Tuesday Morning Silent Meditation

Tue 10/23/18 - 7:45am to 8:30am

This drop-in sitting meditation is offered in the simplicity of silence without instruction. An ending bell will be rung by a practice leader. No registration.  No fee; donations are always welcome.  Not suggested for new meditators.

Beginners Practice Group: Level II (5 week class - 9/25-10/23) (Registration Closed) - With Ted Jones

Tue 10/23/18 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

This group is specifically designed for students who have completed at least one Introductory class series or Beginner's Sat. retreat. The group will bridge the shorter sitting periods of an Introductory offering and the longer sitting periods of the other offerings at the Center.  Over the five-session class the length of the sitting meditation periods will gradually be increased from 20 minutes per session at the first session to 45 minutes by the final session.  In addition to preparing students to be able to take a wider range of offerings at IMCN, the class will focus on supporting independent home practice. Each class session will include both sitting and walking mediation, as well as ample time for questions and discussion.

This five week class runs from 9/25-10/23.  You must be pre-registered to attend.  There are no drop-in classes.

Read About Ted Jones

Wednesday Open Practice Period

Wed 10/24/18 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

The Open Practice Period is available for experienced students who need no instruction.  IMCN is open to use for silent sitting and walking meditation practice and use of library.  You may arrive and leave at any time.  Total silence is kept in the building and on the grounds during this period.  No bells will be rung.  No fee; donations are always welcome.  This is not suitable for beginners.

Shamatha and Vipassana: Calm and Insight (13 weeks: 9/5-12/12)(registration closed) - With Matthew Daniell

Wed 10/24/18 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

In this 13 week course we will explore for ourselves the Buddha’s two-step approach to awakening known as Shamatha and Vipassana, or Calm and Insight.  We will be asked to experientially work with these questions: What meditation practices and other life skills do we use to cultivate a nourished, calm and steady heart and mind (Shamatha)? How does calm lead to clear seeing (Vipassana) and letting go?  Does clear seeing lead to calm?  When calm and insight are balanced do we find that they are naturally unified, and need not be separated? 

The goal of this practice group is to grow our ability to use these different attentional capacities based on learning what approach is most skillful in any given situation. This creates the condition where we may discover new and rewarding ways of being in the world and in ourselves, experiencing the transformative power that is at the heart of the Buddha’s approach to meditative living; Shamatha-Vipassana.

You must be pre-registered to attend.  This is a 13 week class that runs from 9/5-12/12 (no class on 10/17 & 11/21). There are no drop-in classes.

Thursday Morning Silent Meditation

Thu 10/25/18 - 7:45am to 8:30am

This drop-in sitting meditation is offered in the simplicity of silence without instruction. An ending bell will be rung by a practice leader. No registration.  No fee; donations are always welcome.  Not suggested for new meditators.

Thursday Morning Retreat - With Matthew Daniell

Thu 10/25/18 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Thursday Half Day Retreats are designed to be flexible to personal schedules while offering the opportunity to deepen practice through periods of silent sitting and walking meditation. You may come for part, or all of this retreat.  While at the center, please adhere closely to the schedule and maintain silence.  Click here for retreat schedule.

Teacher Matthew Daniell leads the retreat and there will be minimal instruction offered as needed.  He will provide time for an optional teacher interview with each participant.  A bell will be rung to signal the rotation between silent sitting and walking meditation.  Cost: $25/nonmembers and $20/members  (Can be paid at the door with cash or check only).

These practice periods are not suitable for complete beginners: An introductory meditation class or equivalent experience is strongly recommended before attending. Attendance is on a drop-in basis; no pre-registration is required.

Sign up

You can preg-register for this retreat on-line or pay at the door.  Pre-registration is not required.

To pay by check or read our refund policy, click here

Introduction to Insight Meditation (7 week series - 10/25-12/13) - With Ted Jones

Thu 10/25/18 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Insight meditation is a time tested method of mind training that enables us to change our relationship to each moment’s experience, and thus our lives. In this seven week series we will systematically explore how to calm and steady the mind and see with more clarity into our lives.  As we strengthen this capacity we begin to move from suffering and reactivity to responsiveness, freshness and ease.  We learn to touch and live in the mindful moment.  Although this series is designed for beginners, all are welcome and students may choose to repeat this series as new material will be introduced each time.

This class series runs from 10/25-12/13 (no class on 11/22)

Read About Ted Jones

Sign up

You must be pre-registered to attend.  There are no drop-in classes.

To pay by check or read our refund policy, click here

Children's Program for Ages 3-9

Sat 10/27/18 - 10:00am to 11:30am

Our Children’s Program is geared toward three to nine year old children.  Family members are welcome to join in.  In addition to learning about the Buddha and different types of meditation, i.e., sitting, walking and lying meditation, the children will be exposed to a particular Buddhist theme.  This October's program will be geared towards the teaching of gratitude.  A story, songs and some children’s yoga will be provided.  Following the program, a snack will be offered. There is no fee and donations are welcome.

Pre-registration is required due to space limitations in our building.  There is no fee for this program, so to register please send an email to: meditate@IMCNewburyport.org with the names and ages of the children who will attend, as well as names of adults who will attend.