Wise Intention: Insight & Lovingkindness
with Winnie Nazarko and Tara Mulay
Sunday, July 11 – Thursday, July 15
Meeting format (During program sessions, you will be able to see and hear the teacher, as well as other program participants, and they will be able to see and hear you if you want).
The teachers will offer guidance in vipassana (insight) meditation within a framework of goodwill and compassion for self, others, and whatever arises in our lives. By fusing wisdom and compassion in this way, we become reliably kind and skillful in both our practice and daily life.
Participants will receive instructions for both seated and walking insight meditation, as well as for metta (goodwill) practice. Practice meetings to explore retreatants’ questions will be available. Additionally, sessions of mindful movement will be offered by Malaika Tabors, supporting physical ease as we practice.
This retreat is open to both beginners and those who have well established practices of many years.
Fees
For this program, sliding scale fees are $160, $210, $260, or $400. Please select the highest rate you can reasonably afford. We also offer a scholarship fee of $80, 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. Select the rate of your choice when you register. Email imsonline@dharma.org for more information or to request a no-fee enrollment.
Registration for this program closes 30 minutes prior to the opening session.
Teacher Support
Most IMS teachers—like insight teachers around the world—offer their teachings freely, and rely on the generosity of students for their livelihood. Teachers do not generally receive compensation from IMS program fees, though IMS may offer a modest advance to ensure financial support and the continuation of the teachings. Click here to learn more about teacher support. There will be an opportunity to offer a contribution to your teachers at the end of your program, or you may donate now.
REGISTER HERE
Daily Schedule – all times listed in Eastern Time ET:
Note: all sessions will be recorded and posted so you can view it later if you missed one
Sunday, July 11
10 am – 11 am – Opening Session
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm – Meditation Instructions, Sit, Q&A
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm – Loving Kindness Meditation
5 pm – 6 pm – Dharma Talk
Monday, July 12 – Wednesday, July 14
10 am – 11 am – Morning Instructions, Sit, Practice Discussion
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm – Guided Movement Practice with Malaika
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm – Loving Kindness Meditation
5 pm – 6 pm – Dharma Talk
Thursday, July 15
10 am – 11 am – Morning Sit, Practice Discussion
12 – 12:45 pm – Closing Session
REGISTER HERE
Teacher Bios
Winnie Nazarko attended her first meditation retreat in 1981, after a co-worker convinced her that it would be interesting. And it was interesting, just not in the way she expected. After that long weekend with Stephen and Andrea Levine, she knew she had touched something deeply truthful, although she couldn’t quite describe it. It did, however, seem to do with transparency of being, equanimity, and lack of fear.
This was the beginning of a period of intensive dharma search and practice, bringing her into connection with many outstanding teachers. Among these have been Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Steve Armstrong, Kamala Masters, and Jack Kornfield. From their diversity of teaching styles, she came to appreciate the very individual ways the Dharma is expressed through the prism of specific personalities and life experiences. While the truth is universal, the expression of that truth is personal and uses the language of direct experience.
Winnie’s own orientation to practice is rooted in a background of human service work and the desire to relieve human suffering. After years of work with issues of violence, and hunger, it became apparent that the largest single impediment to collective human progress is the level of development of the average human mind.
In 1998, she was asked to teach the Dharma by Joseph Goldstein. She does so to help people open their full potential, in the interest of their own happiness and well-being and for the benefit of others who their lives affect.
Winnie’s teachings are rooted in the Eight Fold Path taught by the Buddha, with particular emphasis on aligning motivation with the student’s highest and wisest aspiration. Letting go (renunciation) and self-compassion are taught as essential, foundational attitudes supporting practice. Meditation instructions draw on a variety of approaches, and emphasize grounding, embodiment, and equanimity which can be carried into daily life. When appropriate, students are given customized instructions which work with the actual experiences they are having, rather than insisting one method of practice works in all cases. The emphasis is on “skillful means”, understanding that students come to meditation from many different circumstances and experiences.
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.
Guidelines For Your Home Retreat
