Monday Open Practice Period

Mon 08/12/19 - 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.

Monday Evening Silent Meditation

Mon 08/12/19 - 7:00pm to 7:45pm

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.

Tuesday Morning Silent Meditation

Tue 08/13/19 - 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 08/14/19 - 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.

Present Moment Poetry (Registration Closed) - With Matthew Daniell

Wed 08/14/19 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Great poetry often comes from the depths of seeing deeply into life.  Used wisely, poetry can move us inwardly us to live more freshly in the moments that make up our lives. In this four week series, we will read poetry that arises from, and leads us back to, a depth of feeling and connection and intimacy with the mystery of being alive.  One poem will be emailed to you each week to inform your practice at home, and will be used as a touchstone for discussion in class.

Thursday Morning Silent Meditation

Thu 08/15/19 - 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.

Introduction to Insight Meditation (5 week class - 7/18-8/15)(registration closed) - With Ted Jones

Thu 08/15/19 - 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 five 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 will run from July 18 - August 15.  There are no drop-in classes; you must be pre-registered to attend.

Embodying the Feminine in Buddhism - Bowing to Kwan Yin - With Rebecca Bradshaw

Sun 08/18/19 - 9:00am to 12:30pm

Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva manifestation of compassion, known as "the one who hears the cries of the world with ease." For this first half day retreat in our yearlong program “Embodying the Feminine in Buddhism”, we will engage in a bowing practice from Mahayana (later) Buddhism. Developing the qualities of surrender and compassion, we will devote this time to cultivating a heart that can engage with the suffering of this world with ease and wholeheartedness. Each student will be encouraged to bow in a way that is comfortable for them, ranging from a nod to a full bow. 

This year-long program (for all genders) will use our mindfulness practice to develop and nurture what are known as the feminine aspects of being: the receptive, relational, intuitive, the embodied in the natural world. Living in a patriarchal culture which values doing, being productive, being goal oriented, and transcendence, many of us have lost touch with the energy of being, immanence, and listening in stillness. We will meet for a residential weekend retreat and five half-day retreats during the year to support each other in discovering the strength of our feminine energy within a Buddhist context. Some themes to be covered include: Sense based versus thought based reality, stories of our female Buddhist elders, mindfulness and being in nature, circle versus line energy, developing the graceful heart, Kwan Yin practice, nurturing surrender, and relational mindfulness.

Sign up

Dates and times for the five half day retreats:

August 18  - 9am-12:30pm
October 27 - 1:30pm-5pm
January 5, 2020 - 9am-12:30pm
March 15 - 1:30pm-5pm
May 17 - 1:30pm-5pm

If you would like to sign up for the entire five half day series, a discounted price of $140 Members/$180 Non-Members will be extended.  Please contact the Director, Debra Sullivan at meditate@imcnewburyport.com to take advantage of this offer.

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