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By Rebecca Bradshaw, IPV Guiding Teacher Those of us who are on the front lines of activism related to climate and social justice (or even those who are just paying attention to the immense amount of suffering happening in our world) need to find a way that we can stay engaged and yet not get overwhelmed with the scope of suffering we encounter day after day. The Buddhist teachings of the Brahmaviharas, or Heavenly Homes, offers a way for the heart to navigate compassion in the face of ongoing moral injuries that we experience by being on the front lines. They offer a sane and balanced way to keep the heart open.
A number of years ago I worked for many years in community mental health in the inner-city. At first I was overwhelmed by the amount of suffering, trauma, and oppression that I engaged with. By consciously engaging with the Brahmaviharas, I learned to care, stay connected, and avoid getting overwhelmed. We can all find that even in situations with lots of suffering, we can develop flexibility in what the heart notices, keeping the heart joyous and spacious. During this three week class, we will practice together and support each other to care for this planet and all who live on her with openness and genuine connection. Register now for Buddhist Heart Practices for Climate and Social Justice Activists beginning October 1.
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By Rebecca Bradshaw, IPV Guiding Teacher The Buddha, in his amazing analysis of our human existence, taught about the existential stress of being human in the sense that we are sensitive and vulnerable creatures embedded in a world of change. We'll explore the secret to moving through this sensitivity and vulnerability with grace and poise. Join Rebecca and other sangha members for a sitting at 7:00pm and talk at 7:35pm. 
Rebecca Bradshaw is the Guiding Teacher of Insight PV, and one of the Guiding Teachers at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA. She has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1983 in the United States and Myanmar (Burma) and teaching since 1993. She completed her dharma teacher training at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where she is part of the three month retreat teacher team and leads retreats for young adults. She also teaches at other locations in the United States and abroad, including a Spanish language retreat. Rebecca has a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and works as a psychotherapist with meditators interested in supplementing their meditation practice with psychotherapeutic work. For Rebecca's 2019 Teaching Schedule, click here.
By Rebecca Bradshaw, IPV Guiding Teacher Sometimes not self is described as "nobody home." Anatta as emptiness. Let's come at it from the other side as "everything home." Anatta as fullness. As the great Zen master Dogen said, "Awakening is intimacy with all things." Let's explore anatta as non-separation from the great web from which all life springs forth. Where do we begin and where do we end? How do we experience this non-separation in our own lives? Join me on Wednesday, March 13, 7:00pm for an open sitting and dharma talk.
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AuthorsBlog posts are written by various IPV and guest teachers. Biographies can be found on the Teachers page. Archives
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