Insight meditation (vipassana) is the simple and direct practice of moment-to-moment mindfulness. Through careful and sustained observation, we experience for ourselves the ever-changing flow of the mind/body process. This awareness leads us to accept more fully the pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness that life inevitably brings. As insight deepens, we develop greater equanimity and peace in the face of change, and wisdom and compassion increasingly become the guiding principles of our lives. (IMS FAQ)
In order to help people who are new to meditation, we have volunteer mentors who offer their time to teach Insight Meditation based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, individually or to small groups. Mentors are not Dhamma teachers, but are experienced lay practitioners. The mentoring program is intended to cover the basic meditation instructions as the Buddha first taught them, along with some essential Buddhist concepts. Training sessions take an hour a week spread over four weeks. Please contact Brad Potts (brad.potts1(at)gmail.com) for help finding a mentor.
Insight Chicago holds workshops and days of mindfulness with instruction from local teachers. See the Events page for times and locations.
Check out our list of resources for MP3 audio of dhamma talks and sutta readings. For those who would like direct access to a teacher, there are options online. Teacher Andrew Quernmore and the Vipassana Fellowship offer a 90-day online course in Vipassana meditation. Sandra Hammond has offered an Individual Practice Development program. Please contact Sandra (sandrah(at)prairiesangha.org) for current availability. Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg lead an online 12-week interactive course in insight meditation.
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