Gentle Perseverance and Resilience: An Insight Meditation Retreat
Tara Mulay, Rachel Lewis, and Jeanne Corrigal
Monday, December 28 – Wednesday, December 30
During this three-day insight meditation retreat, we will explore the liberating potential of a quality of mind that is an essential accompaniment to mindfulness. “Viriya” in Pali, the language of the Buddha’s teachings, describes one of the seven factors of awakening as well as one of the ten perfections, or paramis. While viriya is often translated simply as “energy” or “effort,” this heart quality actually involves cultivation of a gentle perseverance that is nourishing and sustaining. Viriya gives us the courage to be true to our deepest values and to turn again and again to the practice whenever we face challenges in life. During this mindfulness meditation retreat we will connect with this source of gentle strength as a way to nurture ourselves in this moment and to enter into the fresh beginnings of the new year.
For this course, sliding scale fees are $120, $195, or $300. We also offer a scholarship fee of $60, 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 – all times listed in Eastern Standard Time EST:
Note: all sessions (except Q&R sessions – questions & responses) will be recorded and posted so you can view it later if you miss one.
Monday, December 28
10 am – 11 am – Opening Session – all teachers
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Dharmette & Guided Meditation – Jeanne
3 pm – 5 pm – Q&R; Guided Stationary and Walking
(or Other Movement) Meditation – all teachers
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Dharmette & Guided Meditation – Rachel
Tuesday, December 29
10 am – 11 am – Guided Meditation & Instructions – all teachers
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Dharmette & Guided Meditation – Tara
3 pm – 5 pm – Q&R; Guided Stationary and Walking
(or Other Movement) Meditation – all teachers
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Dharmette & Guided Meditation – Jeanne
Wednesday, December 30
10 am – 11 am – Guided Meditation & Instructions – all teachers
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Dharmette & Guided Meditation – Rachel
3 pm – 3:45 pm – Q&R – all teachers
4 pm – 4:45 pm – Closing thoughts – 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.
Rachel Lewis is a participant in the 2017-2021 IMS Teacher Training Program, as well as a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program and Community Dharma Leaders training. She began practicing meditation while completing her physics PhD at Yale. She has spent over 450 nights on silent retreat since 2003, including two three-month retreats. She developed a songbook of Buddhist music including her own choral arrangements of traditional chants. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Insight World Aid. She has taught classes and retreats in British Columbia since 2010, including at a prison and in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side.
Jeanne Corrigal has been practicing since 1999, is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader Program, and the guiding teacher for theSaskatoon Insight Meditation Community. Jeanne is a member of the mixed heritage Métis Nation, one of three Indigenous communities recognized in Canada. One of her first teachers in loving presence was Cree Elder Jim Settee. She is a participant in the 2017-2021 IMS teacher training program.
Guidelines For Your Home Retreat
