Welcome to Insight Western Mass (IWM)
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Dharma Talk, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks; vaccination required and masks optional (same-day testing required if you plan to remove your mask)
Waking Up in This Very Life with Jean Esther Wednesday, May 31; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET |
Half-day Retreat, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks; vaccination required; masks optional
Wise Attitude: Nurturing Ease While Facilitating This Path of Awakening
with Michael Grady
Saturday, June 3; 10:00 - 1:00pm ET
Wise Attitude: Nurturing Ease While Facilitating This Path of Awakening
with Michael Grady
Saturday, June 3; 10:00 - 1:00pm ET
Community Open Practice, via Zoom
Meditation followed by Blessing Circle (first Mondays)
Monday, June 5; 5:30-6:45pm ET
Meditation followed by Blessing Circle (first Mondays)
Monday, June 5; 5:30-6:45pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Changes in the Sand, How it May Affect All Beings
with Karen Waconda-Lewis
Wednesday, June 7; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Changes in the Sand, How it May Affect All Beings
with Karen Waconda-Lewis
Wednesday, June 7; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
The Wisdom of the Dharma
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, June 14; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
The Wisdom of the Dharma
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, June 14; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Affinity Group, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks
Queer & Trans (LGBTQIA2S+) Affinity Group (fourth Thursdays)
Thursday, June 22; 7:15 - 8:45pm ET
Queer & Trans (LGBTQIA2S+) Affinity Group (fourth Thursdays)
Thursday, June 22; 7:15 - 8:45pm ET
Dharma Talk, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks; vaccination required; masks optional
The Five Remembrances
with Nick Boutros
Wednesday, June 28; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
The Five Remembrances
with Nick Boutros
Wednesday, June 28; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
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Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk with Bernadine Mellis Wednesday, July 5; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET |
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Ayyā Dhammadīpā
Wednesday, July 12; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Ayyā Dhammadīpā
Wednesday, July 12; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Michael Grady
Wednesday, July 19; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Michael Grady
Wednesday, July 19; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Check back for updates about IWM weekly Wednesday evening Dharma talks as well as upcoming courses and retreats.
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Dave Smith
Wednesday, August 2; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Dave Smith
Wednesday, August 2; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Half-day Retreat, in-person/hybrid at the Florence Civic Center; watch for updates
The Dharma of Homecoming in Times of Fear
with Lama Rod Owens
Sunday, August 6; 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
The Dharma of Homecoming in Times of Fear
with Lama Rod Owens
Sunday, August 6; 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
Wednesday, June 7; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
We are currently 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 (update: five drop-ins were offered in February)
- Attend a special event on February 25 when Kate Johnson comes to IWM! -- POSTPONED
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 - 6:00 Meditation
6:00 - 6:15 Brief Dharma description
6:15 - 6:45 Discussion/Questions
Second and fourth Mondays in person/hybrid
June topic: Brahma Viharas
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.
More information...
More information...
Before the pandemic, we offered the following groups, which happened in person at the center: Parents, Queer/Trans, Chronic illness/disability, BIPOC, and Young Adults.
In addition to the Queer/Trans/LGBTQIA2S+ group - which is already scheduled to start up again, monthly on fourth Thursdays, beginning in June - we would like to re-start as many of these as we can, and are reaching out to people who are still involved in the sangha who used to attend or host some of them. If you would be interested in attending and/or holding space for one of these groups, please email us at leadership@insightwma.org.
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Michael Grady
Wednesday, August 9; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Michael Grady
Wednesday, August 9; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, August 30; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, August 30; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, definitely Zoom; TBD if in-person/hybrid
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, September 6; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, September 6; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Michael Grady
Wednesday, September 13; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Discussion
with Michael Grady
Wednesday, September 13; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Edwards Church, Northampton; watch for updates
Joseph Goldstein
Saturday, September 17
Details to follow.
Joseph Goldstein
Saturday, September 17
Details to follow.
Single Day Class, in-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks
Single Day Class
with Michael Grady
Saturday, September 30; 10:00am - 12:00pm ET
Single Day Class
with Michael Grady
Saturday, September 30; 10:00am - 12:00pm ET
Dharma Talk, via Zoom
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with JD Doyle
Wednesday, October 11; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with JD Doyle
Wednesday, October 11; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
In-person/hybrid at the Florence Civic Center; watch for updates
Retreat
with Lama John Makransky
Sunday, October 15; time TBD
Retreat
with Lama John Makransky
Sunday, October 15; time TBD
In-person/hybrid at IWM in Eastworks
Course
with Nick Boutros
4 Tuesdays: October 24, 31, November 7, and 14
Course
with Nick Boutros
4 Tuesdays: October 24, 31, November 7, and 14
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
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk
with Jean Esther
Wednesday, October 25; 7:00 - 8:30pm ET
TBD
Half-day Retreat
with Carolyn West
Saturday, October 28
Half-day Retreat
with Carolyn West
Saturday, October 28
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
In-person/hybrid at the Florence Civic Center; watch for updates
Radical Friendship
with Kate Johnson
Saturday, November 11; 2:00 - 4:00pm ET
Radical Friendship
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 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
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
Daylong Retreat; in-person; watch for updates
Insight Dialogue
with Jan Surrey and Florence Meleo-Meyer
Saturday, December 2
Insight Dialogue
with Jan Surrey and Florence Meleo-Meyer
Saturday, December 2
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
*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.