Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
Listen to the Soil: A Teaching
by Guiding Teacher Narayan Liebenson
 
A few weeks ago, my older sister and I attended the Zen Peacemakers annual retreat in Auschwitz. It is a retreat that began 20 years ago and this year was attended by 130 people - most of them practitioners - from 20 countries including Poland, Germany, Palestine, Lakota Land, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and, of course, the United States. It was multi-religious, including those from Jewish, Catholic, Islamic, Buddhist, and Native American backgrounds. Silence was encouraged much of the time, and each day we sat in meditation on the ground next to the railroad tracks where people were selected to either be put to death immediately, or, to endure the unbearable conditions of the camp. As well, each participant had a chance to bear witness by reading the names of some of those who had died there.
 
There was also time that was not silent. Time to speak with one another amidst the differences between us regarding background, religion, and experiences, and to imprint upon the heart the lessons of non-separation, of not making anyone into the "other." To say that this work is ongoing is to state the obvious: witness the recent efforts by some to make today's refugees into those to be feared and rejected.
 
Why did I want to go? I can't answer this. I can only say that it was a response to a calling that arose many years ago, perhaps when I was a child. Since beginning to teach, I've also recognized that many in our community have been affected their entire lives by what one yogi at CIMC called "a volcano that erupted before we were born that continues to spread its ashes." And although one may not have been specifically affected, the magnitude of horror, the unimaginable enormity of pain present within this land is part of our human heritage and affects us all. 70 years ago feels like today.
 
"Listen to the soil." These instructions were given at the beginning of the retreat and were a guide throughout. "Let Auschwitz be the teacher." In the willingness to open to the immensity of sorrow, there is also openheartedness to the even greater power of love and profound silence, and to the possibility of cultivating the beautiful within the heart.
 
Although I have much more to say, and invite anyone interested to talk with me, I am leaving it here for now. Some identify themselves as social activists but this is just an identity; we are all socially active. It is impossible to live in this world as it is and not be. It just depends on how. Being in Auschwitz reinforces the necessity of acting in ever more accordance with wisdom and compassion, instead of allowing oneself to be separated by fear. For this to be a reality and not just an ideal, we must continue to calm the mind and train the heart.
 
Letter from the Executive Director
 
As CIMC's 30th Anniversary year comes to a close, y ou're invited to join Larry, Narayan, and the rest of us on Sunday, December 6th from 3:00-6:00pm for a "Community Conversation & Celebration." We'll reflect on this milestone year, look ahead to 2016, imagine the next 30 years in the life of the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, share wonderful food and spend time with friends. I hope you'll join us.
 
I am delighted to let you know that CIMC's 2016 program schedule is online. In January, Madeline will offer a practice group focusing on the "Seven Factors of Awakening" and we will welcome visiting teachers Chas DiCapua, Andy Olendzki, Leigh Brasington, and Doug Phillips. In February, we offer retreats and practice groups with Larry and Narayan as well as a two-day workshop "Practicing with Physical Pain" with visiting teacher Oren J. Sofer.
 
All of this, and more, is made possible by you and your practice of generosity.
 
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the Center throughout the year - in so many varied ways -- and to those who have already responded to CIMC's Annual Appeal. Your gifts are truly vital. They sustain CIMC, support our teachers, keep the doors to our building open, and allow us to provide scholarships when needed. It is only through many, many contributions -- of all sizes -- that we'll reach our financial goal together. Please support CIMC's Annual Appeal as generously as possible.
 
With optimism and thanks,
Lynn Whittemore 

Intensive One Day Retreat
with  Larry Rosenberg
Saturday, December 5th,  9:00am-5:00pm
 
Since the time of the Buddha, intensive retreat practice has been considered crucial for the maturing of insight. The simplicity and support of the retreat environment encourage a continuity of awareness. Retreats can help develop qualities such as confidence, perseverance, mindfulness, concentration and the unfolding of wisdom and compassion.

This is a full day of meditation with few interruptions. We will spend the day sitting and walking together, experiencing the profound value of a day of utter silence and simplicity. There will be no Dharma talks or interviews to pull us away from the opportunity to settle into, and deepen, our practice. The retreat will conclude with an opportunity to discuss the experiences of the day with Q&A.
 

30th Anniversary
Community Conversation & Celebration
with Larry Rosenberg and Narayan Liebenson
Sunday, December 6th,  3:00-6:00pm
 
CIMC's 30th Anniversary year comes to a close with an afternoon Community Conversation & Celebration. We hope you'll join us as we reflect on this milestone year, look ahead to 2016, and imagine the next 30 years in the life of the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center.
 
3:00-4:30: Larry and Narayan will share their reflections and aspirations for the future of our Center. We'll have time for the CIMC community to share thoughts and hopes, questions and ideas.
 
4:30-6:00: Enjoy time with friends, meet others who love the Center and learn more about CIMC. We'll have wonderful food and a free raffle with plenty of chances to win 30th Anniversary give-aways.

No registration necessary.  Everyone is welcome!  We look forward to seeing you on December 6th.

Please note: If you previously purchased a 30th Anniversary dana bowl, please contribute the funds that you've raised for the Center by the end of the year. The December 6th event is a lovely time to bring in cash or check.  

The Four Noble Truths: Taking a Fresh Look
Workshop
with Matthew Daniell
Saturday, December 12th, 10:00am-4:00pm
 
The Four Noble Truths are the bedrock of the early Buddhist wisdom path. They are simply that there is suffering (or unsatisfactoriness) in life, that it has a cause (unwise clinging), a cure (freedom of the heart), and there is a way to effect the cure (the path of practice). They are considered 'Truths' for each one of us insofar as an examination of how they function in our life matches our personal experience. They are considered 'Noble' insofar as working with them helps us to change the quality of our inner life and how we relate to the world. 

In this workshop the silence of meditation, as well as presented material and discussion, will support us in taking a fresh look, again and again, at how this simple schema can be used to bring us more fully into the present moment. As our capacity and interest in being with the fullness of our life from the place of present moment awareness grows, we can learn to work with suffering that arises, not only on retreat, but in our daily lives, with more clarity, compassion, and ease. This workshop is suitable for experienced meditators as well as new students.

Matthew Daniell  has been practicing Buddhist meditation for over 25 years. He studied Zen in Japan, Tibetan Buddhism in India, and Insight Meditation in India, Burma, Thailand, and the United States. His teachers include Munindra, Dipa Ma, Larry Rosenberg, Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein, and Jack Kornfield. Matthew resides in West Newbury and is the primary and guiding teacher at IMCN. He also teaches at various retreat centers including the Omega Institute, the Philadelphia Meditation Center, the Insight Meditation Society, Kripalu, and CIMC. He teaches Buddhism at the Tufts University Summer School and is a member of the Religious Services Department at Phillips Exeter Academy where he leads meditation groups for students and faculty.


New Year's Eve at CIMC
with Nancy Riemer and Larry Peltz
Thursday, December 31st - Friday, January 1st
7:30pm-1:00am

On this last evening of the year, please join the community for an evening of reflection, intention, relinquishing, inspiration, poetry, suttas, discussion, dharma, sitting, walking and song. Light refreshments will be served after midnight. You are welcome to attend all or any part of the evening.  There will be a flow to the evening which will guide and pace it. No registration required. 

Nancy Riemer, LICSW has a longstanding meditation practice. She utilizes mindfulness in her psychotherapy practice and teaching. Her work has focused on trauma recovery, clinical hypnosis, creativity and spiritual development.
 
Larry Peltz, MD is a psychiatrist specializing in mindfulness and addictions. He is the medical director of the Bournewood-Caulfield Partial Hospitalization Program, which integrates mindfulness into the recovery program. He is the author of The Mindful Path to Addiction Recovery: A Practical Guide to Regaining Control over Your Life (Shambhala 2013). He has a longstanding meditation practice.  


December Drop-in Events

Please Note: The Center will be closed from Saturday,  December  19th through Sunday, January 3rd.  Members are welcome to practice during normal building hours, 7:00am to 10:00pm.
 
  
For more information, please visit www.cambridgeinsight.org.


Opportunities to Sit
All are welcome to attend group sittings. Group sittings are led by practice leaders -community members who are responsible for opening the front door before the sitting begins and ringing the bell at the end of the sitting.  Please plan to arrive on time.  

Weekdays
Morning Sittings : 7:00-7:45am 
Evening Sittings: 6:00-6:45pm ( except for Wednesday evening, when the sitting begins at 6:30pm


Drop-Ins
These are programs that do not require registration. 
 
Elders' Sangha
with Olivia Hoblitzelle and Ron Denhardt
Tuesday, December 1
10:30am-12:00pm

Beginners' Drop-in
with Narayan
Tuesdays: December 1, 8*, 15
6:00-7:00pm
*Practice Leader will teach December 8

Thursday Morning Retreat
with Practice Leader
Thursdays: December 3*, 10, 17
9:00am-1:00pm
*Narayan will teach December 3

Afternoon Tea and Dharma Discussion
with Madeline Klyne 
Thursdays: December 10 and 17
4:00-5:30pm

First Friday Evening of the Month for People of Color
with Melanie Cherng and Juan Sosa 
Friday, December 4
6:00-7:30pm
A POC Focus Group will take place from 7:30-8:45pm

Little Buddhas
with Jim Austin and Shea McInerney
Sunday, December 13
10:00-11:15am

35 & Under Drop-in
with Zeenat Potia 
Sunday, December 13
7:00-8:15pm
This group will not meet on December 6, 20, or 27
 
New Year's Eve at CIMC
with Nancy Riemer and Larry Peltz
Thursday, December 31 - Friday, January 1
7:30pm-1:00am
 
Wednesday Evening Program
Evening Sitting: 6:30-7:15pm
Mindful Break: 7:15-7:30pm
Dharma Talk: 7:30   -8:45pm
Tea: 8:45pm
You are free to attend just the sit, just the talk, or both.

Wednesday, December 2: Narayan Liebenson
Wednesday, December 9: Matthew Daniell*
Wednesday, December 16: Ron Dedhardt*
 
*Visiting teachers follow a 2,500 year old tradition of offering the teachings free of charge. A Teacher dana box will be on the entry table where you can offer donations  ($5 suggested).
    
The Center will be closed from Saturday, December 19th through Sunday, January 3rd. Members are welcome to practice during normal building hours, 7:00am to 10:00pm.