Overcoming Obstacles to Meditation

Cultivating skills and insight that will transform habits of mind. 

Meditation practice cultivates inner peace, clarity, concentration and joy. In order to experience these beautiful qualities, we must overcome the obstacles of agitation, dullness, distraction, obsessive thinking, and painful emotions, and we must learn to work skillfully with pain, illness, fear, and a wide range of obstructive patterns. This series will investigate hindrances to meditation, and nurture the skills that will enable us to overcome the common obstacles to meditative insight. Through mindful inquiry we will recognize the presence, absence, and causal conditions for hindrances and thereby transform negative patterns into positive states.

Everyone is welcome. No registration is required. Chairs are provided, but bring a sitting mat and cushion if you prefer to sit on the floor; it is not carpeted.

• May 28 – Investigating Obstacles – Shaila Catherine­
• June 4 – Resistance – Robert Cusick ­
• June 11 – Restlessness – Sharon Allen ­
• June 18 – Fear – Bhante U Jagara
• June 25 – Doubt – Ayya Santussika
• July 2 – Community Practice: Sitting and walking meditation with Kim Allen

Everyone is welcome. Chairs are provided. Bring a cushion and mat if you prefer to sit on the wood floor.

IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings and generosity. Two bowls will be available at an event to practice dana for the teacher and IMSB; we encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.