This Week's Events

Classes

Retreats

Welcome to Bellingham Insight

Bellingham Insight Meditation Society (BIMS) supports meditation and practice in the Buddhist Theravada tradition. We are a growing community and welcome guests, drop-ins, and visitors.

Insight meditation is a simple and direct practice, the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind/body process through calm and focused awareness. Learning to observe experience from a place of stillness enables one to relate to life with less fear and clinging. Seeing life as a constantly changing process, one begins to accept pleasure, pain, fear, joy and all aspects of life with increasing equanimity and balance. As insight deepens, wisdom and compassion arise. This practice is sometimes called "vipassana", which is a Pali word for insight.

News

Residential Retreat with Heather Martin

Heather Martin will be leading a residential vipassana meditation retreat at Camp Samish from October 12-17, 2010. The cost for this 6-day retreat us $245.00 (U.S. Funds)plus dana to Heather.

For more information, contact Karen at 647-8414

Email: karen.sheldon@gmail.com

For a flyer and a registration form: flyer

8/31/10

RESCHEDULED for October 9th - A Day with Ajahn Ritthi

Ajahn Ritthi, abbot of Atammayatarama Buddhist Monastery (Wat Attam) in Woodinville, has agreed to join us for another day of practice and fellowship with members of the Bellingham Thai community on Saturday, October 9th (Note: This event was originally scheduled for September 25th).

Our day with Ajahn Ritthi in June was a great success, with 40 people attending (about half from the Thai community). The feeling in the Hall was lively and warm, the food plentiful and delicious, and the teachings practical, direct, and presented with great humor. We hope that those who attended in June can join us again and that those who missed the June event will take advantage of this second opportunity to meet and practice together with Ajahn Ritthi and our Thai neighbors.

TIME: Saturday, October 9th (9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

PLACE: Red Cedar Dharma Hall

COST: Free (All Dana collected on this day will be offered to Wat Attam.)

WHAT TO BRING: A dish to share for lunch

SCHEDULE:

9:30 a.m. Chanting

10:00 Meditation

10:30 Dhamma Talk

11:30 Pindapata - Offering of food to monks and Potluck-style lunch

1:00 p.m. Program ends

You may join us just for the Dhamma talk and lunch, if you prefer. Feel free to enter the Hall after the meditation ends at 10:30.

8/10/10

A Weekend with Thanissaro Bhikkhu - September 11&12

BIMS is delighted to have Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Ajaan Geoff) return to Bellingham this September for his every-other-year retreat. This year"s subject is "Mindfulness and Concentration", and as usual, there is a study guide of suttas relating to this topic. Ajaan Geoff sent the following information: "Mindfulness and concentration are two qualities essential to training the mind for the sake of release from suffering. At present they are often taught as two separate, even antithetical, practices, but the Buddha taught them as two elements in a single, unified practice. This course – through readings, discussion, talks, and meditation – will explore the Buddha"s teaching on this topic and the ways that mindfulness and concentration can support each other in our own practice."

Schedule: 9 AM - 4 PM Saturday & Sunday

Retreat Cost: $30.00 for BIMS pledge-members, $40.00 for non-members (U.S. Funds). Pre-registration is required, as we expect this retreat to be full. If you must cancel,please let us know. Your fee will go to the BIMS general fund to sponsor future retreats & workshops. No refunds will be made.

Dana: There will be an opportunity both days to make a food offering to the monks and to Metta Forest Monastery. Your generosity is greatly encouraged and appreciated.

To register and for more information

Phone: Caroline at 734-9903

Email: caroline@affo.info.com,

Flyer & registration form:

For a flyer and registration form: flyer

7/27/10

July 10 & 11 with Heather Martin

Join us for this non-residential weekend retreat with Heather Martin. We will explore the meditation style taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya: a relaxed open awareness with an emphasis on exploring qualities of mind, and the attitude towards one"s experience. Such an open awareness practice supports both the formal meditation of sitting and walking, as well as awareness of our normal daily activities. The schedule for the retreat will alternate periods of sitting and walking with instructions and discussion. Aside from the instruction and discussion periods, the days will be primarily in silence.

Schedule: 9 AM - 4 PM Saturday & Sunday

Retreat Cost: $30.00 for BIMS pledge-members, $40.00 for non-members (U.S. Funds). Pre-registration is required, as we expect this retreat to be full. If you must cancel, please let us know. Your fee will go to the BIMS general fund to sponsor future retreats & workshops. No refunds will be made.

Dana: Your generous support for Heather is greatly encouraged and appreciated.

To register and for more information:

Email: geneva@openaccess.org

For a flyer and registration form: flyer

6/9/10

Ajahn Ritthi visits Saturday June 12th

Ajahn Ritthi, abbot of Atammayatarama Buddhist Monastery (Wat Attam) in Woodinville, has generously agreed to join us for practice and fellowship with members of the Bellingham Thai community on Saturday, June 12th. The day will be similar to the Thai community gatherings Wat Attam holds in Shoreline on most Sundays.

PLACE: Red Cedar Dharma Hall

COST: Free (All Dana collected on this day will be offered to Wat Attam.)

WHAT TO BRING: A dish to share for lunch

SCHEDULE:

9:30 a.m. Chanting*

10:00 Meditation

10:30 Dhamma Talk and Pindapata**

11:30 Offering of food***

12:30 p.m. Q&A with Ajahn Ritthi

1:30 Program ends

* Ajahn Rhitti will also be available for informal discussion from 9:00 to 9:30 while we finish preparing the Hall.

** “Pindapata” means offering alms (i.e., rice) to the monks.Rice will be available for anyone who wishes to place some in the monks’ alms bowls during this ceremony.

*** This is a chance for us to share the dishes we bring for the potluck with the monks.

You are also invited to join us just for the Dhamma talk, lunch, and Q&A, if you prefer. Feel free to enter the Hall after the meditation ends at 10:30.

Registration is not necessary for this event.

6/8/10

James Baraz & Shoshana Alexander - June 2nd

James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander will be at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall on Wednesday, June 2nd. James and Shoshana are co-authors of Awakening Joy, published in January 2010. Please join us for this special evening

6:00-6:50 SOCIAL HOUR & BOOK SIGNING

Come meet with and talk with James and Shoshana. Their book will be available for sale (checks or credit card only, please) and they would be happy to sign the book, if you"d like. We"ll be downstairs at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall.

7:00-7:45 MEDITATION in the Dharma Hall

8:00-9:00 DHARMA TALK WITH JAMES AND SHOSHANA

James has been teaching meditation since 1978 and has led several retreats for our local sangha. He is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, where, in addition to leading retreats, he founded the Community Dharma Leader Program and is the teacher-adviser to the Spirit Rock Family and Teen Program and the Kalyana Mitta (Spiritual Friends) Network.

Shoshana has studied Buddhism since 1970 and is the author of In Praise of Single Parents, and Women"s Ventures, Women"s Visions. Among her dharma activities, she was the director of the Family Program at Spirit Rock when her son was a child. She lives in Ashland, Oregon, where she teaches writing and leads various workshops, including Awakening Joy support groups.

5/27/10

May 26-June 3 Retreat - Heather Martin/Pascal Auclair

Heather and Pascal will be leading a retreat from May 26 to June 3, 2010 at Camp Samish on Samish Island, WA

The retreat will be conducted in noble silence with alternate periods of sitting and walking meditation, evening dharma talks and interviews. Instruction in both vipassana meditation and metta (loving-kindness) will be offered.

There will be 3 simple vegetarian meals a day. The camp is on the water and has extensive grounds for walking. All registrants will have a cabin to themselves. Optional yoga instruction is offered in the afternoons. This retreat is suitable for both new and experienced practitioners.

Cost: $385.00 U.S., plus Dana to Teachers

A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

For more information, contact Rem, the retreat registrar. Email: remthefem@yahoo.com

Phone (message) 360-647-3353

To print flyer & registration: flyer

4/29/10

Beginning Again 1.5 -- Saturday, May 15

This day-long class will build on the material from our introductory class in February and will also be suitable for anyone who has an interest in meditation but little or no experience. We will review the basic instructions for mindfulness meditation and the core teachings of wisdom, compassion, mental peace and kindheartedness that apply to our daily lives and concerns. Suggestions for developing a home practice and cultivating awareness in our daily activities will be presented. This class will include both discussion and practice and time will be allotted for answering questions.

The class will be taught by John Robinson & Jean La Valley.

When: Saturday May 15 --9 AM to 3 PM

Where: Red Cedar Dharma Hall 1021 N. Forest

Cost: by donation

Pre-registration requested

For more information or to register:

John @ 758-7260 or email john@treefrogfarm.com

To see/print a flyer: flyer

4/28/10

Wat Attam Monks visit on Tuesday, April 6th

Ajahn Santidhammo from the Wat Attam monastery in Woodinville will be with us again on Tuesday April 6th for our meditation period, followed by a Dharma talk. He will be joined this time by the monastery"s head abbot, Ajahn Ritthi.

All are invited to join us for the evening.

3/30/10

BIMS is on Facebook

BIMS now has a page on Facebook! One more way to keep in touch. We have the web site (which you are reading now) as well as an email list for timely announcements. Now we have the Facebook page which will have our social networking--more informal connections, discussions, sharing and notes. It"s 2010 and this is a new way to keep connected! Become a Facebook friend of Bellingham Insight Meditation Society.

To be added to our email announcement list Email: karen.sheldon@gmail.com

3/15/10

Retreat with Andrea Fella - April 10 & 11

This non-residential retreat, taught by Andrea Fella, will explore the meditation style taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya: a relaxed open awareness with an emphasis on exploring qualities of mind, and the attitude towards one"s experience. The schedule for the retreat will alternate periods of sitting and walking with instructions and discussion. Aside from the instruction and discussion periods, the days will be primarily in silence.

Andrea Fella has been practicing Insight Meditation since 1996. She has practiced both as a lay person and as a nun. Her Burmese teachers include Sayadaw U Pandita, Sayadaw U Janaka, and Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Her main American teachers include Joseph Goldstein, Gil Fronsdal, and Carol Wilson.

Location: Red Cedar Dharma Hall, 1021 N. Forest St, Bellingham WA

Contact: registrar Caroline Kingsbury

Email: caroline@affoinfo.com,

flyer & registration: flyer

2/15/10

February 6th from 9 AM-3 PM: Introduction to Meditation

Bellingham Insight invites all new and experienced students to a day-long class that will include both discussion and practice. Four meditation objects will be taught: sitting, walking, eating and metta (kind-heartedness). We will discuss core elements of Buddhism and meditation practice. Ideas on developing a home practice as well as ways of cultivating awareness in our daily activities will be included in the class. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion.

Pre-registration is recommended. Contact John Robinson at 758-7260 or email john@treefrogfarm.com

1/12/10

Buddhism and the 12 steps with Kevin Griffin

The Buddha said that craving is the cause of suffering. Twelve Step programs work with the deepest forms of craving. How can these two traditions come together to deepen our spiritual life? Through a combination of traditional and contemporary Buddhist meditation practices, interactive exercises, talks, and discussion, we will explore the ways that Buddhism and the Steps complement each other. This day is open to all who are interested, and will include introductory meditation.

Kevin is the author of One Breath at a Time:Buddhism and the Twelve Steps, and A Burning Desire:Dharma God and the Path of Recovery (on the shelves January 4, 2010)

NOTE: the retreat is full and registration is closed as of Tuesday January 5th.

1/10/10

Teachers On Tuesday Nights in December

BIMS will welcome 2 visiting teachers to the Red Cedar Dharma Hall in December. Ajahn Tom and several Thai monks from Wat Atam in Woodinville will return to the Hall on Tuesday, December 1 to lead meditation at 7 PM. Ajahn Tom will give a dharma talk at 8 PM.

Heather Martin will be in Bellingham on Tuesday December 15th. She will lead meditation at 7 PM and give a dharma talk at 8 PM.

All are invited to either or both evenings.

11/18/09

BIMS membership & community month

BIMS invites you to our month-long series on Membership and Community. Tea and cookies each Tuesday. And not just any old stale cookies, but Caroline"s fabulous home-made cookies.

WEEK 1-October 27th

7 PM Meditation

8 PM “Why are spiritual friends the “whole of the holy life?” Dharma talk - Jean La Valley

WEEK 2 – November 3

5:30 Community Dinner in the Hall basement - Dinner provided by the board

7 PM Meditation

8 PM Annual board report

WEEK 3- November 10

7 PM Meditation

8 PM Focus on volunteers, beginning with a skit with Karen & Steve

WEEK 4 November 17

7 PM Meditation

8 PM “Finding Contentment in Dharma Practice” Dharma Talk – John Robinson

10/27/09

Buddhism in Bellingham

The Bellingham Dharma Association presents its 4th annual public lecture series – 4 lectures by local Buddhist teachers plus two slide shows on Buddhist history and culture in Asia.

Talks will be held at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall, 1021 N. Forest Street, in Bellingham. A $5-$10 donations is suggested. Each 50 minute talk includes 5-10 minutes of guided meditation and is followed by a Question and Answer session. The public is warmly invited.

A children”s program is available with art teacher Shelby Sneva. Suggested donation $5/child. Please come early (doors open at 9:30am) to settle your child into the program.

The remaining programs in the series include:

Saturday October 24th at 10am:"Enlightenment - Not Enlightenment." with John Robinson of the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society,

Saturday October 24th at 7pm: Slide show with Jeffrey Harker, "Pilgrimage to Buddha”s India"

Saturday October 31st at 10am: “How to Gather a Scattered Mind" with Acharya Jenny Warwick of the Bellingham Shambhala Center

For more information: Bellingham Dharma Association

or (360) 398-7008

10/7/09

Monks visit on Tuesday October 6th

Several weeks ago a member of the local Thai community contacted Bellingham Insight about the possibility of our sangha meeting several of the monks from the Wat Atam Buddhist Monastery in Woodinville, Washington. We are happy to announce that on Tuesday, October 6th monks Ajahn Prayad and Ajahn Santidhammo (Tom Flynt)will lead our meditation evening. We will start as usual at 7:00 PM. The monks will give a dharma talk for the second-hour program.

There is a possibility that these two monks would be willing to travel here regularly to lead meditation, give teachings and do personal interviews if there is interest.

For more information on the monastery or the monks: Attama Wat

10/4/09

Metta Retreat with Heather Martin - October 13-18

Metta or Loving Kindness meditation attunes us to our natural and great capacity for connecting with and caring for ourselves and others. It is true friendliness. As we practice, we deliberately nurture our heart"s spontaneous affinity for peacefulness and kindness, acceptance and forgiveness. Detailed instructions in various aspects of Metta (Loving Kindness) will be given, and the intertwining of the practices of Vipassana (Clear Seeing) and Metta will be explored.

This 6-day retreat will be taught by Heather Martin at Camp Samish, Samish Island, WA. The cost is $255.00 U.S., plus Dana to the teacher.The retreat is suitable for both new and experienced practitioners.

For more information or to register, email:

jg_raber@comcast.net or phone (leave message): 360-738-0906

8/31/09

Beginning Again: Introduction to Insight Meditation

Saturday October 3rd from 9AM - 3PM at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall

This day-long class will include both discussion and practice. Four meditation objects will be taught: sitting, walking, eating and metta (kind-heartedness). We will discuss core elements of Buddhism and meditation practice. Ideas on developing a home practice as well as ways of cultivating awareness in our daily activities will be included in the class. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion. New and experienced students are welcome.

Pre-registration is recommended. Contact John Robinson at 758-7260 or email john@treefrogfarm.com

8/30/09

Sangha Picnic on Saturday August 29th

Bellingham Insight & the Red Cedar Zen Group are coming together to picnic from 2-6 PM on Saturday August 29th. We"ve reserved a shelter at the south end of Lake Padden, near the ballfield.

Bring your family, friends, games & music.

Bring some food for a potluck: if your last name begins A-P, bring a main dish or a salad. If your last name begins Q-Z, bring a dessert.

And please bring your own plates, cups & utensils.

Ice and a cooler will be provided.

See old friends and meet some new ones!

8/17/09

All-sangha womens retreat on Sunday August 16th

The women of Bellingham"s several Buddhist sanghas will be offering a morning of meditation and sharing on Sunday August 16th from 8 AM - 1 PM at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall, 1021 N. Forest. All women are welcome to attend.

Pre-registration is requested - contact Joan Casey, 647-2346 or joancasey@comcast.net

There is no registration fee. All donations will support the Red Cedar Dharma Hall.

8/8/09

Weekend Meditation August 8 & 9

The Bellingham Insight Meditation Society will host a Meditation Weekend on August 8 & 9.

Saturday, August 8, will be a full day of meditation from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with practice periods from 8-12, 1-4, and 5-8.

Sunday, August 9, will be a half day of meditation from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

All are welcome. We hope to see you there.

Please check the BIMS website calendar or the bulletin board in the Hall foyer for more details.

8/4/09

July 24-26 Meditation Weekend with Heather Martin

During this weekend retreat at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall we will focus on the support of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in aging, sickness and dying. Heather will discuss attitudes in support of living these experiences. The attitudes will include honesty, denial, positive thinking, fear, fearlessness, control, & trust. We will look at liberation, by the fire of these truths. There will be time for each participant to reflect on how they would like to be supported by their friends (in and out of the sangha) during times of illness or dying. We will explore some ritual and chants that may be helpful. Basic instruction will be given in sitting and walking meditation and there will be periods of silence. However, this weekend will have more reflection and discussion periods than many of our weekend retreats.

The weekeend begins with a dharma talk on Friday July 24 from 7-9 PM.The retreat will continue on Saturday and Sunday, July 25th & 26 from 9 AM –4 PM each day.

Cost: $25 for the weekend for BIMS pledge members, plus dana (donation) for the teacher.

$35 for non-members, plus dana for the teacher

Scholarships are available (contact the registrar).

Questions: Prentiss, the registrar, at 756-1359 or prentc@comcast.net

Directions: Directions and additional info will be emailed (or mailed) to you upon receipt of registration form & check

6/30/09

Sunday Afternoon June 28th with Ajahn Jayasaro

On Sunday, June 28th BIMS will be hosting an afternoon visit from Ajahn Jayasaro. Ajahn Jayasaro was abbot for many years at Wat Pa Nana Chat (Ajahn Chah"s monastery) in Northeast Thailand. This a rare opportunity and we are pleased that Ajahn Jayasaro will be able to be with us.

His dharma talk is titled "The Brahma Viharas: cultivating loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimiity in our practice."

No pre-registration is required. The talk will be at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall, 1021 N. Forest. Please come in time to seated in the Hall by 1 PM.

$5.00 per person is asked to cover the use of the meditation hall. There will also be an opportunity to offer dana for Ajahn Jayasaro.

6/16/09

Prayer Wheel Art Benefit with Jeni Cottrell

SUNDAY JUNE 07, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Learn how to make a prayer wheel using copper wire and sheet metal.

This original design was created by Jeni Cottrell, who has been teaching wire work since 1993 and sitting with Bellingham Insight Meditation Society for many years.

$6 materials fee includes wire to finish project at home.

Suggested donation of $30-$60 will benefit the Red Cedar Dharma Hall.

Class is limited to 8 students.

Register with Jeni by calling 752-1904. You may make your donation and pay the materials fee on arrival.

5/30/09

Beginning Again: Introduction to Insight Meditation

Why do we meditate? What are the benefits? How do we do it? These are common questions that anyone curious about meditation may ask. And for those with a regular meditation practice, these questions are good to ask from time to time to freshen-up our intention. Several times a year BIMS offers an Introduction to Insight (vipassana) meditation class where meditation instruction is given and these questions are discussed. This is an opportune time for new and experienced practitioners to explore how meditation may fit into their life. Please consider joining us on Sunday Feb 22, 9 AM-3 at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall. Cost is by voluntary donation to the BIMS scholarship fund. Registration is recommended by contacting John at 360-758-7260 or e-mail John john@treefrogfarm.com

To see a class flyer: flyer

2/22/09

Residential Retreat with Heather Martin & Andrea Fella

Heather and Andrea will lead a residential retreat April 1-12 at Camp Samish,a rural retreat center south of Bellingham, WA. April 1-5 is suitable for all students. On Sunday April 5th, "experienced" students may continue on if they wish. "Experienced" means you have had some retreat experience, ideally several week-long retreats. From April 5-12 students will be expected to be more independent in their practice. There will be less structure in the schedule and less contact with the teacher. If you have any questions about your "experience", please contact the registrar.

Cost: $205.00 for 5-day;$560.00 for 12-day plus Dana to Teachers

For more information, contact the registrar Rem Ryals email: remthefem@yahoo.com

Phone (message) 360-647-3353

To see a flyer and registration form: flyer

2/21/09

The Saturday Sit-in - Beginning February 14th

The Saturday Sit-In is a full day (12 hours) of mindfulness at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall held one Saturday a month from 8:50 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. The schedule consists of morning, afternoon, and evening Practice Periods: alternating sitting meditation (45 minutes) and walking meditation (15 minutes). Each Practice Period begins with a short Dhamma reading.

It is our hope that these Saturdays will provide participants with a retreat-like experience. With this in mind, we would encourage you to spend the full day with. If full-day attendance is not possible, however, you are welcome to join the group for just one or two Practice Periods. We ask that you arrive only at the start of a Practice Period and remain until its end. Noble silence will be observed throughout the day.

There is no charge for this event and no pre-registration is required. It is led by the sangha of the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society, but we welcome members of any of the Buddhist practice groups as well as others from the community.

The hall will be open at 8:30 AM. Please plan for enough time so that we can get started at 8:50 AM.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact John Fries at jnfries@yahoo.com

1/28/09

6/10/08

Talk by Zoketsu Norman Fischer on Saturday March 1st

Zoketsu Norman Fischer will give a public talk entitled American Mystical Poetry. From ts eliot to his own work, with stops in between, Norman will read and discuss poetry that attempts to access the unspeakable words of the heart.

Norman's talk will be at 7:30pm at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1708 "I" Street, just up from Dupont St.

3/1/08

Regular Activities

-Tuesday Night Group Meditation

-Tuesday Night Programs

-Social Hour

-Book Club

-Dharma Talk

-Sutta Study

-Morning Meditation

-Thursday Lunchtime Meditation

-Weekend Meditation

-Orientation to Meditation