“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”
—Thoreau
One week and 38 years ago, on July 21st 1985, CIMC opened its doors for the first time. It was a wonderful day of celebration! Now, almost four decades later, we have grown in so many ways while retaining the original vision that Larry and I and all of our CIMC teachers have cherished from the very beginning. Our original vision was the understanding that practicing – meeting what is with wisdom and compassion in the midst of the joys and challenges in our daily lives – can bring an immediacy of inner freedom. We have grown out of our teenage years and are now a mature center that has the capacity to offer shelter, guidance, and inspiration to many.
I never really knew how many until we began our online teaching program at the beginning of the pandemic. And with the reopening of our building and thus our being able to embrace those of you who first found our sangha from afar, we’ve been able to be more inclusive and to expand in ways that certainly warm my heart.
In honor of the past 38 years, I thought it was a good time to reflect on the ethos of CIMC that has nourished and inspired us throughout these past many years. Every insight meditation center shares similarities and at the same time emphasizes different aspects of the path. I deeply appreciate the connections we share with our sister centers – especially IMS as I love being part of the greater dharma family. I also value the ways that Insight Meditation Centers vary. Dharma doors are limitless and our centers offer access in a variety of ways. All Buddhist centers teach the four Noble Truths of suffering, the causes of inner suffering, the cessation of inner suffering and the path – and each differs in its emphasis.
What distinguishes CIMC? Well, because we are a non-residential center in the middle of the city, we are serious about seeing everything that happens in our daily life as our practice. This holds true whether we are engaged in daily life of work and family and other relationships or whether we are on retreat. Our daily life is our practice and whatever occurs becomes the material for inner liberation that respond to with greater wisdom and compassion.
Although we cultivate and encourage calmness and steadiness, these qualities are not enough. We practice not just for ourselves but for all beings in this world. At CIMC, we are aware of the importance of inclusion, representation, and belonging and we remain committed to helping to bring more teachers of color into the teaching community.
I myself have been part of a group of teachers from diverse Buddhist lineages who have met for the last 3 years with the intention of supporting Black dharma teachers. It is a true joy to be part of this ongoing group and I look forward to what the next chapter will bring.
We aspire to co-create a culture of kindness and wisdom, not just at CIMC but wherever we find ourselves. It bears repeating that our lives are our practice and our practice our life. Being able to live with oneself happily, with integrity and authenticity, vulnerability and strength of heart, takes training. CIMC offers such training with a profound trust in intrinsic inner peacefulness, the teachings of the Buddha, and not least, the power and love of community. May we all continue to practice with sincerity and care.
With all my love, Narayan