Effortless Mindfulness – author Lisa Dale Miller
2017-07-28 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-07-29 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-07-30 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-07-31 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-08-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-08-02 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-08-03 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-08-04 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 12 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.

Retreat in Netherlands - Insight Meditation
2017-07-29 | Netherlands, Netherlands
Awakening with Insight
July 29 – August 8, 2017 (10 nights)
Guided by: Shaila Catherine

This silent meditation retreat will emphasize the cultivation of mindfulness of breath, body, and mind to enhance the potential for liberating insight. By cultivating a calm, balanced awareness, we can dissolve any suffering that may entangle our hearts and discover our freedom in the midst of things.
This retreat is suitable for both new and experienced practitioners.
Shaila will continue to instruct students who choose to continue their concentration practice from the preceding retreat, but she will not repeat the concentration instructions for students who enter retreat after July 16. The focus for this retreat will be mindfulness of body and mind with an inclination toward insight.

Beginner's Orientation - Cancelled tonight
2017-08-01 18:30 - 19:20 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View , CA, 94040, United States
Our usual Beginner’s Orientation Session has been cancelled for tonight as the church needs the room for their Vacation Bible Course. Our next beginner’s orientation session will be the first Tuesday in September.
Event occurs the first Tuesday of every month
6:30 pm – 7:20 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, gives an orientation to Insight Meditation South Bay, enhances introductory mindfulness meditation instructions and introduces a short dhamma teaching. In addition, an introductory instruction is provided to Vipassana Practice (Insight Meditation). A beginner’s session is conducted the first Tuesday of the month immediately before the regular weekly sitting. Come for the introduction, stay for the regular program, and meet the members of Insight Meditation South Bay.
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.

Meditation Group is cancelled for tonight
2017-08-01 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View, 94040, United States
Our usual weekly meditation group and Living Wisely in the World speaker series has been cancelled for tonight because the church needs the room for their Vacation Bible Course. Our program will resume next Tuesday evening.

Living Wisely in the World: Caring for mind, family, society, and planet
A famous verse in the Dhammapada states:
“All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a corrupted mind, and suffering follows, as the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox … Speak or act with a peaceful mind, and happiness follows, like a never-departing shadow.”
This guest speaker series will explore the ways in which care for our minds leads to care for our families, societies and our planet.
July 18 —
July 25 —
August 1 — Tonight’s Meditation Group is cancelled. Church needed the room for an event.
August 8 —
August 15 —
August 22 —
August 29 — Topic TBD, with Shaila Catherine

Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation programs. Tuesdays we meet in Mountain View for our drop-in weekly program of meditation and teachings. Thursdays we meet in Saratoga for our Dhamma Classroom, which offer a series of structured courses with registration, and periodic drop-in practice events.
Today’s 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.

Course: The Buddha’s Teachings on Wisdom with Kim Allen and Diana Clark
2017-08-03 19:15 - 21:00, 2017-08-10 19:15 - 21:00, 2017-08-17 19:15 - 21:00 | Westhope Presbyterian Church, 12850 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA, 95070, United States
See for Yourself: The Buddha’s Teachings on Wisdom
A 6 week course led by Kimberly Allen and Diana Clark
Visit our Teacher Page for teacher biographies and photographs.
The Buddha had much to say about Wisdom, the natural quality of mind that sees things as they are and brings about liberation. In this 6-week class running from July 27 to August 31, we will explore ways to see more clearly — in our daily life and on the cushion — which can lead to greater ease and harmony, and wiser choices.
We will read early Buddhist texts (suttas) to support our study and practice. No prior experience is required. This course is offered as a six week series, with progressive lessons and sequential instruction.

July 27: Wise View (Diana & Kim)
August 3: Seeing with Wisdom: Impermanence and Unreliability (Kim)
August 10: Seeing with Wisdom: Not Identifying with What’s Happening (Diana)
August 17: Understanding the Conditions for Happiness and Suffering (Kim)
August 24: Wisdom and Compassion (Diana)
August 31: The Goal of Wisdom: Ending Suffering (Diana & Kim)

COURSE LEVELS:
This course is open to all practitioners. It is designed as a level 2-3 course. Click this link for a key to course level designations.
REGISTRATION:
Registration is required for this course. Registration will open two-three months 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. The base rate 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.
Ticketing Tip: You may purchase series tickets on any day of the series. When you purchase a ticket you are registering for the entire class series. So you only need to register once.
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.

Speaker Series: Living Wisely in the World
2017-08-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2017-08-15 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2094 Grant Road , Mountain View, 94040, United States
Living Wisely in the World: Caring for mind, family, society, and planet
A famous verse in the Dhammapada states:
“All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a corrupted mind, and suffering follows, as the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox … Speak or act with a peaceful mind, and happiness follows, like a never-departing shadow.”
This guest speaker series will explore the ways in which care for our minds leads to care for our families, societies and our planet.
July 18 — Robert Cusick
Talk Title: Cultivating the Foundation & Framework of Buddhist Practice
July 25 — Nikki Mirghafori
Talk Title: Tending to our Minds & Hearts, Caring for Others
August 1 — Tonight’s Meditation Group is cancelled. Church needed the room for an event.
August 8 — Lisa Dale Miller
Talk Title: The Skillful Means of Recognizing Empty Appearance
August 15 — Tony Bernhard
Talk Title: Liberation In The Midst of The Culture Wars
August 22 — Jennifer Dungan
Talk Title: Climate Change and the Dharma
August 29 — Shaila Catherine
Talk Title: The Role of Feelings and Thoughts in Decision Making

Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation programs. Tuesdays we meet in Mountain View for our drop-in weekly program of meditation and teachings. Thursdays we meet in Saratoga for our Dhamma Classroom, which offer a series of structured courses with registration, and periodic drop-in practice events.
Today’s 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.

Retreat in Netherlands - weekend
2017-08-10 | Netherlands, Netherlands
Liberating Attitudes
August 10 – 13, 2017
Guided by: Shaila Catherine
This silent meditation retreat will nurture attitudes that support peace, forgiveness, curiosity, letting go, and awakening. The weekend will include meditation instructions and dhamma teachings designed to strengthen mindfulness, clear awareness, and loving kindness.
This program is appropriate for new and experienced meditators. Priority in attendance will be given to participants who did not attend the preceding concentration or insight retreats with Shaila.

Retreat in Germany with Shaila - Aug 14-20
2017-08-15 | Studienhaus Schönwag, Weilheim, Germany
Shaila Catherine will lead a retreat in Germany, near Munich, August 14-20.
For more information visit: www.reden-und-schweigen.de
Click here for retreat information flyer.
Or contact: RetreatInGermany
