March Sangha News
2-25-2025
Spring is on its way, and we’re excited to share what’s emerging at IWM:
EcoDharma Month in April
- We’re looking forward to Bernadine Mellis' hybrid month-long course on the Brahmaviharas on Thursday evenings in March, and Yenkuei Chuang's half-day Insight Dialogue retreat in person on March 22 – both open to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
- We're pleased to host dharma talks with Chas DiCapua, Michael Grady, Jean Esther, and Melanie Cherng.
- Affinity Groups, Open Community Practice sessions, and Saturday Sangha continue to meet regularly, and warmly welcome newcomers.
- Looking ahead, Kritee will offer a half-day retreat in April as part of a month-long EcoDharma program at IWM, and Dawn Scott will offer a half-day retreat in May.
- In June, IWM will offer our second residential retreat in 23 years! Down to Earth Dharma: Healing Our Relationship with Ourselves and the Earth will be held at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH from June 19-22, with Rebecca Bradshaw and co-teacher Zeenat Potia. Lottery for registration will open soon, please see below for more details.
- Looking way ahead, please save the date for a Benefit with Jon Kabat-Zinn on Saturday October 4th! Details forthcoming.
EcoDharma Month in April
A fundamental aspect of Buddhist doctrine is the teaching of non-separateness, or interdependence. In honor of that teaching, and acknowledging the climate and ecological crises we are currently facing, we invite the sangha to participate in a month of dharma talks and retreats focused on the intersection of our practice and earth care. We hope that this EcoDharma month can build a sustainable way for the sangha to stay engaged around the climate crisis together.
Throughout the month of April, we are thrilled to welcome many incredible teachers. Kaira Jewel Lingo, Zac Ispa-Landa, Aravinda Ananda, Zeenat Potia, and Rebecca Bradshaw will offer Wednesday night dharma talks, Kritee will offer a half-day retreat on April 13th, and Gina Siepel will return for a Contemplative Forest Walk on April 27th. This month of programming is organized by IWM Administrative Director Karen Clay and IWM Guiding Teachers Council member Bernadine Mellis.
Throughout the month of April, we are thrilled to welcome many incredible teachers. Kaira Jewel Lingo, Zac Ispa-Landa, Aravinda Ananda, Zeenat Potia, and Rebecca Bradshaw will offer Wednesday night dharma talks, Kritee will offer a half-day retreat on April 13th, and Gina Siepel will return for a Contemplative Forest Walk on April 27th. This month of programming is organized by IWM Administrative Director Karen Clay and IWM Guiding Teachers Council member Bernadine Mellis.
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers are an integral part of IWM, contributing their expertise, time, and energy to help keep things running smoothly. As a new feature of the newsletter, we’re shining a spotlight on individuals whose commitment and dedication mean so much.
Volunteers are an integral part of IWM, contributing their expertise, time, and energy to help keep things running smoothly. As a new feature of the newsletter, we’re shining a spotlight on individuals whose commitment and dedication mean so much.
Adam Cohen can be counted on to keep up with the latest technology to enhance people’s experience with IWM. An online publisher by trade, he has been supplying computers and accessories to the center for many years, as well as providing tech support. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, a shift was needed in how programs were delivered. “It seemed like a natural evolution – OK, we’re doing the Zoom thing now,” Adam recalls. For a while everything was online, but since then, hybrid offerings have become the norm, allowing participants to attend in person or from their homes. “This lets a much wider variety of people participate,” he says.
The online technology at IWM is continually evolving to meet people’s needs and stay current with updates and changes, Adam says. “This online evolution is pretty substantial. I imagine this is really expanding our audience, which is great.” It’s also important to “make it easier to be a hybrid host so more people can do it,” he explains. “When it’s easier, more different kinds of offerings can be broadcast in a simpler way, so it’s not distracting and is transparent to the teacher.”
Another approach Adam is exploring is using tablets as assistive technology for people with hearing difficulties who attend events in person. They can plug in headphones and listen to amplified audio of the event broadcast in near-real time (there is a brief lag, but as Adam points out, the alternative may be not hearing anything at all). “I like it,” he says. “I think the quality is very good. I hope people will do it more.” Using devices in this way takes some getting used to, but a little effort and adaptability can result in big improvements.
Adam is also exploring ways to integrate elements like YouTube audio to further enrich the programming. “We’re understanding better what the technology is capable of,” he says. “We’re edging our way into multimedia.” That could open up new possibilities for presenting and sharing information in various ways all at once, giving presenters more options to engage participants more fully.
By helping to make program offerings more accessible and inclusive, Adam is making an invaluable contribution to IWM’s continued success and growth.
Downloadable Flyers
The online technology at IWM is continually evolving to meet people’s needs and stay current with updates and changes, Adam says. “This online evolution is pretty substantial. I imagine this is really expanding our audience, which is great.” It’s also important to “make it easier to be a hybrid host so more people can do it,” he explains. “When it’s easier, more different kinds of offerings can be broadcast in a simpler way, so it’s not distracting and is transparent to the teacher.”
Another approach Adam is exploring is using tablets as assistive technology for people with hearing difficulties who attend events in person. They can plug in headphones and listen to amplified audio of the event broadcast in near-real time (there is a brief lag, but as Adam points out, the alternative may be not hearing anything at all). “I like it,” he says. “I think the quality is very good. I hope people will do it more.” Using devices in this way takes some getting used to, but a little effort and adaptability can result in big improvements.
Adam is also exploring ways to integrate elements like YouTube audio to further enrich the programming. “We’re understanding better what the technology is capable of,” he says. “We’re edging our way into multimedia.” That could open up new possibilities for presenting and sharing information in various ways all at once, giving presenters more options to engage participants more fully.
By helping to make program offerings more accessible and inclusive, Adam is making an invaluable contribution to IWM’s continued success and growth.
Downloadable Flyers