Retreat, TBD (likely Zoom; in-person if conditions allow)
Winter Retreat
with Rebecca Bradshaw and Jean Esther
Friday, January 28-Sunday, January 30, 2022
Save the date; registration not yet open.
Winter Retreat
with Rebecca Bradshaw and Jean Esther
Friday, January 28-Sunday, January 30, 2022
Save the date; registration not yet open.
Welcome to Insight Western Mass (IWM)
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Common Read Drop-in, via Zoom; for more about our Common Read, please click here
Discussion of Radical Friendship: Chapters 3 and 4 - "Do what is hard to do" and "Endure what is hard to endure" with Jean Esther Wednesday, February 15; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET |
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Common Read Drop-in, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks; vaccination and masks required (N95/KN95 preferred). For more about our Common Read, please click here
Discussion of Radical Friendship: Chapters 5 and 6 - "Tell secrets" and "Keep secrets" with Cathy Repetti Saturday, February 18; 10:30am - 12:00pm ET -- in-person and on Zoom |
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Common Read Drop-in, via Zoom for more about our Common Read, please click here
Discussion of Radical Friendship: Chapters 7 and 8 - "Don't abandon" and "Don't look down" with Lore Detenber Monday, February 20; 9:00am - 10:30am ET |
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Joy of Practice: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration
with Nolitha Tsengiwe
Wednesday, February 22; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Joy of Practice: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration
with Nolitha Tsengiwe
Wednesday, February 22; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
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In-person/hybrid; The Garden House at Look Park; vaccination and masks required (preferably N95/KN95)
Radical Friendship with Kate Johnson Saturday, February 25; 10:00am - 12:00pm ET |
Community Open Practice & Discussion, via Zoom
Nurturing the Enthusiasm
Warm Invitation for Further Exploration
with Ruth Folchman (Community Dharma Steward)
Monday, February 27, 5:30-6:45pm
Nurturing the Enthusiasm
Warm Invitation for Further Exploration
with Ruth Folchman (Community Dharma Steward)
Monday, February 27, 5:30-6:45pm
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Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk with Jean Esther Wednesday, March 1; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET |
Community Open Practice, via Zoom
Meditation followed by Blessing Circle (first Mondays)
Monday, March 6; 5:30-6:45pm ET
Meditation followed by Blessing Circle (first Mondays)
Monday, March 6; 5:30-6:45pm ET
Course, via Zoom
Practicing Wise Attention and Effort in Working with Pain
with Michael Grady
5 Tuesdays: March 14, 21, 28, April 4, and 11; 7:00-8:15pm ET
Practicing Wise Attention and Effort in Working with Pain
with Michael Grady
5 Tuesdays: March 14, 21, 28, April 4, and 11; 7:00-8:15pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, March 15; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, March 15; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Nick Boutros
Wednesday, March 22; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Nick Boutros
Wednesday, March 22; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Joy of Practice: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration
with Nolitha Tsengiwe
Joy of Practice: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration
with Nolitha Tsengiwe
Wednesday, February 22; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
In-person/hybrid; The Garden House at Look Park; vaccination and masks required (preferably N95/KN95)
Radical Friendship
with Kate Johnson
Radical Friendship
with Kate Johnson
Saturday, February 25; 10:00am - 12:00pm ET
In January and February we will be hosting a Sangha-wide “Common Read” of Kate Johnson’s book Radical Friendship. This is a way for everyone to come together in reading and discussing this transformational book, which takes the Buddha’s teachings about friendship and applies them to our lives, and our care for others and for the world. Click here to read more.
There are three ways to participate:
- Join a Kalyana Mitta, or Spiritual Friends, group (update: groups are now full and underway)
- Join one or more facilitated drop-in sessions discussing the book
- Attend a special event on February 25 when Kate Johnson comes to IWM!
All community practices will be held via Zoom until further notice.
For descriptions and more info, click here
For a downloadable flyer, click here
For descriptions and more info, click here
For a downloadable flyer, click here
*Mondays, led by a Community Dharma Steward
5:30 - 6:15pm,
discussion 6:15 - 6:45pm
*Blessing Circle Practice on first Mondays. Orientations on second Mondays after the meditation practice.
Tuesdays, peer led
7:45 - 8:30am + discussion
Wednesdays
Sitting 7:00 - 7:30pm, dharma talk 7:35 - 8:30pm
Thursdays, led by a Community Dharma Steward
7:45 - 8:30am + discussion
Fridays, unguided peer led
5:45-6:30pm
Fridays, unguided peer led
5:45-6:30pm
For downloadable fliers to print out or share digitally, please click below:
Kalyana Mitta Groups - these spiritual friendship and study groups of 12 or fewer members will open periodically for new membership. In conjunction with IWM's sangha-wide Common Read of Radical Friendship, two new groups formed in January 2023.
White & Awakening in the Dharma (WAD): Creating Antiracist Sanghas - In 2020-2021, IWM offered a 6-month, 12-session study and practice program for white-identified practitioners. Since the program formally ended, the facilitators have been offering seasonal half-day retreats for graduates of the program. In 2023, discussions are underway about the possibility of a new program being offered.
IWM offers a variety of Affinity Groups for community members with specific needs to get to know and support each other as Dharma Friends. These groups of people with similarities help create a welcoming space for those who might not feel welcome when entering a new community. It is our intention to welcome a diverse group of practitioners and hope you will find refuge here.
Affinity Groups are on a COVID pause.
More information...
Affinity Groups are on a COVID pause.
More information...
Affinity Groups
Queer/Trans Practice
Parents Practice
Chronic Illness Group
Check back for updates about IWM weekly Wednesday evening Dharma talks as well as upcoming courses and retreats.
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, April 12; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, April 12; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Half-day Retreat, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks; vaccination and masks required (N95/KN95 preferred)
Cultivating a suitable home for the heart
with Chas DiCapua
Saturday, April 15; 9:00am-1:00pm ET
Cultivating a suitable home for the heart
with Chas DiCapua
Saturday, April 15; 9:00am-1:00pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jill Shepherd
Wednesday, April 19; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jill Shepherd
Wednesday, April 19; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Rebecca Bradshaw
Wednesday, April 26; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Rebecca Bradshaw
Wednesday, April 26; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Bernadine Mellis
Wednesday, May 10; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Bernadine Mellis
Wednesday, May 10; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Maureen Shannon-Chapple
Wednesday, May 10; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Maureen Shannon-Chapple
Wednesday, May 10; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Tara Mulay
Wednesday, May 17; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Tara Mulay
Wednesday, May 17; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Rebecca Bradshaw
Wednesday, May 24; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Rebecca Bradshaw
Wednesday, May 24; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, May 31; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, May 31; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, June 14; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, June 14; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Devin Berry
Wednesday, November 1; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Devin Berry
Wednesday, November 1; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Vance Pryor
Wednesday, November 8; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Vance Pryor
Wednesday, November 8; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
*December 2021 - About Our Name Change:
Last year, in the spirit of wise action, and in solidarity with the widespread awakening taking place around the US, the Board (which, at the time, included Tara Mulay as the Interim Guiding Teacher) engaged the sangha in a process which led to our new name: Insight Meditation Community of Western Massachusetts Dhamma Dena, Inc.
We undertook that process after considering what it is we were signaling as a community by including the word "Pioneer" in our name. Among other things, the word pioneer implies celebration of the colonization of this area by European settlers, often through acts of genocide and war.
As a sangha, we endeavor to live with compassion and lovingkindness for all beings. With these qualities in our hearts, and as the sangha aligns more fully with our collective aspirations of awakening, liberation, and true welcoming, we were eager to adopt a name that reflects our commitments. We’ve been using our new name for many months. And, now that we’ve made the necessary changes formally and legally, we will be bringing in the new year with a new URL and new email addresses.
Last year, in the spirit of wise action, and in solidarity with the widespread awakening taking place around the US, the Board (which, at the time, included Tara Mulay as the Interim Guiding Teacher) engaged the sangha in a process which led to our new name: Insight Meditation Community of Western Massachusetts Dhamma Dena, Inc.
We undertook that process after considering what it is we were signaling as a community by including the word "Pioneer" in our name. Among other things, the word pioneer implies celebration of the colonization of this area by European settlers, often through acts of genocide and war.
As a sangha, we endeavor to live with compassion and lovingkindness for all beings. With these qualities in our hearts, and as the sangha aligns more fully with our collective aspirations of awakening, liberation, and true welcoming, we were eager to adopt a name that reflects our commitments. We’ve been using our new name for many months. And, now that we’ve made the necessary changes formally and legally, we will be bringing in the new year with a new URL and new email addresses.