Beginner's Orientation
2017-06-06 18:30 - 19:20 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View , CA, 94040, United States
The Beginner’s Orientation session occurs the first Tuesday of every month just prior to our weekly meditation group
6:30 pm – 7:25 pm
Insight Meditation South Bay
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall
2094 Grant Rd., Mountain View, CA 94040
The Beginner’s Orientation introduces mindfulness meditation instructions, and provides an orientation to Insight Meditation South Bay. This beginner’s session is conducted the first Tuesday of the month immediately before the regular weekly sitting. Come for the introduction, and then stay for the regular weekly program, where you will meet the members of Insight Meditation South Bay and our teachers.
An overview of the practices that we teach can be found on our Vipassana Practice (Insight Meditation) page.
Meditation instruction is offered starting at 6:30. Please arrive on time as a courtesy to others.
You may bring a sitting cushion, but chairs are provided and you need only bring yourself.
For more information, please also see the Beginner’s Orientation.

Effortless Mindfulness – author Lisa Dale Miller
2017-06-06 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-07 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-09 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-10 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-11 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-12 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-06-13 19:30 - 21:00 and 10 more dates | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View , CA, 94040, United States
Effortless Mindfulness: Genuine Mental Health Through Awakened Presence
by Lisa Dale Miller
Published by Routledge April 2014
The event will include meditation and the author’s talk.

7:30-9:00 Evening Program includes meditation and a talk.
9:00-9:30 Reception with tea and treats.
Effortless Mindfulness promotes genuine mental health through the direct experience of awakened presence—an effortlessly embodied, fearless understanding of and interaction with the way things truly are. The book offers a uniquely modern Buddhist psychological understanding of mental health disorders through a scholarly, yet clinically useful presentation of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist teachings and practices. Written specifically for Western psychotherapeutic professionals, the book brings together traditional Buddhist theory and contemporary psycho-neuro-bio-social research to describe the conditioned and unconditioned mind. This in-depth exploration of Buddhist psychology includes complete instructions for psychotherapists in authentic yet clinically appropriate Buddhist mindfulness/heartfulness practices and Buddhist psychological inquiry skills. The book also features interviews with an esteemed collection of Buddhist teachers, scholars, meditation researchers and Buddhist-inspired clinicians.
In his foreword to the book Ron Siegel, PhD wrote, “In the pages that follow, Lisa Dale Miller takes us on an integrative adventure, exploring the intersection of ancient Buddhist teachings with modern neurobiology and clinical research and practice. While the work of many pioneers have facilitated the integration of mindfulness practices into health care and society by intentionally extracting them from their Buddhist roots, this book offers a different service: it looks unflinchingly at Buddhist understandings of the origins of human suffering and how various meditative techniques were designed to alleviate this suffering by fostering a radical psychological liberation.”
Anam Thubten Rinpoche wrote in his foreword, “You will find that the scholarship and many years of meditation practice of the author are reflected on every page. It is intellectually satisfying and also serves as a rich contemplative guide for mindfulness meditation and Buddhism in general. No matter what your background might be, as scholar, meditator or seeker, you will find many valuable insights in this work. It is such a joy to see Lisa’s gift in presenting many essential Buddhist thoughts in contemporary language and making them come alive.”
Effortless Mindfulness is available through Amazon, B&N, iTunes, etc., in digital and paperback editions.
Please visit www.awakenedpresence.com for more information about the book.

Weekly Meditation and Teachings in Mountain View with Shaila Catherine
2017-06-06 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View , CA, 94040, United States
Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga.
This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. Thematic series are periodically presented, but whether or not a topic has been advertised in advance, Shaila or a guest teacher will lead the sitting and offer teachings. See also weekly sitting.
Newcomers are always welcome. To help newcomers get acquainted with mindfulness meditation and IMSB, a senior member or teacher offers a beginner’s orientation beginning at 6:30 on the first Tuesday of each month.
IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings and generosity. Two bowls will be available at an event to practice dana for the teacher and IMSB; we encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.

Sutta Study - Anguttara Nikaya - Menlo Park
2017-06-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Location in Menlo Park, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
with Shaila Catherine
THE READING ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS SESSION IS LISTED AS MONTH 305 IN YOUR COURSE CONFIRMATION EMAIL.
Our nine month Sutta Study Course on the Anguttara Nikaya meets in three locations to serve the local and online community:

Friday mornings in Palo Alto
Wednesday evenings in Menlo Park
Monday evenings online

Enrollment will remain open for this course until the February meeting, and then closes for the remainder of the year. Registration details are on our Sutta Study Course 2017 page.
Newcomers are welcome to join each year. Registration for next year’s course will open in September with the course starting in January. General information about the sutta study program can be found on our Sutta Study Courses page.

Register Now! Strategies for Overcoming Distracting Thoughts. A 6-week course in Saratoga.
2017-06-08 | CA
Registration has opened for a 6 week course on Strategies for Overcoming Distracting Thoughts with Shaila Catherine and guest teachers.
Register now! Course starts June 8.
Visit the Events Page for more information and registration details: https://staging.imsb.org/event/course-strategies-for-overcoming-distracting-thoughts/

Course: Strategies for Overcoming Distracting Thoughts
2017-06-08 19:15 - 21:00 | Westhope Presbyterian Church, 12850 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA, 95070, United States
Strategies for Overcoming Distracting Thoughts
A course led by Shaila Catherine, Sharon Allen, Chris Clifford, and Diana Clark

June 8 — Shaila Catherine
June 15 — Diana Clark
June 22 — Chris Clifford
June 29 — Shaila Catherine
July 6 — Shaila Catherine
July 13 — Sharon Allen

Visit our Teacher Page for teacher biographies and photographs.
Mental restlessness is an insidious and pervasive hindrance that all practitioners struggle to overcome. We can refine our skills for working with all the various modes of thinking that distract us from being mindful: critical thoughts, planning, worrying, lustful thoughts, memories, internal commentaries, to name a few. This course focuses on a sequence of effective strategies that was taught by the Buddha and recorded in the Middle Length Discourses, Suttas 19 and 20. Each session will emphasize one of the Buddha’s practical instructions for dealing with obstructive mental patterns.
This course is offered as a six week series, with progressive lessons and sequential instruction.
WHO SHOULD JOIN:
Anyone may register for this course, but the material is developed for meditators who have had some previous experience with mindfulness meditation. Previous training in sutta study or retreat experience are welcome but not expected.
REGISTRATION:
Registration is required for this course. Registration will open two-three months (MARCH 1) prior to the start date of each course. Registration fees are non-refundable. To register select an option under the Tickets heading at the bottom of this page. If you are viewing this page more than two months in advance of the course, the ticket feature may not have yet appeared, so please check back later to register.
The sliding scale fee range is from $360 to $90 and will be shared between IMSB and the teacher(s). The lower end of the sliding scale is intended for those with limited means. The basic rate of $90 is estimated to cover the most basic costs such as rent and insurance for the specific class period. It does not factor in compensation for teachers or ongoing administrative expenses for IMSB. The scholarship rate of $45 offers an even lower rate for those with very limited financial means.
By choosing to give at the mid to high range of the sliding scale your generosity supports those with limited income to attend our programs, and it supports IMSB and the teachers, enabling the dhamma to thrive in the South Bay Area. We encourage you to choose the highest level that is appropriate for your economic situation. If you need additional scholarship assistance and can volunteer to help, please inquire with the registrar about service scholarships by contacting ThursdayClass.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY:
The basic registration fee is not tax deductible and non-refundable. Donations above the base rate will be considered voluntary tax deductible contributions. Each January the IMSB treasurer sends donors letters that acknowledge the accumulated deductible donations from the previous year. This annual letter will acknowledge the amount given that is above the basic rate and serve as documentation for tax deduction purposes.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All fees and payments are non-refundable. If it becomes necessary to cancel participation in a course, and the registrar is notified prior to the start of the first class meeting, your registration fee will be converted into a voucher creditable towards the fee for a future IMSB Thursday Class. Vouchers must be used within one year of the initial course start date. Cancellations that occur after the start of the first class are not eligible for the voucher credit.
To redeem a voucher, send an email to the registrar for the appropriate course and request to use your voucher credit as payment of the registration fees. If the voucher does not cover the base rate for the new class, the balance will be due to complete the registration process. Credits vouchers can be transferred to only one future course.
SUBSEQUENT PROGRAMING:
The Thursday night dhamma classroom will include an array of topics that will support the development of meditative skills and liberating insight. Please see our 2017 Calendar of Events for details. Courses will be led by experienced teachers and local experts in meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhism. Most classes will be appropriate for both new students and seasoned practitioners; any restrictions or pre-requisites will be noted in the course descriptions.

Sutta Study - Palo Alto
2017-06-09 10:00 - 12:00 | 3942 Duncan Pl., 3942 Duncan Pl., Palo Alto, CA, 94036

Day of Meditation with Shaila Catherine - change of venue to St. Timothy's Church in Mountain View
2017-06-10 09:30 - 16:00 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View, 94040, United States
The Monthly Day of Meditation previously scheduled to take place at First Congregational Church in Los Altos, has been moved to St. Timothy’s Church in Mountain View.
Instead of our usual 5:00pm ending time, we will end slightly earlier at 4:00pm.

A day of meditation with Shaila Catherine.
IMSB offers a day of meditation one Saturday each month. These monthly day long programs offer a consistent and easy opportunity for meditators to maintain a steady commitment to meditation, deepen their practice, explore various dhamma themes, and cultivate relationships with the community—and still be home in time for dinner!
The day long programs are usually structured with alternating sitting and walking meditations, augmented by meditation instructions, reflections, and teachings. Shaila Catherine leads most of the day longs, complimented by periodic guest teachers or community events. At most day long events, Shaila is available for individual consultations.
Shaila offers teachings at each event, usually aimed at developing meditative skills. Whether or not a theme is announced in advance, teachings will be offered to deepen understanding of the Buddhist path of practice.
There will be a pot-luck community meal around 12:30; please bring a food dish to share.
Everyone is welcome. There is no registration. Folding chairs are provided. Bring a mat and cushion if you prefer to sit on the floor. Beginner’s to meditation are encouraged to come on time since both sitting and walking meditation instruction are usually offered in the mornings.
These monthly events may take place at any of the churches where we meet—in Los Altos, Saratoga, or Mountain View. Be sure to double check the website event listing to determine the correct location.
IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings and generosity. Two bowls will be available at an event to practice dana for the teacher and IMSB; we encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.

Guest speaker: Refuge Amidst Tumult with Ann Dillon
2017-06-13 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View , CA, 94040, United States
Tonight we will have a guest speaker: Ann Dillon
Topic: Refuge Amidst Tumult
Speaker biographies and photos can be found on the Teachers Page.

Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga.
This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. Thematic series are periodically presented, but whether or not a topic has been advertised in advance, Shaila or a guest teacher will lead the sitting and offer teachings. See also weekly sitting.
Newcomers are always welcome. To help newcomers get acquainted with mindfulness meditation and IMSB, a senior member or teacher offers a beginner’s orientation beginning at 6:30 on the first Tuesday of each month.
IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings and generosity. Two bowls will be available at an event to practice dana for the teacher and IMSB; we encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.

Meditation Retreat in Santa Rosa, CA with Shaila Catherine and Ann Dillon
2017-06-15 - 2017-06-25 | Angela Retreat Center, 535 Angela Dr., Santa Rosa, CA, CA, United States
An Intensive Concentration and Insight Retreat
THIS RETREAT HAS FILLED. REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.
In 2018 we will offer two retreats in California: April 5-15, and September 27 – October 4. Information will be posted soon to this website for advanced registration.
with Shaila Catherine and Ann Dillon
June 15 – 25, 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017 – Sunday, June 25, 2017.
The retreat begins with registration at 1:00 pm on June 15; it ends at 11:30 am on June 25. Early arrivals can be arranged for Wednesday evening June 14.
Partial attendance can be arranged, but it must begin on the first day of the retreat.
The teachings on this retreat will be structured to support the development of concentration, mindfulness, and insight. The daily group instruction sessions will introduce mindfulness with breathing as a concentration practice, and will systematically develop the skills that lead to the deep absorption states of jhana. This retreat is an ideal opportunity to train in concentration and jhana practices with personal guidance from Shaila Catherine. It is the one retreat each year that Shaila emphasizes concentration and jhana, and systematically guides students through this powerful training method. Students who wish to embark on this training in concentration and jhana should read her book, Focused and Fearless, prior to the retreat. Click on our Concentration and Jhana FAQ page for more information about studying jhana and concentration with Shaila.
Jhana instructions will be offered, but this retreat is not limited to the training in concentration and jhana; students who want to practice mindfulness or metta without an emphasis on concentration are most welcome. Teachings will explore a range of subjects to support the growth of wisdom and cultivate conditions conducive for insight.
With single rooms for everyone, the facilities can support a range of practice approaches. The approach to teaching is flexible enough to nurture a broad development of practices that are appropriate to the individual meditator. Guided by group and individual meetings with the teachers, students may work with a variety of meditative approaches to progress in a manner and pace appropriate to their individual needs. Students who are not inclined toward concentration or jhana may choose to emphasize mindfulness, insight, and loving kindness practices. As the retreat progresses, some students may practice mindfulness of the body to enhance calm and presence; some students may intensify concentration to unify consciousness through the deep absorptions called jhana; some students may cultivate loving kindness and open the heart to the precious fragility of life; and other students may nurture insight into the functioning of perception and the nature of mind.
This silent retreat is structured with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, dhamma teachings, question and answer sessions, and teacher consultations.
Register early! Space is limited.
We keep this retreat small (approximately 35 participants and 2 teachers) to enable in-depth one-to-one guidance. It is a powerful and intimate environment for deep meditation practice—very suitable for dedicated practitioners and an ideal introduction to jhana practices.
TO REGISTER: Download and complete the AC2017 registration and waiver forms, enclose a non-refundable deposit of $250 (payable to Bodhi-Retreats), and return via email and/or postal mail to:
Katrina Bergbauer
225 Second Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
retreats

Form-Fillable PDF Registration Form – AC2017
Standard Printable Registration Form – AC2017
Waiver of Liability – AC2017

The 10-day retreat is designed for experienced students. Previous retreat experience in the insight meditation tradition is required, with a minimum of at least one week-long silent residential retreat. If you have less than one week-long silent retreat experience, your attendance requires approval from the teacher(s).
The retreat facility is handicapped accessible. Accommodations are all single rooms.
COST: 10 nights with single accommodation is $2000 – $990 sliding scale, plus a donation to the teachers at the end of retreat. The estimated actual per-person cost for this retreat (if we used a fixed rate) is $1500. By selecting an amount above $1500, your generosity supports those who need to select a lower rate to attend the retreat. This sliding scale will allow scholarship needs to be handled by self-selecting an amount lower than $1500.
Partial retreat option registration fees are below. Priority will be given to students who are registering for the full 10-days course.

3 nights (Thursday–Sunday) is $900 – $500 sliding scale
4 nights (Thursday–Monday) is $1000 – $600 sliding scale
5 nights (Thursday–Tuesday) is $1100 – $700 sliding scale
6 nights (Thursday–Wednesday) is $1200 – $800 sliding scale
7-10 nights (Thursday–Thursday, Friday, or Saturday) is the sliding scale of $2000 – $990

In addition, two or three people may register for a work-study retreat. These service roles have a registration fee of $675 and involve 3-4 hours of work per day (mostly kitchen work, grocery shopping in advance of the retreat, managing yogi jobs).
DANA: Compensation for the teacher is not included in the registration price. There will be an opportunity to offer donations to the teachers at the end of the retreat.
Co-Sponsored by Bodhi-Retreats and Insight Meditation South Bay

Course: Strategies for Overcoming Distracting Thoughts
2017-06-15 19:15 - 21:00, 2017-06-22 19:15 - 21:00 | Westhope Presbyterian Church, 12850 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA, 95070, United States
Strategies for Overcoming Distracting Thoughts
A course led by Shaila Catherine, Sharon Allen, Chris Clifford, and Diana Clark

June 8 — Shaila Catherine
June 15 — Diana Clark
June 22 — Chris Clifford
June 29 — Shaila Catherine
July 6 — Shaila Catherine
July 13 — Sharon Allen

Visit our Teacher Page for teacher biographies and photographs.
Mental restlessness is an insidious and pervasive hindrance that all practitioners struggle to overcome. We can refine our skills for working with all the various modes of thinking that distract us from being mindful: critical thoughts, planning, worrying, lustful thoughts, memories, internal commentaries, to name a few. This course focuses on a sequence of effective strategies that was taught by the Buddha and recorded in the Middle Length Discourses, Suttas 19 and 20. Each session will emphasize one of the Buddha’s practical instructions for dealing with obstructive mental patterns.
This course is offered as a six week series, with progressive lessons and sequential instruction.
WHO SHOULD JOIN:
Anyone may register for this course, but the material is developed for meditators who have had some previous experience with mindfulness meditation. Previous training in sutta study or retreat experience are welcome but not expected.
REGISTRATION:
Registration is required for this course. Registration will open two-three months (MARCH 1) prior to the start date of each course. Registration fees are non-refundable. To register go to the first event in the series and follow the instructions under REGISTRATION.
SUBSEQUENT PROGRAMING:
The Thursday night dhamma classroom will include an array of topics that will support the development of meditative skills and liberating insight. Please see our 2017 Calendar of Events for details. Courses will be led by experienced teachers and local experts in meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhism. Most classes will be appropriate for both new students and seasoned practitioners; any restrictions or pre-requisites will be noted in the course descriptions.

Guest speaker: Renee Burgard will speak on Mindful Self-Compassion
2017-06-20 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View , CA, 94040, United States
Tonight’s guest speaker is Renee Burgard
Her topic is Mindful Self-Compassion
Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation groups—Tuesdays in Mountain View, and Thursdays in Saratoga.
This group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. Thematic series are periodically presented, but whether or not a topic has been advertised in advance, Shaila or a guest teacher will lead the sitting and offer teachings. See also weekly sitting.
Newcomers are always welcome. To help newcomers get acquainted with mindfulness meditation and IMSB, a senior member or teacher offers a beginner’s orientation beginning at 6:30 on the first Tuesday of each month.
IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings and generosity. Two bowls will be available at an event to practice dana for the teacher and IMSB; we encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.
