Welcome to Insight Western Mass (IWM)
Upcoming OfferingsWe request pre-registration for courses and retreats. Please plan to register 7 days before the start of a course or retreat to ensure it runs as scheduled (unless otherwise noted). All other offerings are open.
Each offering will list if it’s in-person (locations may vary), Zoom, or hybrid. Our COVID protocols vary based on teacher preferences; please see individual descriptions for each offering. For downloadable fliers to print or share digitally, please scroll down to the green box on the right. Watch for more information and new details in upcoming email blasts and here on our website. See Past Offerings and/or Give Teacher and/or Center Dana: We use the same Zoom link for all public offerings unless otherwise noted. TBD whether Zoom or in-person or hybrid, unless noted.
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Resting in the middle of all things: a talk on Equanimity with Kristina Baré Wednesday, September 20; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET 
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
A dharma talk on the Sacca Parami with Aishah Shahidah Simmons Wednesday, September 27; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET 
Affinity Group, in-person/hybrid at IWM
Queer & Trans (LGBTQIA2S+) Affinity Group (fourth Thursdays) Thursday, September 28; 7:15 - 8:45pm ET 
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk with Chris Crotty Wednesday, October 4; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET 
Daylong retreat, in-person at IWM
Beginners Retreat with Manny Mansbach and Bernadine Mellis Saturday, October 7; 10:00am - 4:00pm 
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Composting Greed and Watering Seeds of Liberation with JD Doyle Wednesday, October 11; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET 
Daylong retreat, in-person/hybrid; Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St, Florence; vaccination required, masks optional
The Power of Our Original Goodness with Lama John Makransky Sunday, October 15; 9:30am - 5:00pm Check back for updates about IWM weekly Wednesday evening Dharma talks as well as upcoming courses and retreats.
Course, via Zoom
The Path of Mindfulness of Body with Nick Boutros 4 Tuesdays: October 31, November 7, 14, and 21 
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk with Jean Esther Wednesday, October 25; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET |
in-person/hybrid at Edwards Church in Northampton;
masks required (N95, KN95, Kf94) Dharma Practice in Daily Life and The Path of Liberation An afternoon of Question & Response with Joseph Goldstein facilitated by Devin Berry Sunday, September 17; 2:00 - 4:00pm ET
for in-person, click here for livestream/recording, click here (Pls note: a unique livestream link will be sent to those who register; we will not be using IWM's Public Zoom Link.) 
Community practices are offered both as
in-person/hybrids and as Zoom only. Please check below for more information. For descriptions and more info, click here *Mondays, led by a Community Dharma Steward 5:30 - 6:00 Meditation 6:00 - 6:15 Brief Dharma description 6:15 - 6:45 Discussion/Questions Second and fourth Mondays in person (hybrid when noted); all other Mondays are Zoom only. August & September topic: Paramis (No open practice/discussion on 9/25 in deference to the Jewish holiday.) Tuesdays, peer led, via Zoom 7:45 - 8:30am + discussion Wednesdays Sitting 7:00 - 7:30pm, dharma talk 7:35 - 8:30pm Check individual offerings to see whether via Zoom or in-person/hybrid Thursdays, led by a Community Dharma Steward, via Zoom 7:45 - 8:30am + discussion Fridays, unguided peer led, via Zoom 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.
This fall, IWM would like to offer White and Awakening in the Dharma (WAD), a six-month, 12-session study and practice program for white-identified practitioners. WAD is designed to afford the opportunity to turn with mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion towards the manifestations of racism, white supremacy culture, and privilege in our society and in ourselves. For more information, click here. To register, click here. 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.
More information... For more about our Queer & Trans group, click here. For more about our BIPOC group, click here. If you're interested in holding space for one of these groups, please email us at leadership@insightwma.org. |
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
In-person/hybrid at the Florence Civic Center
Radical Friendship - registration re-opens soon
with Kate Johnson
Saturday, November 11; 2:00 - 4:00pm ET
Radical Friendship - registration re-opens soon
with Kate Johnson
Saturday, November 11; 2:00 - 4:00pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, November 15; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, November 15; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Tuere Sala
Wednesday, November 29; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Tuere Sala
Wednesday, November 29; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Greg Scharf
Wednesday, December 6; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Greg Scharf
Wednesday, December 6; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Ongoing program, via Zoom
White & Awakening in the Dhamma
with Bernadine Mellis and Lore Detenber
First and third Mondays, 12/4 - 5/20; 12:30 - 2:30pm ET
White & Awakening in the Dhamma
with Bernadine Mellis and Lore Detenber
First and third Mondays, 12/4 - 5/20; 12:30 - 2:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, December 13; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, December 13; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jill Shepherd
Wednesday, December 20; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jill Shepherd
Wednesday, December 20; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
