Classes

Classes meet at Insight PV from 7:15 – 9 pm unless otherwise noted. There is a suggested registration contribution for classes, and also an opportunity to practice dana to the teachers. See more on registration information and cancellation policies below.

Awakening to the Freedom That Is Already There
Jean Esther
Mondays, April 22 - May 20
Suggested contribution: $35 - 50 plus Teacher Dana

So often in our spiritual practice, we're trying to 'get somewhere' as if that 'somewhere' exists outside of our immediate experience, as if 'freedom' is something to achieve or attain. When this is the driving force in our practice, even on a subtle level, then experiencing true freedom from suffering feels elusive and out of reach, reinforcing the very suffering from which we seek  release. In this course, we will look through the lens of the Buddha's teachings on 'selflessness'.  We will invite ourselves, through our meditation practice, dharma teaching and shared inquiry to see clearly into the nature of mind and its perceived obscurations to the freedom that is already there. 

Equanimity: Happiness in Any Condition
Manny Mansbach
Tuesdays, June 4 - 18
Suggested contribution: $21 - 30 plus Teacher Dana

Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.Most of us habitually attempt to achieve happiness by arranging life’s conditions to our liking (when I get my health back/that promotion/new sweetheart/bigger home/etc, then things will be good).

The Buddha’s teachings on equanimity offer a very different and very compelling alternative. While we cannot stop the waves or challenges of life, we can learn to ride them with increasing grace, dignity and compassion. Some events need our involvement and others do not. By training to stop fighting with or resisting the way things are, we find greater spaciousness and understand more clearly that suffering and joy are as natural as night and day, allowing for the possibility of making better friends with life as it is. This class is an invitation to stop wishing for a different life, and to embrace the one we have with both arms and all our heart.

Readings, live and recorded dharma talks, and class discussion will all be a vital part of this class.

Experienced Students’ Group
with Rebecca Bradshaw
An opportunity to practice generosity or dana to the teacher

The Experienced Students’ group will continue to meet once a month on Thursday early evenings. There may be openings for new members. If you are interested, please email Rebecca Bradshaw at: rebeccab@mtdata.com.

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Registration Procedure
Please register IN PERSON for classes by arriving 15 minutes before the class or retreat. There is NO pre-registration by telephone or mail. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is limited for space reasons to about 25 people.

If you cannot make the first class you will have an opportunity to sign up, space permitting, at the second class. Classes are offered as a series, and for the purpose of building continuity in the class they are not open on a drop-in basis.

Registration Contributions
All registration contributions for classes, one-day retreats and weekend retreats are applied to the administrative costs of running the Center. We also ask participants to support the teachings by making a donation to the teacher at each event.  This is an opportunity to practice generosity (dana). In case of financial difficulty, scholarships are available.

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Carpooling
You may want to consider ridesharing to an event or ongoing class. Martin Urbel coordinates ridesharing to Insight PV events. If you are interested, please contact him at urbel@comcast.net.

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Cancellations for Insight PV Classes
If a class is cancelled because of bad weather or illness and cannot be replaced, participants will be offered a refund.  If there is a question about snow or other weather-related cancellations, please call Insight PV at 413-527-0388 after 3:00 pm.