Discovering liberation through the ordinary
with Shaila Catherine and Maria Straatman
You know everything changes, so why do you suffer when possessions are lost, relationships end, or friends die?
Each day, we experience changing sensory impressions; we cannot control what happens, and we have never succeeded in attaining lasting happiness from transient phenomena. Insight meditation is oriented toward seeing three characteristics—the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and emptiness of experience.
In some ways, these are ordinary and obvious insights. Yet, these simple truths have the profound power to uproot our deepest misperceptions. When we see them clearly, we do not cling; when not clinging, the mind, body and heart are liberated. This series will explore the nature of wisdom, perception and liberating insights with an emphasis on what are called the three characteristics, or three doorways to Nibbana.
November 18 — Insight into Impermanence with Maria Straatman
November 25 — Insight into Unsatisfactoriness with Shaila Catherine
December 2 — Insight into Emptiness with Shaila Catherine
December 9 — Insight Knowledge with Shaila Catherine
December 16 — Experience of Insight with Shaila Catherine
Location:
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
Edwards Hall
2094 Grant Rd.
Mountain View, CA 94040
Teachers:
Please visit these pages for biographies and photos of our principal teacher, Shaila Catherine, and guest speakers.
Usual Schedule (subject to change):
6:45 pm — Doors Open — arrive early to check-in
7:00 pm — Meditation
7:40 pm — Teachings and Discussion
8:30 pm — Closing and Informal Connections
8:45 pm — Departure
Experience Level:
This event is appropriate for newcomers as well as experienced practitioners. The evening includes silent or guided meditation and teachings from our principal teacher Shaila Catherine or guest teachers.
What to Bring:
Wear clothing that is suitable for the outdoor temperatures on the day of the event. Bring a blanket, shawl, scarf, sweater, or whatever you like to stay warm since we will maximize ventilation by keeping the doors and windows open at least partially during the event. The floor is not carpeted. Bring a mat or cushion if you want to sit on the floor. Standard folding chairs are provided; you may bring a cushion or back support to increase your comfort while sitting.
Dana/Donations:
IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and to cover organizational expenses that continue whether we are meeting in-person or online. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings, and generosity. We encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. You may include your donation with your ticket selection, give gifts of cash or checks through the baskets at the event, or donate online via credit card, Paypal or Network For Good through our Donate Now page. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Financial Need Scholarships:
If you cannot afford any of the sliding scale ticket options, you may self-select a reduced scholarship rate by utilizing the coupon code, halftherate, during the ticketing process. This code will reduce any ticket option by 50%. If you cannot make any financial contribution to support the event or the teacher, come anyway—you will be welcome at the door.
Reserve your spot!
Choose a ticket below to reserve your seat. The ticketing process will allow you to make a donation online. Each ticket reserves your space for one evening in this series.
Please purchase the number of tickets that correspond to the number of evenings you wish to attend in this series. For example, if you can only attend 3 evenings, please click the + button up to number 3. If you wish to attend the full series, please click the + button up to number 5. By clicking up to 5 tickets you have essentially bought a pass for the full series. In this way, our ticket options give you the option to select both the rate you wish to offer, and the number of evenings you wish to attend.
IMSB will include the billing address entered during the ticketing process on IMSB’s mailing list; you may unsubscribe from our list at any time. If attendees arrive without a reservation, they will be admitted as space permits. Drop-in attendance is welcome.