Description
In July 1985, CIMC opened its doors to nurture the contemplative life amid the complexities of daily life. As part of a series of events to celebrate CIMC’s 40th year as a daily life Dharma center, this afternoon workshop with renowned Dharma teacher Joseph Goldstein is designed to deepen understanding and application of Buddhist teachings in an open and welcoming setting.
CIMC Resident Teacher Madeline Klyne will introduce the afternoon workshop. It will begin with a short meditation followed by questions, response, and dialogue with Joseph, whose attentive presence and warm sense of humor will help practitioners of all levels discover the wisdom in their own words and practice. This program will be followed by a reception at the Center.
This special benefit event to celebrate CIMC’s 40th anniversary as a daily life Dharma center will help strengthen CIMC for the future by supporting innovative teachers and programs. CIMC is deeply grateful to Joseph for his generous contribution of time and teaching that make this workshop possible, and to all who attend.
Joseph Goldstein Since encountering Buddhism as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand in 1965, Joseph has dedicated his life to the study and practice of meditation. He began leading insight and loving-kindness retreats worldwide in 1974, co-founding the Insight Meditation Society, Forest Refuge, and helping to establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in Massachusetts. Joseph continues to sit extended annual silent retreats, teach in-person and online, and has recently started to write poetry.
CIMC does not offer scholarships for its benefit programs.
Closed Captions (CC) for CIMC Programs are generated through Zoom.
Attending an in-person workshop
- Masks may be required and are determined on a program-by-program basis. Check the program description for more information.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in and to find a comfortable place in the meditation hall.
- All phones, pagers, beeping watches, and other electronic devices must remain completely turned off while you are at the Center.
- Parking at CIMC is limited; we suggest taking public transportation to the Center whenever possible.
- Lunch will not be provided. Participants are invited to bring a vegetarian meal to the Center or may buy lunch in the neighborhood. A list of local restaurants and food stores will be available.
- No food or beverages, including water, are allowed in the meditation halls.
- We strongly recommend that you dress in layers since the temperature in the meditation hall varies throughout the day. The hall thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature range; however, we recommend you give yourself a range of clothing options, as individual preferences for warmth or coolness differ widely and cannot be accommodated.
- Please leave your shoes on the shoe shelves on the first floor and keep your valuables with you.
- CIMC provides zafus (round cushions), zabutons (large mats), meditation benches, blankets, and chairs. At the end of the program, we request that you brush off your zabutons and plump up your zafus. All other items should be returned neatly to where they belong.
- CIMC is a refuge. Out of compassion for those with chemical sensitivities, please avoid using scented products like lotions, deodorant, after-shave, hair products, perfume, clothes laundered with scented detergent or dryer sheets—before you come to the Center.
Attending an online workshop
- We will use Zoom for this workshop. Before your retreat begins, be sure to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with using the program, including the chat feature. Specifics about how we will use Zoom during your workshop will be covered initially; however, we cannot provide technical support.
- We ask that you treat our virtual meditation hall as if we were together in person, in the same room. The teachers and other yogis benefit significantly from your full presence and careful attention.
- Join each session of the workshop a few minutes early. This supports the teachers and your fellow participants.
- Ideally, power off phones and smartwatches for the entire time scheduled for the retreat each day. Please don’t check your devices during breaks. We suggest you put an “away” message on your email and voicemail and leave your devices in another room during workshop hours.
- Please keep your video on during our time together as much as possible. This supports a sense of connectedness and sangha.
- You will receive a welcome email from CIMC that includes the Zoom link, retreat schedule, and further information a day or two before your workshop.