Past Events › Weekly Meditation

The Eight-Fold Path of Awakening Living with clarity and peace This series will explore the Noble Eight-fold Path as a liberating practice. The Eight-fold Path is among the most practical and powerful core teachings of the Buddha. It offers practitioners a comprehensive approach for training the mind in the context of meditation, action, relationship, and [...]

A six week series with Shaila Catherine This series will introduce five factors that intensify concentration and support the deeply blissful states of meditative absorption, called jhana. We will examine the powerful role that right concentration plays in the path of awakening, and discover ways to strengthen our capacity to focus attention. November 17 – Cultivating Five Factors that [...]

Knowing liberation through the ordinary. You know everything changes, so why do you suffer when possessions are lost, relationships end, or friends die? Insight meditation is oriented toward seeing three characteristics—the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and emptiness of experience. In some ways these are ordinary and obvious insights. Every day we experience changing sensory impressions; we cannot [...]

Recollective Meditations The Buddha taught a broad range of meditation practices—far more extensive than simply observing sensations and breath. Practitioners can use six classic meditation subjects to nurture calmness, focus attention, inspire patient persistence, gain confidence in the efficacy of the path, and contemplate the nature of kamma, action, and mind. The six recollections are: [...]

Developing a balanced practice. The art of Dhamma practice includes engaging skillfully with complementary aspects of practice. Sometimes we are called to actively cultivate qualities, while at other times, letting go is more appropriate. We use both our head and our heart; we engage both inwardly and in the outer world; we need both restraint [...]

Living an ethical life in the modern world. A three week series with special guest teacher Jenny Wilks. When we think of ethical practice in Buddhism, we often focus on the traditional five precepts. However a longer list of ten paths of skillful action (kusala-kamma-patha) occurs more frequently in the early texts. They overlap with [...]

Mindfulness, Insight, and Compassion ‘Mindfulness’ is becoming such a commonly used term that its depth and liberating potential may be underestimated or misunderstood. The Buddha’s teaching on establishing mindfulness (the Satipatthana Sutta) invites us to cultivate mindfulness both ‘internally’ – a deep awareness of our inner experience, in order to cultivate liberating insight – and [...]

Thus Have I Heard: Teachings Inspired by Lesser Known Discourses of the Buddha The Pali Canon includes over 5,000 discourses that document conversations and encounters that occurred during forty years of the Buddha's ministry. Over the centuries, certain teachings have risen to the surface with popularity and come to characterize our impression of what the [...]

For the mind that values freedom. These seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop in meditation. When cultivated and balanced, the mind is ripe for awakening. This series will explore each factor to reveal its importance, function, and role in [...]

A training for living in the present. This course is an introduction to the meditative development of mindfulness through which we refine our ability to focus and bring clear attention to all aspects of experience. We will cultivate mindfulness of breath, sensations, emotions, thoughts and actions. This series includes exercises that enhance mindfulness, support the establishment [...]

Guest Speaker: Philip Jones Topic: Windows on the World: Self-View and the Four Noble Truths. Read biographies of our guest speakers on our Teachers Page. Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga. This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain [...]

Practice Is Like This: the Similes of Ajahn Chah with guest teacher Margaret Gainer For biographies and photos of our teachers, visit the Teacher Page. Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga. This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain [...]

For a life of harmony and clarity. This series will explore virtue as the indispensable foundation of Buddhist practice. The series will emphasize the five training precepts, and may explore action, ethics, kamma, and cause-effect dynamics. The precepts are not rules to be obediently followed; they serve as guidelines for the intentional development of compassion, [...]

Right Action In The Face Of Climate Change: Can we practice non-harming? Before he went forth, Siddartha Gautama had a palace for the cold season, one for the hot season, and one for the four months of the rainy season. He lived over two and a half millennia ago during the Holocene epoch. We now [...]

Nurturing the best in ourselves. This series will explore the five spiritual faculties and their cultivation in meditation: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. The Buddha stressed the importance of these controlling faculties and powers, which offer a complete structure for meditative development and culminate with final liberation. They are necessary features of meditative progress [...]

IMSB is privileged to welcome guest speaker Robert Cusick. He'll be speaking on: TBA Visit our Teachers Page for biographies and photos of our guest speakers. Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga. This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in [...]

Tonight's special author event will feature best selling author Chade-Meng Tan speaking about his newest book, Joy on Demand. Books will be available at the event and signing will occur after the talk. 7:00 Doors Open (please arrive before the meditation begins) 7:15  Meditation Begins 8:00 Meng Speaks 9:00 Book Signing Please notice that the [...]

Nurturing the best in ourselves. This series will explore the five spiritual faculties and their cultivation in meditation: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. The Buddha stressed the importance of these controlling faculties and powers, which offer a complete structure for meditative development and culminate with final liberation. They are necessary features of meditative progress [...]

IMSB is privileged to host Thanissaro Bhikkhu as our guest teacher tonight. For biography of guest speakers, see our Teachers Page. Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga. This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The principal teacher [...]

Ways to realize the end of suffering. No one wants to suffer, and yet we do. The first sermon that the Buddha gave after his awakening addressed the issue of suffering. He articulated four basic tenants that have been remembered as the four noble truths. They include the full understanding of suffering, the abandoning of [...]

A series for developing the best of mind and heart. Many powerful wholesome qualities are nurtured in the contemplative life. This series will explore the ten perfections (paramis) that support the path of awakening, and bring joy and harmony into our daily lives. These beautiful qualities are accessible to everyone, at every stage of our [...]

Can busy lay practitioners realize the fruits of the Buddhist path? How can we bring mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion into our family, community, and workplace activities? This speaker series will explore the intersection of the Buddha's teachings with the complex demands of contemporary daily life. Each speaker will explore a theme that highlights social issues [...]

Tonight’s meditation group meeting is cancelled. The church requires use of our usual meeting room for their events. Our regular weekly meditation program will resume next week.

Tonight's guest speaker is Bill Kostura Topic: The Most Important Teaching This evening, we will explore why some teachings are most helpful at certain times in our lives.  We will also consider whether one or some teachings really are the most important. View guest teacher biographies and photographs on our Teachers Page. Insight Meditation South Bay offers [...]

Guest speaker: Margaret Gainer Topic: "Who Suffers, Who Cares?" View guest teacher biographies and photographs on our Teachers Page. Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation programs—Tuesday drop in meditation group in Mountain View, and Thursday Dhamma Classroom in San Jose - Saratoga. Tonight's meditation group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The [...]

Tonight's guest speaker is Renee Burgard Her topic is Mindful Self-Compassion Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga. This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. Thematic [...]

Living Wisely in the World: Caring for mind, family, society, and planet A famous verse in the Dhammapada states: "All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a corrupted mind, and suffering follows, as the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox … Speak or act with a peaceful mind, and [...]

Our usual weekly meditation group and Living Wisely in the World speaker series has been cancelled for tonight because the church needs the room for their Vacation Bible Course. Our program will resume next Tuesday evening. Living Wisely in the World: Caring for mind, family, society, and planet A famous verse in the Dhammapada states: "All experience is [...]

Preparing The Mind for Awakening: Cultivating The Seven Factors of Awakening For the mind that values freedom. Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop through meditation. When these seven factors are well developed, the mind is ripe for awakening. This [...]

We invited several local teachers to share both the personal aims that guide their practice and their understanding of the goals of the Buddhist Path. We asked them the following questions: What is the goal of Buddhist practice? What do you personally hope to achieve through your practice? What is a reasonable way to assess [...]

The Heart of Meditation A 4-week series with Shaila Catherine Open your heart - bring balance to your relationships Tuesdays, November 13 - December 4, 2018 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm In this series, you'll learn to nurture four profound qualities of heart: loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. These qualities, traditionally called the Divine Abodes [...]

Landscape Photography An evening with Rex Naden Landscape photography is a powerful medium for exploring perception, attention, and spiritual perspectives. Rex Naden, an avid landscape photographer, will share slides of his photographs, and discuss his encounters with nature, the artistic image, and the subtle ways that he uses color and composition to communicate his vision. [...]

Tonight's guest dharma teacher is Kimberly Allen The Topic: Inner Ecology Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays evenings we offer an open drop-in sitting group in Mountain View, and Thursdays we offer structured courses in Saratoga. The Tuesday sitting group meets every Tuesday evening for a meditation and Dhamma talk in Mountain [...]

Ed Haertel will facilitate tonight's discussion on Generosity as a Spiritual Practice Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays evenings we offer an open drop-in sitting group in Mountain View, and Thursdays we offer structured courses in Saratoga. The Tuesday sitting group meets every Tuesday evening for a meditation and Dhamma talk in [...]

Tonight's guest speaker is Ted Gutfeldt. Topic: If there is only non-self (anatta), who is it that meditates? Talk Description: One of the fundamental tenets of Buddhism is that "I-making" and "my-making" results in suffering. We can recognize that the common thread that runs through the suffering of attachments/greed; aversions/hatred; and delusions; is the "self" [...]

Equanimity: Dancing with the Unexpected A special event with Stephen Fulder Equanimity is a  key spiritual faculty which allows us to face the known and the unknown, the ecstasies and the despairs, with steadiness and lightness. Equanimity helps us engage with life from an unlimited and interconnected perspective. The Buddhist image is of an island [...]

Problems on the Path An evening with Ross Buttner In tonight's program, Ross Buttner will discuss his research into challenges faced by Western Buddhist practitioners, and how these problems can be overcome. Based on his analysis of 70 in-depth interviews with teachers and practitioners, Ross will focus on four general areas of difficulty: psychological challenges, issues [...]

Tonight's Special Guest Teacher: Venerable U Jagara Topic: TBD Visit our Teacher Page for biographies and photos of our guest speakers. Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays evenings we offer an open drop-in sitting group in Mountain View, and Thursdays we offer structured courses in Saratoga. The Tuesday sitting group meets every [...]

Tonight's special guest speaker is Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Topic: Right View Comes First Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays evenings we offer an open drop-in sitting group in Mountain View, and Thursdays we offer structured courses in Saratoga. The Tuesday sitting group meets every Tuesday evening for a meditation and Dhamma talk in [...]

Topic: Devotion with Ying Chen The word "devotion" can evoke a wide range of reactions in people's mind. On the Buddha dhamma path, devotion is one of the key qualities to be cultivated. Devotion can evoke multi-dimensional heart, mind, and embodied qualities that are supportive on the path. In this talk, Ying will explore these [...]

Tonight's guest speaker is Jon Joseph. Topic: The Great Koan No: An Invitation to Establish Intimacy With Our World Koans are ancient accounts of exchanges between teachers, students and their surroundings, which have some mysterious power to provide us with an invitation for freedom and transformation. In the Zen tradition, the most fundamental of the [...]

Power of Patience with Dawn Scott Patience, one of the Ten Paramis (Perfections) has the potential to imbue our daily lives with meaning. It also is the steadying force that propels us along the path of liberation.  In this evening will explore  the power of patience to free us from reactivity so that we can [...]

Seven Factors of Awakening With Shaila Catherine,  Kim Allen, and Maria Straatmann For the mind that values freedom. February 11 – March 31, 2020 Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop through meditation. When these seven factors are well developed, [...]

Seven Factors of Awakening With Shaila Catherine,  Kim Allen, and Maria Straatmann For the mind that values freedom. February 11 – March 31, 2020 Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop through meditation. When these seven factors are well developed, [...]

Seven Factors of Awakening With Shaila Catherine,  Kim Allen, and Maria Straatmann For the mind that values freedom. February 11 – March 31, 2020 Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop through meditation. When these seven factors are well developed, [...]

The remaining Tuesdays in March are cancelled. We will resume our programs as soon as possible. Please check this website for updates.  Seven Factors of Awakening With Shaila Catherine,  Kim Allen, and Maria Straatmann For the mind that values freedom. February 11 – March 31, 2020 Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the [...]

The remaining Tuesdays in March are cancelled. We will resume our programs as soon as possible. Please check this website for updates.  Seven Factors of Awakening With Shaila Catherine,  Kim Allen, and Maria Straatmann For the mind that values freedom. February 11 – March 31, 2020 Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the [...]

The remaining Tuesdays in March are cancelled. We will resume our programs as soon as possible. Please check this website for updates.  Seven Factors of Awakening With Shaila Catherine,  Kim Allen, and Maria Straatmann For the mind that values freedom. February 11 – March 31, 2020 Seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the [...]