Embodying Kindness and Wisdom: Insight and Lovingkindness Meditation Retreat
with Rebecca Bradshaw, Greg Scharf and Dawn Scott
Tuesday, April 13 – Sunday, April 18
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 online meditation retreat, open to all, we will deeply explore the Buddhist teachings of mindfulness infused with lovingkindness. Through this practice, we will cultivate our connection to ourselves and to life itself through body-centered awareness.
Developing intimacy with our physical, energetic and emotional bodies, we can touch essential truths about life. As we practice in this way, we gain the stability of heart that helps us move through this world with greater wisdom and compassion.
Participants will be supported by daily insight and lovingkindness meditation instructions, talks about the teachings, and meetings with the teachers. An optional period of mindful movement will be offered each afternoon.
Fees
For this course, sliding scale fees are $200, $325, or $500. We also offer a scholarship fee of $100, 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.
REGISTER HERE
Daily Schedule – times listed in Eastern Time (ET)
Note: all sessions (except opening ritual, groups, mindful movement, evening meditation and group closing) will be recorded and posted so you can view it later if you miss one.
Tuesday, April 13
4 – 5:30 pm – Opening Session – Rebecca, Greg, Dawn
7 – 8 pm – Refuges & Precepts, Opening Ritual – Rebecca
Wednesday, April 14
9 – 10 am – Sitting & Instructions – Greg
11:30 – 12:30 pm – Groups
2:15 – 3 pm – Mindful Movement – Greg
4 – 5 pm – Dharma Talk – Rebecca
7 – 8 pm – Guided Metta Meditation – Dawn
Thursday, April 15
9 – 10 am – Sitting & Instructions – Dawn
11:30 – 12:30 pm – Groups
2:15 – 3 pm – Mindful Movement – Greg
4 – 5 pm – Dharma Talk – Greg
7 – 8 pm – Guided Metta Meditation – Rebecca
Friday, April 16
9 – 10 am – Sitting & Instructions – Rebecca
11:30 – 12:30 pm – Groups
2:15 – 3 pm – Mindful Movement – Greg
4 – 5 pm – Dharma Talk – Dawn
7 – 8 pm – Guided Metta Meditation – Greg
Saturday, April 17
9 – 10 am – Sitting & Instructions – Greg
11:30 – 12:30 pm – Groups
2:15 – 3 pm – Mindful Movement – Greg
4 – 5 pm – Dharma Talk – Rebecca
7 – 8 pm – Guided Metta Meditation – Dawn
Sunday, April 18
9 – 9:45 am – Sitting, Instructions & Group Closing – Dawn
10 – 11:30 pm – Closing Session – Rebecca, Greg, Dawn
REGISTER HERE
Teacher Bios
Rebecca Bradshaw, a Guiding Teacher of the Insight Meditation Society, has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1983 in the United States and Myanmar (Burma) and teaching since 1993. She completed her dharma teacher training at Insight Meditation Society, where she is part of the three-month retreat teacher team, leads retreats for young adults, and serves as a member of the diversity committee. She also teaches at other locations in the United States and abroad, including Spanish language retreats. Rebecca emphasizes a body-centered approach to meditation, supplemented with large doses of loving kindness. Rebecca has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). For more information about Rebecca and her teaching schedule, you can visit her website at rebeccabradshaw.org.
Greg Scharf began meditating in 1992 at retreats taught by senior teachers from the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Drawn to practice and travel in Asia, he developed a long-term relationship with practice and service in Burma (Myanmar), and discovered a deep heart connection with Indian devotional traditions, both of which continue to this day. In the Fall of 1998 Greg ordained as a Buddhist monk and continued his training in robes through 1999.
Greg began teaching residential meditation retreats in 2007 and currently teaches both in the US and abroad. He is particularly interested in teaching longer, intensive retreats and has been teaching the Three-Month Retreat at Insight Meditation Society, and the month-long retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center for many years. In addition, Greg currently serves as a Guiding Teacher at IMS.
Greg’s teaching emphasizes the understanding that the meditative process is fundamentally an exploration of Nature and natural processes. In his teaching, he stresses the critical importance of bringing the qualities of kindness, compassion, and a sense of humor to meditation practice.
Dawn Scott has been practicing insight meditation since 2008, is a Diamond Heart practitioner, and currently serves as the Family Program Coordinator at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She teaches teen retreats at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme) and is a participant in the 2017-2021 IMS Teacher Training Program.
Information you might find helpful:
Guidelines For Your Home Retreat
IMS Online Program Etiquette
IMS Online FAQ’s
