation Society was General Information Meals are vegetarian. Accommodations founded in 1975 as a nonprofit organi- Retreat Center courses are designed for at the Retreat Center are simple single zation to uphold the possibility of libera- both new and experienced meditators. and double rooms; all spaces at the tion for all beings. Its Buddhist medita- Instruction in meditation and evening Forest Refuge are single. Men and tion retreats provide spiritual refuge, talks about the Buddha’s teachings are women do not share rooms. Camping allowing the in-depth exploration of given daily. Individual or group inter- is not available. freedom from the sufferings of mind views with the teachers take place at and heart. regular intervals. Silence is maintained in Evening Discourses most retreats at all times, except during When a Retreat Center course is in IMS operates two retreat facilities question and interview periods. A typical progress, anyone is welcome to attend – the Retreat Center and the Forest daily schedule starts at 5 am and ends at the evening dharma talks; meditators Refuge, which are set on some 200 10 pm. The entire day is spent in silent with vipassana experience are also secluded wooded acres in the quiet practice comprising alternate periods of welcome to attend group sittings. country of central Massachusetts. sitting and walking meditation, as well as Some restrictions apply. Please call a one-hour work period. the Retreat Center office for a The Retreat Center, which commenced daily schedule. a program of silent courses in 1976, At the Forest Refuge, retreats are based offers a full yearly schedule of medita- either on one’s own schedule, a wish to Self-Retreat tion retreats lasting in duration from a work with a particular teacher (see the If you have participated in a course at weekend to several weeks. Most courses Teacher Schedule on page 15), and avail- the Retreat Center, you may schedule run for 7-9 days. A group of senior ability. In consultation with the teachers, an individual self-retreat between teachers provides regular guidance and a personalized program of meditation courses. The length of stay may not direction as well as teaching a number practice is created, designed to nurture exceed the longest period of teacher- of retreats each year themselves. the highest aspiration for liberation. led retreat that you have done at In addition, recognized insight medita- the center. tion teachers from all over the world Support for a personal retreat includes come to offer teachings. two individual interviews with a teacher During this time, you are expected each week and twice-weekly dharma to meditate in silence, observe the five The Forest Refuge opened in May talks in the meditation hall. Tapes are also precepts and maintain a continuity 2003. For experienced vipassana available on evenings without talks. of practice. The sliding scale fee is $48- meditators, its calm and peaceful $63 per day, depending on your means. environment establishes the sense of For those interested in practicing at the For self-retreats of up to six days harmony most conducive to sustained, Forest Refuge, there is an application immediately before or after a specific long-term personal retreat. Retreatants process. Guidelines and an application group course, you can put the dates can practice for periods ranging from form are available from the office or on your registration form. For self- two weeks to stays of a year or more. can be downloaded from our website. retreats of longer than six days, please You may also apply online. call the office for an application form.

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 11 INSIGHT

Work Retreats Fees advance of the retreat start date. Work retreats provide an opportunity Fees for 2005 are on a sliding scale Funds may not be available if submit- to explore the integration of mindful- basis. At the Retreat Center, there ted after this date. (For the Three- ness practice with work. The daily are four rates – Sponsor, Mid, Low Month Retreat, we need to receive schedule combines periods of formal and Scholarship. The Forest Refuge your application by June 1, 2005.) meditation and instruction with five has three rates – Sponsor, Mid and hours of work – in silence – in either Low. Some scholarship support is For the Forest Refuge, complete the the Kitchen or Housekeeping available. retreat application and indicate inter- department. est in receiving scholarship informa- If you can afford the Sponsor level or tion. A scholarship form will be sent Participation is limited to experienced higher, you help make it possible for to you, if your retreat application meditators and requires a high degree others with lesser means to attend. is approved. of self-reliance. Since the work can be physically demanding, a moderate At the Retreat Center, registration at Dana level of physical fitness is required. the Mid and Low rates goes toward At IMS, the teachings are offered room, board and some administrative according to the principle of dana, At the Retreat Center, the timing of expenses only. Forest Refuge fees at (the Pali word for generosity, giving work retreats usually corresponds with these rates also include an honorarium or gift). Dana is central to the 2,600- the schedule of teacher-led courses. for the teachers. year-old tradition of Buddhism. At the Forest Refuge, a one-month In the days of the Buddha, the teach- commitment is ideal. Any amount paid above the Low rate ings were considered priceless and so is a tax-deductible donation. were offered freely. Early dharma A special application needs to be sub- teachers received no payment for their mitted; the cost is a $25 nonrefundable Scholarships instruction. Instead, the lay community, processing fee. Information and appli- Our Scholarship funds assist those through voluntary generosity, cation forms are available online at who are genuinely unable to afford the provided monks and nuns with food, www.dharma.org/ims/jobs, or for a cost of a retreat. Each request is care- clothing, shelter and medicine. work retreat at the Retreat Center, fully assessed in terms of financial please contact the Human Resources need, previous history and funds avail- Dana is not only a practical matter; Coordinator by calling (978) 355- able. Due to limited resources, we it also plays a crucial role in the 4378, ext. 23 or emailing hrc@dhar- cannot guarantee that every applica- spiritual life of a dharma practitioner. ma.org. For the Forest Refuge, call tion will result in a scholarship award. Generosity is the first of the ten (978) 355-2063 or email Please be assured, however, that we paramis, or qualities of character, to be [email protected]. will do our best to help you attend a perfected in spiritual life. The very act retreat with us. of giving benefits the person who gives, for it opens the heart and serves You can apply online for a scholarship the well-being of others. Simply offer- at the Retreat Center, or complete ing a small favor, a kind thought, a the registration form on page 22 meal, or a flower may be a sincere and include the appropriate deposit. form of spiritual practice. Check the relevant boxes regarding scholarship. Forms can be also down- Since all fees cover less than 60% of loaded from our website or requested our operating costs, we rely on your from the office. generous support. An opportunity to offer donations to the teachers, to the Please submit your scholarship staff, and to the operation of IMS is

CHRISTINE PICHLKOSTNER application at least six (6) weeks in provided at each retreat.

Page 12 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005

INSIGHT

Media Visits As the dharma takes root in our In keeping with this tradition, we welcome society, various media are expressing your donation to cover the costs of IMS interest in the work that we do at IMS. Meal Dana meals – you have the choice of funding This presents our community with a (Generosity) an individual meal or group of meals, at valuable opportunity to introduce the both our programs, or just at one, as teachings to a wider audience. outlined below:

While maintaining our primary The tradition of Retreat Forest IMS Center Refuge commitment to supporting practice, donating meals to Breakfast $120 $80 $40 IMS may agree occasionally to Lunch $180 $115 $65 requests from media to visit IMS for spiritual practitioners Tea $50 $35 $15 reporting. Before any such request is Entire Day $350 $230 $120 granted, the journalists will be careful- has flourished ly screened to assure as best we can, in Asia since their ability to report fairly on our If you, or your group of friends and work with minimal interference. the time of fellow practitioners would like to offer Meal Dana, we will acknowledge your Notice of any media visit that occurs the Buddha. gift – if you wish – by inscribing your during a course will be given. We will name(s) on the menu board for a advise retreatants as far in advance as particular day or meal. is practically possible. We will respect the wishes of any yogi who prefers not The date chosen for this often celebrates to be included and work to minimize a birthday, honors someone who has died any impact on our meditative environ- or commemorates another of life’s many ment and on yogis. We appreciate milestones. If you do not specify a date, your understanding of our efforts to we can advise you in advance when your share the dharma in this way and donation will be used, allowing you to welcome any suggestions or questions take joy in knowing when you are you may have. encouraging the practice and service of the meditators, teachers and staff.

To receive additional information or to request that a Meal Dana form be sent to you, please contact the IMS Kitchen Manager – call (978) 355-4378, ext. 14 or email [email protected]. If you prefer to make your donation online, visit www.dharma.org and click on Ways to Support IMS.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated. ÉOWYN AHLSTROM LIBBY VIGEON

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 13 IMS Core Faculty

Ajahn Amaro began his training in Thailand in 1978 with Ajahn Chah. Steven Smith has practiced in the Mahasi Sayadaw lineage for Patricia Genoud-Feldman has been practicing Buddhist meditation He was a senior monk at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England, over 30 years. He is a cofounder of Vipassana Hawai’i and the Hawai’i (vipassana and Dzogchen) in Asia and the West since 1984 and teach- and now resides at Abhayagiri in Redwood Valley, CA, a branch Insight Meditation Center. He also founded the MettaDana Project, ing vipassana internationally since 1997. She is co-founder of the monastery in the forest meditation tradition. bringing health and education support to remote areas, monasteries Meditation Center Vimalakirti in Geneva, Switzerland. and nunneries in Burma. Guy Armstrong has practiced insight meditation for over 20 years. Trudy Goodman has studied Zen and vipassana since 1974. His training includes practice as a Buddhist monk in Thailand with Ajahn Ajahn Sucitto was ordained in Thailand in 1976. He has been closely She is a co-founder and guiding teacher of the Institute for Buddhadasa and in Burma with Pa Auk Sayadaw. He began teaching in associated with Ajahn Sumedho for the last 26 years, and is currently Meditation and Psychotherapy. Teaching nationwide, she recently 1984 and has led retreats in the US, Europe and Australia. abbot of Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery in Chithurst, England. He has founded Insight LA and a family program Growing Spirit in LA. taught at IMS since 1989. Steve Armstrong has practiced mindfulness since 1975, and has led Bhante Gunaratana has been a Buddhist monk for over 50 years, vipassana and metta retreats grounded in the Buddha’s understanding Carol Wilson has been practicing meditation since 1971. She has and is the founder of Bhavana Society in rural West Virginia. He is the of mind since 1990. A co-founding director and guiding teacher of studied with a variety of teachers, including practice as a Buddhist nun author of a number of books, including Mindfulness in Plain English Ho’omalamalama, a Dhamma sanctuary and hermitage on Maui, he in Thailand. She has been teaching retreats, including the 3-month and his autobiography Journey to Mindfulness. offers the Dhamma internationally. course, at IMS and around the world since 1986. Ed Hauben is a long-term vipassana meditation practitioner and Ruth Denison studied in Burma in the early 1960s with the medita- friend of IMS. He has served on the IMS board and has assisted with tion master Sayagi U Ba Khin. She has been teaching since 1973 and the Family and Teen retreats for the past 25 years. is founder of Dhamma Dena, a desert retreat center in Joshua Tree, CA, Visiting Faculty and The Center for Buddhism in the West in Germany. Sarah Hegarty, originally from Ireland, has spent the last five years traveling to teach and study yoga internationally. Her focus is to com- Sarah Doering has practiced vipassana meditation since 1981. plement vipassana practice by bringing awareness to the breath, quiet She has taught at both CIMC and the IMS Retreat Center, and is Fred von Allmen has studied and practiced under Tibetan and to the mind and balance to the body’s energy. currently a member of the Forest Refuge Teacher Council. Theravada teachers since 1970 in Asia, Europe and the US. He has taught retreats worldwide for 20 years. The author of several Buddhist Catherine McGee has practiced insight meditation under the guid- Christina Feldman is a co-founder of Gaia House in England and an books in German, he is also the co-founder of the Meditation Center ance of senior Dharma teachers in Asia and the West. She has been IMS senior teacher. Following training in the Theravada and Mahayana Beatenberg in the Swiss Alps. teaching since 1997 both at Gaia House and internationally. She is Buddhist traditions, she has been teaching meditation since 1976 and also a student of the Diamond Approach of A.H. Almaas. has an ongoing commitment to the long-term retreat program at Gaia Rachel Bagby, a long-time meditator, is a vocal artist, composer, House. Her books include Woman Awake! and more recently Silence activist and poet. She is the author of Divine Daughters: Liberating the Franz Moeckl has practiced vipassana since 1985, both in the West and The Buddhist Path to Simplicity. Power and Passion of Women’s Voices. and as a monk in the East. He has studied and practiced Tai Chi and Qigong for 25 years and now teaches in the US, Europe and Asia. Joseph Goldstein is a co-founder and guiding teacher of IMS’s Marvin Belzer has practiced vipassana since 1982, studying primarily Retreat Center and Forest Refuge programs. He has been teaching with Sayadaw U Pandita since 1986. He teaches philosophy at Bowling Phillip Moffitt began studying vipassana meditation in 1983 and vipassana and metta retreats worldwide since 1974 and in 1989 helped Green University. is a member of the Spirit Rock Teacher Council. He writes the Dharma establish BCBS. He is the author of One Dharma, The Experience of Wisdom column for Yoga Journal, is the co-author of The Power to Insight and Insight Meditation. Bhante Bodhidhamma is the teacher-in-residence at Gaia House in Heal and the founder of the Life Balance Institute. England. Since 1978, he has practiced in the Zen and Theravada tradi- Myoshin Kelley has been practicing meditation since 1975, working tions. In l986 he ordained, subsequently spending eight years at a Annie Nugent has practiced in the Theravada and Tibetan traditions with a number of teachers in various traditions. Her own teaching reflects monastery in Sri Lanka, returning to the UK to teach in 1998. since 1979. She was an IMS resident teacher from 1999-2003. a strong influence from Burmese masters with an emphasis on simplicity Her teaching style aims to reveal how our lives are opportunities for and lovingkindness. She currently teaches at the Forest Refuge. Rebecca Bradshaw has been practicing vipassana meditation since a clear understanding of the Truth. 1983 and teaching since 1993. She is a guiding teacher of the Insight Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in Asia. He is a co-founder Meditation Center of Northampton, MA and works as a Spanish- Susan O’Brien has been practicing vipassana meditation since of IMS and Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and has taught meditation speaking psychotherapist. 1980 and has studied with a variety of Asian and western teachers. internationally since 1974. He is the author of a number of books, She began teaching in 1996 and coordinates the Insight Meditation including A Path with Heart and After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. Russell Brown, a long-time meditator in the Theravada and correspondence course. Vajrayana traditions, has been a practicing psychiatrist for 23 years. Michael Liebenson Grady has been practicing vipassana since 1973. Since 1998, he has worked primarily in correctional facilities in NM. Douglas Phillips has trained in Buddhist meditation since 1978, He is a guiding teacher at CIMC. and currently teaches vipassana in the New England area. He is also Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of the Insight Meditation a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Newton, MA. Narayan Liebenson Grady is a guiding teacher at CIMC where she Community of San Francisco. He is a Spirit Rock teacher and leads has taught since 1985. She is the author of When Singing, Just Sing: retreats internationally. He is also a teacher of the Diamond Approach Yanai Postelnik has practiced and studied insight meditation in Asia Life As Meditation. with A.H. Almaas. and the West and has been teaching worldwide since 1992. He was IMS resident teacher 1995-96. Originally from New Zealand, he lives Kamala Masters began practicing in 1975. Under the guidance of Pat Coffey has practiced and studied meditation for over 25 years. in Devon, England and is a member of the Gaia House Teacher Anagarika Munindra and Sayadaw U Pandita she has been trained in He is an IMS Board Member and a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Council. vipassana and metta meditations. She is co-founder of the Vipassana Dharma Leaders program. Residing in Charlottesville, VA, he leads Metta Foundation on Maui and is currently developing several sitting groups in the area and teaches retreats in Eastern states. Sharda Rogell has been teaching in the Theravada tradition world- Ho’omalamalama, a sanctuary-hermitage for long-term practice. wide since 1985, bringing a strong emphasis to awakening heartful- Mark Coleman has been teaching vipassana retreats since 1997, ness. She is on the Teacher Council at Spirit Rock, and a student of Michele McDonald has practiced vipassana meditation since 1975 following extensive training over the last 20 years in several Buddhist A.H. Almaas’ Diamond Approach. and has been teaching at IMS and worldwide since 1982. She has a traditions. He also leads Wilderness Meditation courses on the West deep interest in preserving the ancient teachings and in finding ways of coast and has a private practice in counseling. Marcia Rose has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1970. She is expression that make them more accessible and authentic in our time. co-founder and the guiding teacher in Taos, NM of The Mountain Sally Clough began practicing vipassana meditation in India in 1981. Hermitage and Taos Mountain Sangha. She was IMS resident teacher Larry Rosenberg practiced Zen in Korea and Japan before coming to Since moving to the Bay Area in 1988, she has served at Spirit Rock in from 1991-95 and currently teaches in the US and internationally. vipassana. He is a guiding teacher of CIMC and the author of Living in a number of roles. She began teaching in 1996, and is one of the the Light of Death and Breath By Breath. guiding teachers of Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioner Program. Gina Sharpe has studied and practiced Buddhism for over 30 years, across several traditions. She is a graduate of the first Spirit Rock Sharon Salzberg, a co-founder of IMS and BCBS, has practiced Matthew Daniell has been practicing Buddhist meditation (vipassana Community Dharma Leaders Program, and a co-founder of New York Buddhist meditation since 1971 and has been teaching worldwide and Zen) and yoga since 1984. He teaches ‘mindfulness yoga’, Insight. She has taught meditation since 1994. since 1974. She is a guiding teacher of IMS and author of Faith, primarily based on the Viniyoga tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar, and also Lovingkindness and A Heart As Wide As the World. holds teaching certificates in the Kripalu and Sivananda lineages. Woods Shoemaker has been practicing Zen and vipassana since 1974, and currently teaches vipassana meditation. Rodney Smith has been teaching insight meditation since 1984. He is Chas DiCapua has practiced Zen and vipassana since 1989 and is a former Buddhist monk and worked in hospice care for 16 years. He is currently an IMS Resident Teacher. He has worked with youth and Tempel Smith has practiced vipassana meditation since 1989 includ- the author of Lessons From the Dying and is currently the founding and meditation since 1998 and has a particular interest in combining ing a year ordained in Burma. He works for the Buddhist Peace guiding teacher for the Seattle Insight Meditation Society. meditation with outdoor wilderness experiences. Fellowship and is the co-founder of BASE House in San Francisco.

Page 14 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005

2005-06 Forest Refuge Teaching Schedule

Application Information 2005

For those interested in practicing May 1 - May 7 Joseph Goldstein & Annie Nugent at the Forest Refuge, there is an May 8 - May 14 Annie Nugent application process. Guidelines and an application form are May 15 - Jun 30 Sayadaw U Pandita available from our office or can be downloaded from Jul 1 - Jul 31 Patricia Genoud-Feldman & Myoshin Kelley www.dharma.org. Aug 1 - Aug 31 Sayadaw U Lakkhana & Steven Smith

If there is no accommodation Sep 1 - Oct 31 Bhante Bodhidhamma & Myoshin Kelley available at the time you wish to come, we encourage you to keep Nov 1 - Nov 30 Sharda Rogell & Myoshin Kelley your application in process. You may like to change your Dec 1 - Dec 31 Yanai Postelnik & Myoshin Kelley dates, or we can put you on a 2006 waitlist, if your application is approved. There are often Jan 1 - Jan 31 Marcia Rose & Annie Nugent cancellations from those already confirmed, and spaces open up. Feb 1 - Feb 14 Myoshin Kelley & Annie Nugent You can also check our website Feb 15 - Mar 31 Joseph Goldstein & Myoshin Kelley (click on IMS, and then the Forest Refuge) where we post Apr 1 - Apr 30 Myoshin Kelley & Patricia Genoud-Feldman updates about space availability.

May 1 - Jun 30 Pa’Auk Sayadaw T Please read pages 11-13 for general IMS retreat and Jul 1 - Jul 31 Carol Wilson & Myoshin Kelley LOU ALBER payment information. Joseph Goldstein is the Forest Refuge Guiding Teacher. Fees for 2005 are outlined The teaching schedule may change without notice. It is our intention in the box to the right. Payment that retreatants will have the opportunity to practice with a variety is due, once your application of experienced and well qualified vipassana teachers. has been approved, and is accepted online, by mail, phone or in person. Please make your LENGTH OF STAY SLIDING SCALE FEES check or money order payable High Mid Low to IMS, or include Visa or Two weeks $980 $910 $840 MasterCard information. First month (30 days) $1,800 $1,650 $1,500 Second month (31-60 days) $1,740 $1,590 $1,440 For scholarship information Third month (61-90 days) $1,650 $1,500 $1,350 please see page 12. Long-term daily rate (after 90 days) $35 $30 $25

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 15

2005 Retreat Center Schedule

Dates Length Course Title Teachers

Jan 28-Feb 4 7 days Metta Retreat Sharon Salzberg, Susan O’Brien & Mark Coleman Feb 4-Feb 13 9 days Vipassana Retreat Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Susan O’Brien & Mark Coleman Jan 28-Feb 13 16 days Metta & Vipassana Retreat As above Feb 18-Feb 22 4 days Men’s Retreat Joseph Goldstein, Phillip Moffitt & Pat Coffey Feb 26-Mar 5 7 days Vipassana Retreat Larry Rosenberg & Michael Liebenson Grady Mar 13-Mar 20 7 days Women’s Retreat Christina Feldman & Narayan Liebenson Grady Mar 25-Apr 3 9 days Vipassana Retreat Carol Wilson, Guy Armstrong & Rodney Smith Apr 15-Apr 17 2 days A Weekend for New Students Narayan & Michael Liebenson Grady Apr 22-May 1 9 days Monastic Retreat Ajahn Sucitto & Others May 6-May 15 9 days Vipassana Retreat Yanai Postelnik, Sharda Rogell & Eugene Cash Awakening the Heart May 20-May 29 9 days Vipassana & Yoga Retreat Steven Smith & Susan O’Brien with Sarah Hegarty (Yoga) Jun 3-Jun 10 7 days Metta Retreat Michele McDonald, Steven Smith, Rebecca Bradshaw & Patricia Genoud-Feldman with Franz Moeckl (Qigong) Jun 10-Jun 19 9 days Vipassana Retreat Michele McDonald, Steven Smith, Susan O’Brien & Patricia Genoud-Feldman with Franz Moeckl (Qigong) Jun 3-Jun 19 16 days Metta & Vipassana Retreat As above Jun 24-Jul 1 7 days Vipassana & Viniyoga Retreat Larry Rosenberg with Woods Shoemaker, Doug Phillips & Matthew Daniell Jul 2-Jul 6 4 days Teen Retreat Rebecca Bradshaw with Ed Hauben, Tempel Smith & Chas DiCapua Jul 9-Jul 17 8 days Insight Meditation Retreat Christina Feldman, Fred von Allmen & Yanai Postelnik Jul 22-Jul 27 5 days Family Retreat Yanai Postelnik, Trudy Goodman & Catherine McGee F

Jul 29-Aug 3 5 days People of Color Retreat* Joseph Goldstein, Gina Sharpe, Rachel Bagby & Russell Brown Aug 5-Aug 7 2 days A Weekend for New Students Susan O’Brien & Others Aug 12-Aug 21 9 days Vipassana Retreat Narayan & Michael Liebenson Grady Aug 22-Aug 28 6 days Vipassana Retreat for Ages 18-32 Michele McDonald, Rebecca Bradshaw & Marvin Belzer Sep 2-Sep 5 3 days Labor Day Weekend Ruth Denison Sep 5-Sep 11 6 days Vipassana Retreat Sep 2-Sep 11 9 days Vipassana Retreat Sep 16-Sep 18 2 days Dana Weekend Bhante Gunaratana Sep 23-Dec 16 84 days Three-Month Retreat Joseph Goldstein Sep 23-Nov 4 42 days Part 1 Steven Smith, Michele McDonald, Rebecca Bradshaw & Patricia Genoud-Feldman Nov 4-Dec 16 42 days Part 2 Steve Armstrong, Kamala Masters, Guy Armstrong & Sally Clough Dec 28-Jan 6, 2006 9 days New Year’s Retreat Rodney Smith, Yanai Postelnik & Others

Please see the following pages for retreat descriptions and registration information. t If you would like to pay for your retreat at the scholarship rate, please refer to page 12 for application information. * Thanks to a generous donation, we can offer reduced rates for the People of Color Retreat. No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds. Co-sponsored by IMS and New York Insight.

Page 16 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005

Code Deposit Sliding Scale Fees Sponsor Mid Low Scholarshipt SS $175 $455 $405 $350 $210 JS $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 SJ3 $175 $1,040 $920 $800 $480 MEN $125 $300 $270 $240 $120 LR1 $175 $455 $405 $350 $210 WOM $175 $455 $405 $350 $210 CW $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 NSW $100 $180 $165 $150 $60 MR Donation $585 $520 Donation Donation AH $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 Support the Scholarship STS $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 Fund SM1 $175 $455 $405 $350 $210 IMS is committed to offering SM2 $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 scholarship assistance to those who cannot afford the entire cost of a meditation retreat. SM3 $175 $1,040 $920 $800 $480 Your generous contributions LR2 $175 $455 $405 $350 $210 provide funding for many TR $240 $300 $270 $240 $120 individuals seeking to participate in our programs. CF $175 $520 $460 $400 $240 FAM Adult: $175 $450 $410 $375 $150 Help someone else to sit. Child: $240 $200 $165 $150 You may designate that your donation be directed to one POC Donation $350 $275 Donation Donation or more of the following NSW2 $100 $180 $165 $150 $60 specialized scholarship areas: NLG $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 General, People of Color, Youth MM Donation $390 $345 Donation Donation Outreach (for those aged 18-25), Danic (for those in pain), RD1 $125 $240 $220 $195 $90 Ryan (for teens), the Forest RD2 $175 $390 $345 $300 $180 Refuge or the Retreat Center. RD3 $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 Contributions can be sent to: DANA Donation IMS 3MO $750 $5,040 $4,410 $3,780 $2,520 Attn: Donations PT1 $375 $2,520 $2,205 $1,890 $1,260 1230 Pleasant St. PT2 $375 $2,520 $2,205 $1,890 $1,260 Barre, MA 01005, USA To donate online, visit our website NY $175 $585 $520 $450 $270 www.dharma.org and click on Ways to Support IMS

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 17

ÉOWYN AHLSTROM

A Weekend for New Students This weekend is designed for practi- tioners who have never attended a vipassana retreat as well as those who are brand new to vipassana medi- tation. A continuity of mindfulness will be emphasized in a supportive and silent atmosphere. Sitting and walking periods will be shorter than the standard retreat format at IMS and the schedule will also include talks Retreat Center enrich compassion, joy in the happiness and periods of discussion. Course Descriptions of others and equanimity. These prac- tices lead to the development of concen- Monastic Retreat Vipassana tration, fearlessness, happiness and a Western nuns and monks from the Insight Meditation (vipassana in Pali, greater ability to love. Thai Buddhist monastic tradition teach the language of the original Buddhist a vipassana retreat each year at the teachings) is the simple and direct prac- Men’s Retreat center. The 2005 course will focus on tice of moment-to-moment mindfulness. For over 2,500 years men have come mindfulness of breathing. Retreatants Through careful and sustained observa- together to practice the Buddha’s will be asked to observe the eight tion, we experience for ourselves the teachings. As a way of continuing this monastic precepts (which include ever-changing flow of the mind/body tradition, IMS offers a vipassana course abstaining from eating after noon each process. This awareness leads us to for men, complementing the long-estab- day) and to participate fully in the accept more fully the pleasure and pain, lished Women’s Retreat. The traditional daily routine of sitting, standing and fear and joy, sadness and happiness that format of sitting and walking meditation, walking meditation. Each day, group life inevitably brings. As insight deep- group interviews and evening dharma practice will begin with an offering of ens, we develop greater equanimity and talks helps foster a powerful and sup- flowers, light (in the form of candles) peace in the face of change, and wisdom portive sense of community. This retreat and fragrance (incense), as well as and compassion increasingly become the is designed to strengthen the practice of chanting to the Triple Gem. guiding principles of our lives. men experienced in meditation and be an introduction for those new to the Awakening the Heart – The Buddha first taught vipassana over practice. Beginners are welcome. A Vipassana Retreat 2,500 years ago. The various methods of The Buddha’s path of awareness and this practice have been well preserved in Women’s Retreat freedom is an invitation to discover the Theravada tradition of Buddhism, In the classical context of silence and inner peace and a compassionate heart and the retreats at IMS are all rooted sustained meditation practice, women in the very midst of our human reality. in this ancient and well-mapped path have gathered together on this annual In this retreat we will cultivate a mind- to awakening. retreat for more than twenty years, ful presence which embraces life and creating a powerful sense of community enables us to see things as they are. Metta in which our capacity for deepening in We will emphasize embodiment and Metta is the Pali word for friendship wisdom and compassion is supported. acceptance as the basis for genuine or lovingkindness. It is taught as a medi- There are daily talks, instructions, intimacy with our direct experience. tation that cultivates our natural capaci- lovingkindness practice and meetings The practice of meditation in sitting, ty for an open and loving heart. With its with the teachers. Over the decades, standing, walking and lying postures roots in practices said to be taught by this course has played a seminal role in will be supported by dharma talks, the Buddha himself, metta is traditionally honoring the long tradition of women instructions, lovingkindness practice offered along with meditations that in the meditative life. and regular meetings with the teachers.

Page 18 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005 INSIGHT

Vipassana & Yoga Retreat value their natural spirituality within a You MUST specify name, full date The teachings throughout this course supportive environment. Extensive of birth and gender of all children are based on those of the eminent supervision is provided. on your registration. Burmese nun Daw Yazana and the Mahasi meditation masters Sayadaw Though Michele McDonald will not People of Color Retreat U Pandita and the late Shwe Oo Min be present during this retreat, she is the This retreat, co-sponsored by IMS Sayadaw. They will focus on the culti- supervising senior teacher and her valu- and New York Insight provides an in- vation of a relaxed and open awareness able input will help guide the program. depth experience of insight meditation, of awareness itself. Twice-daily option- fostering support and understanding al yoga sessions will be offered to Insight Meditation Retreat among people of color who find ground and energize the body and Insight meditation is a path of nourishment and inspiration in this mind, complementing and integrating awakening, and a retreat is an invita- practice. It is also an introduction to the deepening mindfulness and insight. tion to nurture our capacity for the the Buddha’s teachings on mindful vastness of heart and mind that is awareness for those without previous Whether experienced or new to possible for each of us. Attending to meditation experience. Beginners are either vipassana or yoga, everyone is our body, mind, heart and each unique encouraged to attend. welcome. Please bring a yoga mat. moment with a mindful and compas- sionate attention, we walk an ancient Thanks to a generous donation, we can Vipassana & Viniyoga Retreat path that leads to the end of sorrow offer reduced rates for this course (see The particular form of vipassana and the emergence of joy, serenity and page 16). No one will be turned away meditation emphasized during this freedom. Daily instructions, dharma due to lack of funds; we will accept retreat is Anapana Sati, where talks, lovingkindness meditations as whatever you can afford to contribute. conscious breathing is used to develop well as regular meetings with the both calm and liberating insight. teachers are offered during the course. Vipassana Retreat Viniyoga in the tradition of TKV for Ages 18-32 Desikachar is a form of training that Family Retreat This retreat specifically addresses the emphasizes the coordination of mindful This course is an invitation to honor practice needs of new and experienced breathing with all bodily movement, and nurture the spirituality of family meditators in the challenging years of making the breath sensations more life. Through formal meditation prac- early adulthood. The format includes vivid and in general preparing the tice, discussions, family meditations daily meditation instruction, group and body for extended periods of sitting and dharma teachings, we will explore individual interviews as well as oppor- meditation. The yogic postures will what it means to realize a deep wisdom tunities for questions and discussion. emphasize mindfulness, so that this and compassion that is not separate training is fully compatible with vipas- from our lives and relationships, and sana meditation practice. There will be yet not bound by them. two optional periods of viniyoga each day. Individual needs will be honored; A dharma program for children over beginners to vipassana and yoga are 2 years old is included; it is staffed welcome. Please bring a yoga mat. by volunteers who coordinate age- appropriate activities. A parent or Teen Retreat friend needs to stay with any child This retreat is specifically for teens under 2 years old at all times. aged 14-19. It offers beginning medita- tion instruction, half-hour sitting and Each family unit pays an additional walking periods, discussion groups, fee for the children’s dharma meditative arts and free time. The aim program. This is on a sliding scale

is to allow young adults to develop and basis, ranging from $50 to $150. ÉOWYN AHLSTROM

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 19 Retreats with Ruth Denison Three-Month Retreat from May 16 to June 30, $150; after The style of teaching of these The annual three-month course is a June 30, $250. Please note that these retreats is unique in the IMS schedule. special time for practice. Because of amounts will apply even if you wish In addition to traditional sittings and its extended length and the continuity to move from any part of the course dharma talks, Ruth leads her students of guidance, it is a rare opportunity to to another. into the phenomenology of sound deepen the powers of concentration, and movement, which then become wisdom and compassion. The teaching New Year’s Retreat the subjects of insight and wisdom. is in the style of Mahasi Sayadaw, The New Year is an opportunity Individual and group-as-a-whole refining the skillful means of mental for reflection and intention. activities such as chanting, dance noting, slow movement and precise, Before deciding the direction and playful celebration, done with open awareness. our life should head towards, it is respectful mindfulness, become vehicles helpful to thoroughly investigate for vipassana attention and awakening. Prerequisite is three retreats of a ourselves as we are now. This vipas- This is accomplished with Ruth’s ever- week or more in duration with a sana retreat will gently explore the present, skillful support. recognized vipassana teacher, or terrain of our lives with compassion special permission. This experience, and wisdom. Participants can help Ruth celebrate including teachers’ names, as well as her 83rd birthday during this time. dates and length of retreats must be documented on the registration form. Dana Weekend This course is offered by IMS to Special cancellation fees and deadlines affirm the spirit and practice of apply for this retreat. 3MO and Part 1: up to generosity. There is no fixed fee. March 31, $50; from April 1 to May 15, Participants are asked to offer $150; after May 15, $350 for 3MO, and

whatever contribution fits their means. $250 for Part 1. Part 2: up to May 15, $50; LIBBY VIGEON

Dharma Seed continuing the oral tradition by sharing Western Buddhist Vipassana Teachings

All talks in the To order from our 2005 Dana Catalog Basic Catalog are freely offered on go to our on-line shop at: either listen www.dharmaseed.org CD or Audio Cassette (all talks are priced in this on-line catalog)

Just a reminder, if you can’t get to a retreat, most new retreat talks are available from Dharma Seed. Dharma Seed Archival Center To request the 2005 Dana Catalog: call 800-969-7333, email: [email protected] or go to www.dharmaseed.org

Page 20 www.dharma.org Spring • Summer 2005 Retreat Center Registration Information

Registrations occurs. If you do not get into a course, • Are accepted online, by mail or your deposit will be refunded. in person. For security reasons, we do not accept registration by email. Payments Incomplete applications, including • Retreat fees and deposits are listed those without sufficient deposit, beside each course on the schedule will be returned. (see pages 16-17). Pricing is on a slid- • Are processed by date received ing scale basis – this allows you to pay or by lottery. according to your means. Any amount • If registering online, an email is sent paid above the Low rate is a tax- The Insight Meditation immediately acknowledging receipt of deductible donation. Community of Washington your application. • The full deposit is required even if you • Whether registering by mail or online, are applying for a scholarship, except IMCW offers training in Vipassana within two weeks of your registration for those applying through the Youth – or Insight – meditation and related being processed you should receive Outreach Program, in which case a Buddhist practices that awaken the heart further correspondence indicating $50 deposit is accepted. and mind. We serve the entire DC metro your registration status. If you do not • Please pay by check, credit card or area. In addition to our flagship hear from us within this time please money order in US funds, drawn on a Wednesday night class in Bethesda, contact our office. US or Canadian bank. We cannot IMCW’s programs include weekly classes • All retreatants are expected to par- accept foreign cash or bank drafts. and sitting groups in Washington; ticipate in the entire course. Prior • If possible, please pay the entire retreat Takoma Park and Frederick, MD; cost on registering; this helps our effi- approval of both the teacher and the northern Virginia and office is required for those wishing to ciency. Shepherdstown,WV. We also offer arrive late or leave early. Once a • Make check or money order payable retreat is in process, such movement is to IMS, or include Visa or MasterCard nonresidential weekend retreats and disruptive to others and places an information on the form. workshops, as well as a thriving additional burden on other retreatants community of peer-led Kalyana Mitta – with regard to work periods. Your Cancellation or spiritual friends – groups. room cannot be guaranteed if you • If you need to cancel your registra- Longer residential retreats, held arrive late; the full course fee will be tion, please contact us as soon as several times a year, are open to charged regardless of length of stay. possible. Fees are: $25 if you cancel out-of-towners as well as DC-area • Please contact the office if you are six or more weeks before a course residents. IMCW is guided by founder chemically sensitive. begins; $100 four to six weeks and senior teacher, Tara Brach, • IMS strives to provide a safe, before; and the full deposit less in addition to a Teachers Council peaceful and efficient environment than four weeks before. and Board of Directors. for meditators. It is with regret that • The cancellation policy for the we find, at times, the need to turn Three-Month Retreat is more some one away. Please know that stringent. (Please see page 20 IMCW extends a warm welcome to both we take great care in such situa- for information.) newcomers and experienced meditators. tions – the discernment process is • Cancellation fees apply if you are There are many ways to participate in thorough and always with the confirmed into a course from the our community and deepen your intention to protect the majority wait list and do not accept. So please practice. Please visit our website for a of those who practice here. notify us immediately if you decide you full schedule of classes, retreats and no longer wish to attend. other activities. Wait List • If a course is full, you will be placed on • All cancellation fees support the Look for us at www.imcw.org a wait list and notified if an opening Scholarship Fund. or call us at (202) 986-2922

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 21

Page 22 Cr ❑ Payment Infor I haveadded$______asadonationtoIMS. May weaddyouremail May weaddyour I wishtor I wishtoapplyforascholarship: ______Retreat Experience(forPT1,PT2,3MO).Pleaselistteachernames,datesandlocations ______Please indicateanyphysicaldisabilitiesorspecialneedstoassistinassigningyourroom.______M ______Email Day Phone______Evening Check ______Zip______City ______State______Country Have youbeentoIMSbefore?YES Address ______SlidingScaleAmountYou Will Pay$____ Name ______Course Code______Visit Dates:From______To ______Deposit$______Or, onlineatwww.dharma.org. youmayprefertoregister Mail toIMS,1230PleasantSt.,Barre,MA01005,USA. If youar PLEASE COMPLETEINFULLANDPRINTCLEARL Retreat CenterRegistrationForm oa mutt hreCei ad$______Cardholder Signature______Total $______amountto chargeCreditCard 3-Digit Verification Code(last3digitsofthesequenceonbackCredit Card) ______Date Expiry /______Card Credit on Name Exact edit Car ❑ My checkisenclosedfor$______F ❑ ❑ e registering for more than one course, photocopy this form andsendaseparateformforeachretreat. e registeringformorethanonecourse,photocopythisform if newaddress.Oldaddress______d # eceive myconfirmationpacket: Y ear ofBir mation str th ______Doyousmoke? eet address toouremailinglist? address toourmailinglist? I have downloaded the form already I havedownloadedtheform Please sendmeanapplicationfor by r by email ______Y www.dharma.org ❑❑ . egular mail Do yousnor o hrn ihsmlrognztos YES For sharingwithsimilarorganizations? For IMSuseonly?YES YES For sharingwithsimilarorganizations? For IMSuseonly?YES ❑ ❑ e? _____Canyouof m ❑ ❑ (attach extrapaperifnecessary). ❑ ❑ NO NO fer aride?YES ❑ ❑ Spring ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ NO ______• NO NO umr2005Summer NO ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ✁

149 Lockwood Road Barre, MA 01005 Phone: (978) 355-2347 Barre Center for Buddhist Studies Fax: (978) 355-2798 Email: [email protected] ...for the integration of scholarly understanding and meditative insight... Website: www.dharma.org

The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS) offers a variety of study and research opportunities: lectures, classes, workshops, retreats and independent study programs. While rooted in the classical Buddhist tradition, the BCBS mission calls for the study of all schools of Buddhism and discussions with other traditions. The emphasis is on the interrelationship between study and practice, and on exploring the relevance of classical teachings to contemporary life.

BCBS Schedule for 2005 May 22-27 Andrew Olendzki, et al. Essentials of Buddhist Psychology

June 19-24 Mu Soeng Emptiness: The Still Point of the Turning World

June 25 (1-5 pm) Sharon Salzberg Practicing Kindness

July 8-10 Mu Soeng Buddhist Models of Enlightenment

July 15-17 Taitetsu & Mark Unno Shin Buddhism

Aug 4-7 Bill & Susan Morgan Meditation for Psychotherapists Insight Journal Aug 13-20 Charles Genoud Vimalakirti Sutra (Bhavana Program) Sept 3 Mu Soeng Psychological Homelessness The Insight Journal is a free BCBS Sept 4 Joseph Goldstein Wisdom and Compassion publication, containing articles of lasting interest on the integration of scholarly Sept 10 Lama Palmo Meditation Through the understanding with meditative insight. Vajra Songs of Female Masters Articles in the Sept 11 Special Event: Forum Buddhist Responses to Violence Fall 2004 issue include: Sept 17-22 Andrew Olendzki Abhidhamma: Classical Buddhist Psychology Teacher Interview with Taitetsu Unno Sept 23-25 Chip Hartranft Awakening to the Yoga-Sutra: Yoga and Dhamma Hate Never Dispels Hate by Sarah Doering Oct 1 Narayan & Michael Liebenson Grady Inner Freedom & Nonreactivity in Relationship The Matrix of Experience Oct 8-15 Gregory Kramer Insight Dialogue and Sankhara by Andrew Olendzki Oct 28-Nov 4 Andrew Olendzki & Taraniya Insight Into What? (Bhavana Program) Spiritual Friendship by Jean Esther Nov 6-11 Andrew Olendzki & Taraniya Essentials of Buddhist Psychology Lessons from an Illness Nov 12 Harvey Aronson, with Anne Klein Working with Anger by Marilyn Judson Nov 13 Anne Klein, with Harvey Aronson Knowing Body, Glowing Mind: What Is Mindfulness? Practicing Wholeness And Why is it Important to Therapists? by Chris Germer Nov 18-20 Mark Hart The Paradox of Suffering

…and more. Nov 27-Dec 4 DaeJa Napier Cultivating Lovingkindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy and Equanimity If you would like to receive your free subscription to Insight Journal, Dec 9-11 Susan Stone Conscious Caring: Mindfulness and Caregiving please call or email us. The Spring 2005 issue will be For full course descriptions and registration, please request our program catalog by writing to published in early May. [email protected] or visiting www.dharma.org/bcbs.

Spring • Summer 2005 www.dharma.org Page 23 Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage INSIGHT NEWSLETTER PAID Insight Meditation Society Permit No.2 1230 Pleasant St. Worcester, MA Barre, MA 01005

A stipend or salaried position at IMS presents an opportunity to integrate work and practice in a supportive environment. It is a valuable way to be of service, and to learn about yourself in relationship to others. A diverse benefits package is offered.

Stipend Staff Positions: Salaried Staff Position: Seeking Experienced Cooks Public Awareness Coordinator (For complete descriptions see www.dharma.org/ims/jobs)

Please contact: Human Resources Coordinator Phone: (978) 355-4378 ext.23 Email: [email protected] PHOTOS: LIBBY VIGEON