Egos Found and Lost: The Role of Compassionate Interdependence in a Prison Garden Program with Lisa Benham This talk discusses recognizable patterns of Dharma found in new paths taken, as described through quotes from the inmate participants of the Insight Garden Program at San Quentin. The stories and details shared come directly from Lisa Benham’s recent Environmental Studies thesis research:  "From Utility to Significance: [...]

The Construction Of Identity And The Five Clinging Aggregates. A Five Week Series with Shaila Catherine. January 13—Focus on Matter January 20—Focus on Feeling January 27—Focus on Perception February 3—Focus on Mental Formations February 10—Focus on Consciousness This Tuesday evening series will explore a classic Buddhist model of identity construction: the five aggregates affected by [...]

An Evening with Ajahn Brahm a Benefit event for the Buddhist Women’s Monastic Community THIS EVENING will include sitting meditation and teachings by the Venerable Ajahn Brahm, author of several widely acclaimed books including Who Ordered That Truck Load of Dung, Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond, and his newest book Don't Worry, Be Grumpy! According to [...]

Developing a Kind Heart – A series that will open the heart and bring balance in relationships. This series will nurture the development of four profound qualities of heart: loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. These four qualities express a powerful and immeasurable intention of kindness toward ourselves and all beings. They are traditionally called the Divine [...]

Eight Great Thoughts: An 8-week speaker series based on Anuruddha Sutta. March 10 — Fewness of Wishes—with Misha Merrill March 17 — Seclusion—with Carla Brennan March 24 — Contentment—with Jason Murphy March 31 — No meeting this evening. St. Timothy's Church community will be having an event in our usual meeting space. We will resume meeting the following [...]

Eight Great Thoughts: An 8-week speaker series based on Anuruddha Sutta. March 10 — Fewness of Wishes—with Misha Merrill March 17 — Contentment—with Jason Murphy March 24 — Seclusion—with  Carla Brennan March 31 — No meeting this evening. St. Timothy's Church community will be having an event in our usual meeting space. We will resume meeting the following [...]

Strengthening Mindfulness – A series dedicated to cultivating genuine insight. This series will expand on instructions offered in basic mindfulness courses, offering new depths of understanding, integrating the practice with life situations, and helping students establish a daily meditation practice. Mindfulness training is a practical tool that can support wisdom in any activity, and it [...]

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 [...]

Venerable U Jagara will be our guest speaker tonight. Topic: Wise Attention (part 2) Insight Meditation South Bay meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. See also weekly sitting. IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is [...]

Tonight's guest speaker is Misha Merrill. Insight Meditation South Bay meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. See also weekly sitting. IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language [...]

A series for those curious about what the Buddha taught. Buddhist tradition offers a rich tradition of wisdom teachings, many of which are remembered as lists. This series will focus on the philosophy, principals, practices, and instructions that are fundamental to developing a meditative or Buddhist practice. It is intended as an introduction to Buddhism [...]

This series will explore virtue as the indispensable foundation of Buddhist practice. The series is structured according to the five training precepts. These precepts are not rules to be obediently followed; they serve as guidelines for the intentional development of compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom. These five precepts offer us a joyful method to cultivate the [...]

A series for those curious about what the Buddha taught. Buddhist tradition offers a rich tradition of wisdom teachings, many of which are remembered as lists. This series will focus on the philosophy, principals, practices, and instructions that are fundamental to developing a meditative or Buddhist practice. It is intended as an introduction to Buddhism [...]

The Three Jewels and Refuges Where the mind rests with trust. What do you turn to when your enthusiasm for practice fades? Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha can focus our intentions and inspire our practice. The potential for awakening, a clear path of training, and ongoing support of the community are three [...]

Don’t miss this inspirational event with Lama Surya Das, a best selling author and dharma teacher! Lama Surya Das will speak about his latest book Make Me One with Everything: Buddhist Meditations to Awaken from the Illusion of Separation “If you’ve ever felt ‘at one’ with something—your beloved or your child, a forest trail or a favorite song,” [...]

The Three Jewels and Refuges Where the mind rests with trust. What do you turn to when your enthusiasm for practice fades? Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha can focus our intentions and inspire our practice. The potential for awakening, a clear path of training, and ongoing support of the community are three [...]

This evening Laura Lin will lead a Reflection and Discussion on the topic of Refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. Insight Meditation South Bay meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and unless otherwise indicated the Tuesday evening program will be lead by Shaila. Guest speakers [...]

What we can do to improve our lives... Three core practices support growth in Buddhist practice generosity (dana) virtue (sila) mental development (bhavana). These Three Pillars are sometimes called sources of merit because they are actions that lead to beneficial results. Practicing generosity we nurture an open, kind heart; practicing virtue we live happily, free from [...]

This mini two part series will explore the variety of ways that awakening occurred in the days of the Buddha. Reflecting on various approaches to awakening, and inspired by the example of early Buddhists who have awakened, we might value a wider range of practices. There are many ways to liberate the mind and heart! Insight Meditation South Bay meets [...]

Fostering the sacred in a busy life. with Pastor Erik Swanson  and Shaila Catherine How can we nurture a sacred and contemplative experience of our lives in the midst of the pressures and demands that are characteristic of Silicon Valley? This evening program will include mindfulness meditation and discussion with two local spiritual leaders who [...]

This mini two part series will explore the variety of ways that awakening occurred in the days of the Buddha. Reflecting on various approaches to awakening, and inspired by the example of early Buddhists who have awakened, we might value a wider range of practices. There are many ways to liberate the mind and heart! Insight Meditation South Bay meets [...]

This week's guest teacher is Ron Purser. His topic is: Exploring Nondual Mindfulness You can find his biography on our guest teacher page. Insight Meditation South Bay meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk. See weekly sitting. Everyone is welcome. Chairs are provided. Bring a cushion and mat if you prefer to sit on the [...]

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 [...]

Tonight's guest speaker is Ann Dillon. Topic: Protecting Oneself and Others Read teacher biographies on our Teacher's Page.   Insight Meditation South Bay meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and unless otherwise indicated the Tuesday evening program will be lead by Shaila. Guest speakers are featured regularly. See also [...]

Topic: Listening as Spiritual Practice Insight Meditation South Bay offers 2 weekly sitting groups. Every Tuesday evening we meet for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View, and every Thursday evening we meet for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Saratoga. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and unless otherwise indicated the Tuesday evening program will be lead [...]

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 [...]

Old Endings – New Beginnings with Sharon Allen As the end of the year draws near, we can use the last group practice night together as a way to intentionally let go of past events and experiences and open to the unknown that is yet to come. Through meditation, teachings from the suttas, and reflection, we [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]