Monday Open Practice Period

Mon 02/17/20 - 10:00am to 1:00pm

This is an opportunity for experienced students to come and meditate with others in a relaxed and open way.  There are no teachers giving instructions and no bells are rung. A senior sangha member will be there to open and close the building. Participants are encouraged to do sitting meditation and/or walking meditation in an unstructured setting.  We request that this period be devoted to only meditation and ask that you not read or write during this time. There is no registration and no fee; Donations are always welcome.  Not suggested for new meditators.

Loving Kindness Sitting with Community Prayer List

Mon 02/17/20 - 7:00pm to 7:45pm

Twice a month on the 1st and third Mondays from 7:00-7:45 there will be a community metta (loving kindness) support sitting.  This will consist of four parts: A community member will read a list of names at the beginning of the sitting* to be held with loving kindness intentions/prayers.  Then the group will then do a simple chant of repeating the terms: ‘metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), upekha (equanimity)’ for five minutes.  A 35 minute period of non-guided silent sitting (one can do metta, breath awareness, or open awareness.. as one sees fit). Finally the metta sutta (handouts provided) will be recited together to finish the session.  Click here for the metta sutta.

Nancy Winkler will be the primary group leader for these events.  Brad Balkus will continue to be the community leader for the silent sitting held on the off weeks.

*Anyone in the community may send Director Debra an email during the period up until the day of the sitting.  A new list will be generated after two weeks, and the old list nor longer used. You may resubmit names as many times as you would like. Please include the name of the person or persons you want to be read out loud, and a short message (so and so has such and such illness, or passed away, or…) if you would like to.  The center may edit anything submitted (for purposes of length) or leave requests out if deemed inappropriate (not in the spirit of goodwill, politically motivated, etc…). This list may sometimes also be read at other gatherings at the IMCN in the spirit of supporting our community.

This is a free offering, donations always welcome!

Tuesday Morning Silent Meditation

Tue 02/18/20 - 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.

Wednesday Open Practice Period

Wed 02/19/20 - 10:00am to 12:30am

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.

Introduction to Insight Meditation (7 week class - 1/9-2/20)(registration closed) - With Matthew Daniell

Wed 02/19/20 - 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 class 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 runs for seven weeks from 1/9-2/20.  You must be pre-registered to attend; there are no drop-in classes.

Cultivating the Heart, Clarifying the Mind (14 week class)(registration closed) - With Matthew Daniell

Wed 02/19/20 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Cultivating Kindness, Compassion, Joy, Equanimity;

and the Art of Insight Meditation 

The world we inhabit is full of strife, half-truths, conflict and loss.  To embrace the realities we face inside and out, the Buddha taught powerful practices to expand the strengthen our hearts while giving us simple present moment awareness tools to become wise and live skillfully with ‘things as they are’.  In this 14 week course we will work systematically each week with four classical heart based practices: loving kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekha). These use the power of intention to create positive heart based energies that complement and ultimately express the simple present moment awareness (mindfulness) at the core of insight meditation.

You must be pre-registered to attend.  This is a 14 week class that runs from 1/8-4/15 (no class on 2/26).  There are no drop-in classes.

Cultivating Kindness, Compassion, Joy, Equanimity;

and the Art of Insight Meditation 

The world we inhabit is full of strife, half-truths, conflict and loss.  To embrace the realities we face inside and out, the Buddha taught powerful practices to expand the strengthen our hearts while giving us simple present moment awareness tools to become wise and live skillfully with ‘things as they are’.  In this 14 week course we will work systematically each week with four classical heart based practices: loving kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekha). These use the power of intention to create positive heart based energies that complement and ultimately express the simple present moment awareness (mindfulness) at the core of insight meditation.

You must be pre-registered to attend.  This is a 14 week class that runs from 1/8-4/15 (no class on 2/26).  There are no drop-in classes.

You must be pre-registered to attend.  This is a 14 week class that runs from 1/8-4/15 (no class on 2/26).  There are no drop-in classes.

Thursday Morning Retreat - With Matthew Daniell

Thu 02/20/20 - 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

Note: You can pre-register for this retreat or pay at the door.  Pre-registration is not required.

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

This Too Is Welcome - With Matthew Daniell

Sat 02/22/20 - 10:00am to 4:30pm

Much of our initial emphasis in practice is to learn to let go and return to the breath, body, and senses when difficult emotions, thoughts, and sensations arise.  This approach calms the mind and heart and provides a place of needed rest, but it is limited. In this retreat we will learn to use this initial phase of practice wisely but also to open to whatever life presents; to include what one ancient text calls ‘the 10,000 joys and the 10,000 sorrows’. Come and begin to explore for yourself what can happen to the quality of our life, in and out of retreat, when we wisely embrace this one simple attitude ‘This Too is Welcome’.  All levels are welcome.

Sign up

Lunch: A volunteer will provide vegetarian soup, salad and bread at lunchtime. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch or a supplement for the soup, if they prefer. A microwave and refrigerator are available.

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

Children's Program for Ages 3-9

Sun 02/23/20 - 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 February's program will be geared towards the teaching of kindness.  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.