Faith: Trust and Confidence in the Practice
Tara Mulay, Roxanne Dault, and Devin Berry
Friday, March 5 – Sunday, March 7
Both Webinar and Meeting Format (Some program sessions allow you to see and hear only the teacher, while other program sessions will allow you to see and hear the teacher as well as other program participants).
In this world of constant change, our hearts and minds naturally seek a reliable refuge. Mindfulness allows us to meet our ever-changing experience with balance and receptivity, and lovingkindness imbues mindful presence with openness and genuine care, providing such a reliable refuge. Faith points to this felt sense of finding a safe harbor and resilience in the midst of all that is happening within and around us. This quality invites us to find confidence when we might be lost, to find inspiration when we are struggling, and to have trust in what will arise as we continue on this path.
During this weekend retreat, we will practice mindfulness and lovingkindness together as we explore the possibility of having faith in the natural unfolding of the practice and faith in our own capacity to experience liberation from suffering. We will cultivate a heart that is calm and open to all possibilities. People of all levels of experience with meditation practice are welcome.
For this course, sliding scale fees are $80, $100, $130, or $200. We also offer a scholarship fee of $40, and no-fee enrollment for those who request a fee-waiver. Our “Pay What You Can Afford” system supports the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive community and contributes to the health and vibrancy of the sangha. Email imsonline@dharma.org for more information or to request a scholarship or no-fee enrollment.
A note on dana (generosity)
Most IMS teachers—like insight teachers around the world—rely on the generosity of students for their livelihood, and receive no compensation from course fees. All IMS online teachers receive a modest dana advance from IMS to guarantee a minimum level of financial support. (Click here to learn more about the dana practice.) There will be an opportunity to offer a contribution to your teachers at the end of this course.
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Daily Schedule – all times listed in Eastern Standard Time EST:
Note: all sessions (except Q&R sessions – questions & responses and Closing) will be recorded and posted so you can view it later if you miss one.
Friday, March 5
7 pm – 8:30 pm – Opening and Meditation – Devin (All teachers present)
Saturday, March 6
10:00 – 11:00 am Meditation & Instructions – Roxanne
1:00 – 1:50 pm Dharma Talk – Tara
3:30 – 4:30 pm Check-In & Q&R – All teachers
7:00 – 7:45 pm Guided Meditation – Devin
Sunday, March 7
10:00 – 11:00 am Meditation with instructions – Tara
1:00 – 1:50 pm Dharma Talk – Roxanne
3:00 – 4:30 pm Closing, Check-In & Q&R – All teachers
REGISTER HERE
Teacher Bios
Tara Mulay‘s teachings stem from the lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw. She has gratefully drawn influence from many other teachers within and outside of the Mahasi lineage, including Howard Cohn, Kamala Masters, Gil Fronsdal, Joseph Goldstein, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, and Ayya Anandabodhi. Tara practiced criminal defense law in California for over 20 years. She was a leader of Mission Dharma in San Francisco, and in 2016 she co-founded the San Francisco People of Color Insight Sangha. She remained a core teacher with the group until the spring of 2019, when she relocated to Western Massachusetts. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Insight World Aid. Tara is of South Asian (Indian) descent. She felt initially drawn to dharma practice upon encountering the Buddha’s teachings rejecting social caste as a measure of worth and of capacity for awakening. She believes classical Buddhist practices, designed to cultivate compassion, non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion, are uniquely potent vehicles for empowering people in marginalized communities and effecting social change.
Roxanne Dault has been dedicated to this practice since 2006, sitting long silent retreats both in Asia and in the West. A teacher at True North Insight in Canada, she is also trained in Somatic Experiencing®, a body-mind approach aimed at relieving the symptoms of trauma. Roxanne also serves on the Board of Directors of Insight World Aid. She speaks French, English and is learning her ancestors’ language, Anishinaabemowin. Currently, she is participating in the 2017-2021 IMS Teacher Training Program.
Devin Berry has been meditating for over 20 years. His practice is primarily informed by the classical teachings of early Buddhism and the Insight Meditation tradition. He has undertaken many periods of silent long-term retreat practice. Devin completed the Dedicated Practitioners Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, where he is a visiting teacher. He is currently in the 2017-2021 Insight Meditation Society Teacher Training Program. Devin served as a core leader with San Francisco POC Insight Sangha. He is a community teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, CA where he co-founded the teen sangha and the Men of Color sangha. Devin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Insight World Aid. He has recently relocated to Western Massachusetts and teaches nationally.
Devin is passionate about the power of witnessing and storytelling as a liberation tool. He is deeply committed to the personal and collective liberation of marginalized communities knowing that through the integration of reflection and insight, clarity and wisdom give rise to wise action.
Guidelines For Your Home Retreat
