[updated 11/19/94; expires 1/5/96] INSIGHT MEDITATION SOCIETY 1230 Pleasant St. Barre, MA 01005 (508) 355-4378 (Mon., and Wed. through Sat.: 10AM-12Noon and 3-5PM) FAX: (508) 355-6398 SCHEDULE OF COURSES * * * * * 1 9 9 4 * * * * * Sept 21-Dec 17 THREE MONTH RETREAT (87 days) (3MO $2,200) Sept 21-Nov 3 PARTIAL #1 (PART1 $1,150) Nov 3-Dec 17 PARTIAL #2 (PART2 $1,150) Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Carol Wilson, Steven Smith and Michele McDonald-Smith The three month course is a special time for practice. Because of its extended length and the continuity of guidance, it is a rare opportunity to deepen the powers of concentration, wisdom and compassion. The teaching is in the style of Mahasi Sayadaw, refining the skillful means of mental noting, slow movement and precise, open awareness. Prerequisite is one 9-day retreat with an IMS teacher or special permission. Dec 28-Jan 6 NEW YEAR'S RETREAT (9 days) (NY $255) Jack Kornfield and Rodney Smith The New Year is traditionally a time for listening to the heart and taking stock of our lives from the deepest wisdom within. This retreat offers a systematic training in mindfulness of breath, body, feelings, and mind. Emphasis is placed on incorporating a spirit and training of loving kindness into all aspects of the practice, developing our capacity for clarity and compassion in each moment Please note the special cancellation deadlines for this retreat. * * * * * 1 9 9 5 * * * * * Jan 30-Feb 5 (6 days) METTA RETREAT (JS1 $190) Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Sylvia Boorstein Metta is the Pali word for friendship or loving kindness. Classically it is taught as a practice along with meditations cultivating compassion, rejoicing in the happiness of others (sympathetic joy), and equanimity. They are practiced to develop concentration, fearlessness, happiness, and a loving heart. This course is devoted to cultivating these qualities. Feb 5-15 (10 days) VIPASSANA RETREAT (JS2 $290) Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg. This retreat emphasizes the continuity of mindfulness, along with some daily practice of metta (loving kindness) meditation. The teaching is in the style of Mahasi Sayadaw, refining the quality of precise open awareness as a way of deepening the wisdom and compassion within us. Jan 30-Feb l5 (16 days) METTA & VIPASSANA RETREATS (JS3 $440) Feb 24-26 (2 days) DANA WEEKEND (DANA Donation) Bhante Gunaratana This retreat is offered on the part of IMS to affirm the spirit of giving. There is no fixed course fee; participants are encouraged to offer whatever contribution fits their means. Priority will be given to those who, for financial reasons, are unable to attend courses with fixed course rates. Mar 3-12 (9 days) VIPASSANA RETREAT (LR1 $265) Larry Rosenberg and Narayan Liebenson Grady Anapana-sati, Buddha's teaching on the full awareness of breathing, will be the frame of reference for this retreat. Conscious breathing will be practiced to help develop and nourish both serenity (samatha) and liberating insight (vipassana). In addition to formal sitting and walking meditation we will learn to keep the breath in mind throughout the day, enabling us to stay awake in the midst of all ordinary activities. Mar 17-19 (2 days) WEEKEND (AV1 $95) Mar 17-26 (9 days) CULTIVATING THE REFUGES (AV2 $265) Ajahn Sucitto -- Amaravati Sangha This retreat will focus on how cultivating the refuges can create a place of trust, a place of belonging in our hearts. This cultivation can be a gateway to deeper understanding of the Buddhadhamma and freedom. Through daily chanting (morning and evening pujas), cultivation of mindfulness, kindness and forgiveness of ourselves and others, one experiences a lightening of our lives, so that each moment is experienced as a fresh, new beginning. Refuges are a place where this new beginning can be experienced. Note: Retreat participants are expected to keep the 8 monastic precepts (including not eating after noon). Apr 1-8 (7 days) WOMEN'S RETREAT (WOM $215) Christina Feldman and Narayan Liebenson Grady In this annual gathering of women at IMS, insight meditation is the vehicle used to develop calmness and clarity, wisdom and compassion, openness and vision. This retreat is an opportunity for women to focus on a spiritual path free of dichotomies as well as spiritual, social and psychological conditioning. There is a full daily schedule of meditation and silence. as well as small group meetings. Apr 14-17 (3 days) WEEKEND RETREAT--For Experienced Students (LR2 $125) Larry Rosenberg and Michael Liebenson Grady Anapana-sati, Buddha's teaching on the full awareness of breathing, will be the frame of reference for this retreat. Conscious breathing will be practiced to develop and nourish both serenity (samatha) and liberating insight (vipassana). In addition to formal sitting and walking meditation we will learn to keep the breath in mind throughout the day, enabling us to stay awake in the midst of all ordinary activities. //Note: Retreatants are required to have sat at least one 9-day retreat at IMS, or a comparable vipassana retreat situation elsewhere//. Michael Liebenson Grady has practiced vipassana since 1973. He lives in Cambridge. MA and teaches at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center. Apr 21-28 (7 days) THE GREEN BUDDHA (CTI $215) Christopher Titmuss, Sharda Rogell and Jose Reissig This retreat consists of sustained silent meditation, deep inquiry into our life experiences, and realization into the nature of things. It provides the opportunity to free the mind from the influence of tensions and negative patterns, and for the heart's awakening to immensity. May 9-14 (5 days) MEN'S RETREAT (MEN $165) Steven Smith and Steve Armstrong This traditional vipassana retreat will combine silent sitting with careful examination and thoughtful dialogue of significant issues in men's lives. Suitable for new and experienced students. May 19-29 (10 days) METTA RETREAT (SMI $290) Steven Smith, Michele McDonald-Smith, Carol Wilson Metta is the practice of friendship or loving-kindness. It is cultivated as a meditation and a way of life along with compassion, joy and equanimity. These practices strengthen self-confidence, self-acceptance, and a steadiness of mind and heart, and reveal our fundamental connectedness to all life. May 29-Jun 10 (12 days) VIPASSANA RETREAT (SM2 $340) Steven Smith, Michele McDonald-Smith, Kamala Masters This retreat emphasizes the beauty and preciousness of experiencing the truth through the very simple and direct awareness practice that the Buddha taught. Each individual is encouraged to find a balance in their own meditation practice of the deep relaxation and exploration that leads to living in the present moment more fully and with greater wisdom. Daily loving kindness practice is also included. May 19-Jun 10 (22 days) METTA & VIPASSANA RETREATS (SM3 $590) Jun 16-18 (2 days) WEEKEND RETREAT (SM4 $95) Steven Smith, Michele McDonald-Smith and Kamala Masters The emphasis of this retreat is similar to May 29-June 10 retreat. (See above) Jun 22-26 (4 days) YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT (YA $140) Steven Smith and Michele McDonald-Smith This retreat is specifically for teenagers. It will offer beginning meditation instruction, l/2 hour sitting and walking periods, discussions, stories, and free time. The aim is to allow young people to discover, develop, and value their natural spirituality with a tremendous amount of support. Extensive supervision will be provided. For ages 13-19 only. Jun 30-Jul 3 (3 days) 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND--THE HEART IN VIPASSANA MEDITATION (4TH $125) Rodney Smith and Narayan Liebenson Grady This weekend course will center on the ways of the heart, and how awareness brings us in touch with the joys and sorrows of living with ever-increasing sensitivity, stability and love. Jul 7-16 (9 days) VIPASSANA RETREAT--For Experienced Students (LR3 $265) Larry Rosenberg and Corrado Pensa Anapana-sati, Buddha's teaching on the full awareness of breathing, will be the frame of reference for this retreat. Conscious breathing will be practiced to develop and nourish both serenity (samatha) and liberating insight (vipassana). In addition to formal sitting and walking meditation we will learn to keep the breath in mind throughout the day, enabling us to stay awake in the midst of all ordinary activities. Retreatants are required to have sat at least one 9-day retreat at IMS, or a comparable vipassana retreat situation elsewhere. Jul 21-30 (9 days) VIPASSANA RETREAT (CFl $265) Christina Feldman and Anna Douglas An opportunity to develop calmness, wisdom and compassion in a supportive environment. Emphasis is placed upon developing sensitivity, attention and awareness in sitting and walking meditation to foster our innate gifts of inner listening, balance and understanding. Silence, meditation, instruction and evening talks are integral parts of this retreat. Aug 3-8 (5 days) FAMILY RETREAT (FAM Adult $165 Child $50) Christina Feldman, Marcia Rose, Jose Reissig This course explores integrating meditation and family life. In a less formal atmosphere, a full program of sittings, discussions, family meditations, and talks is offered. Child care is shared cooperatively through a rotation system with parents and volunteers. Each family unit pays an additional $25 for professional child care coordination. Please specify names, year of birth, and sex of all children on your registration. Aug 12-20 (8 days) INSIGHT MEDITATION AND INQUIRY (CT2 $240) Christopher Titmuss, Sharda Rogell and Jose Reissig This retreat consists of sustained silent meditation, deep inquiry into our life experiences, and realization into the nature of things. It provides the opportunity to free the mind from the influence of tensions and negative patterns, and for the heart's awakening to immensity. Aug 25-27 VIPASSANA WEEKEND (2 days) (LR4 $95) Larry Rosenberg and Narayan Liebenson Grady Anapana-sati, Buddha's teaching on the full awareness of breathing, will be the frame of reference for this retreat. Conscious breathing will be practiced to help develop and nourish both serenity (samatha) and liberating insight (vipassana). In addition to formal sitting and walking meditation we will learn to keep the breath in mind throughout the day enabling us to stay awake in the midst of all ordinary activities Sep 1-4 (3 days) LABOR DAY WEEKEND (RDI $125) Sep 1-10 (9 days) VIPASSANA RETREAT (RD2 $265) Ruth Denison This retreat fosters awareness and correct understanding of life's process in ourselves and others. The focus of the practice is on opening the heart, discovering oneself, and developing insight into the reality of the mind and body. Retreat activities include sound and body movement meditations, and the development of mindfulness in the day-to-day activities of our lives. This retreat is somewhat different from other IMS retreats, and includes sustained and on-going verbal teacher instruction throughout the day. Sep 22-Dec 17 (86 days)THREE MONTH RETREAT (3MO $2,250) Sep 22-Nov 4 (6 Weeks) PARTIAL #1 (PART1 $1,150) Nov 4-Dec 17 (6 Weeks) PARTIAL #2 (PART2 $1,150) Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Michele McDonald-Smith,Carol Wilson and Steve Armstrong The three month course is a special time for practice. Because of its extended length and the continuity of guidance, it is a rare opportunity to deepen the powers of concentration, wisdom and compassion. The teaching is in the style of Mahasi Sayadaw, refining the skillful means of mental noting, slow movement and precise, open awareness. Prerequisite is one 9-day retreat with an IMS teacher or special permission. Dec 28-Jan 5 (8 days) NEW YEAR'S RETREAT (NY $240) Jack Kornfield, Rodney Smith and others The New Year is traditionally a time for listening to the heart and taking stock of our lives from the deepest wisdom within. This retreat offers a systematic training in mindfulness of breath, body, feelings, and mind. Emphasis is placed on incorporating a spirit and training of loving kindness into all aspects of the practice, developing our capacity for clarity and compassion in each moment. //Please note the special cancellation deadline for this retreat//. [end]