Staff Life ~ Staff Sangha Program

In addition to ensuring the smooth operations of retreats through daily job performance, IMS staff members collectively hold a significant responsibility for protecting and strengthening the energy of this spiritual refuge.

To this end, a Sangha Program has been created to support the investigation of the teachings, the development of individual practices and the deepening of a spirit of service. The program is designed to help staff bring greater mindfulness and kindness into social interactions and to grow in wisdom and compassion.

Resident Teachers implement this program and guide employees year-round in the integration of meditation practice with daily life and work. They highlight the perspective that all life situations, whether individual or interpersonal, are opportunities for awareness.

Elements of the Staff Sangha Program include:

• Monthly teachings and discussions led by Andrew Olendzki, Executive Director of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS)
• Kalyana Mitta (Spiritual Friends) groups – small peer groups that meet twice each month to discuss practice topics, facilitated by our Resident Teachers
• Dharma meetings twice each month for staff departments, together with a Resident Teacher
• Optional individual interviews with Resident Teachers
• A Work Retreat day each month
• Optional daily meditations in the staff sitting area
• An annual week-long staff retreat

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