Ethical Sensitivity - Insight Meditation Center

Insight Meditation Center • Redwood City
www.insightmeditationcenter.org
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 2005 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 1
The ethical core of the Buddhist path is one of its most
important features. Maturing on this path goes hand in hand
with developing and strengthening this core.
Ethics is about both behavior and motivation. Regarding
behavior, ethics addresses some of the most challenging,
interesting, and at times confusing aspects of our lives, including
sex, money, security, power, truth, and questions of life
and death. As for motivation, ethics addresses some of the
most beautiful aspects of the human heart; in particular, our
capacity for love and freedom. Ethical maturity for Buddhists
has less to do with moral values than with enhanced moral
sensitivity. In fact, I believe that adhering to moral values
alone can hinder the development of ethical maturity.
Buddhism certainly does put great importance on moral values,
including the precepts. Buddhism’s cardinal ethical principle
is to avoid causing harm. However, these values are
often understood to be expressions of goodness flowing from
a responsive heart, not rules of behavior originating in external
sources of authority.
Stressing ethical sensitivity makes it easy to see the importance
mindfulness has in Buddhist ethics. The greater our
capacity for being present and attentive to both the world
around us and to ourselves, the greater will be our understanding
and empathy. Mindfulness also helps us to deal wisely with
our fear, hate, greed, and other forces that impede our ethical
judgment. As these forces are purified from the heart, its good
qualities increasingly guide us in making ethical decisions.
Among the most important of these guiding qualities are
freedom and compassion. Faced with an ethical choice, we
can ask whether it both expresses compassion and helps move
the heart to greater freedom. If we act from only one of these,
however, our actions may be imbalanced by being too concerned
with either others or with oneself. The presence of
both protects us from this imbalance.
A liberated heart is an ethically pure heart. The impulse
to cause harm brings with it a tightening, a limiting, a dark-
Ethical Sensitivity
ening of the heart. Relaxing and unfettering the heart is
aligning the heart with its own purity. One of the most challenging
Buddhist teachings is that nothing whatsoever is
worth the cost of a contracted heart. Inner virtue is more
valuable than anything we might gain from actions that will
contract our heart.
A compassionate heart is an empathic heart. Empathy is
heightened sensitivity to the suffering of others and concern
for their welfare. Compassion not only connects us to others;
it is a channel for the beautiful parts of ourselves that live in
relationship to others. To dampen our compassion is to
diminish ourselves.
Just as compassion and liberation support each other, so
do ethical sensitivity and ethical strength. A strong commitment
to ethical values and decisions can be dangerous if we
haven’t also seen and felt deeply what is happening in the
moment. And to be sensitive but powerless to act appropriately
can lead to frustration, disappointment, and a sense of
personal weakness—and possibly to cynicism or despair.
Ethical strength is developed by exercising it. In some circumstances
this means restraint; in others, action. Sometimes
it entails learning to say no; sometimes it is saying yes. And in
situations where it is not clear how to act, strength may take
the form of remaining present and committed to understanding.
Ethical sensitivity is developed by practicing mindfulness
in all situations, but especially when an ethical choice is
required.
Buddhist teachings say that ethical decision-making holds
the possibility of nourishing what is the best within our hearts.
May our ethical sensitivity help us find that nourishment.
—Gil Fronsdal
A deed is good
That one doesn’t regret having done,
That results in joy
And delight.
—Dhammapada 68

Sangha Programs & News
THE FIVE GREAT GIFTS
There are these five gifts, five great gifts—original, long-standing,
traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated from the
beginning—that are not open to suspicion, will never be open to suspicion,
and are not faulted by knowledgeable contemplatives and
priests.
Which five? Abstaining from killing, abstaining from taking what
is not given, abstaining from sexual misconduct, abstaining from
lying, and abstaining from use of intoxicants. In doing so, one
gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from
oppression to limitless numbers of beings.
—Anguttara Nikaya VII.39
The Five Training Precepts
1. Refraining from harming living beings (correlated
with practicing loving kindness)
2. Refraining from taking the non-given (correlated with
practicing generosity)
3. Refraining from committing sexual misconduct (correlated
with practicing contentment)
4. Refraining from false speech (correlated with practicing
truthful communication)
5. Refraining from intoxicants (correlated with practicing
mindfulness)
THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE NEEDS OF IMC
Last year's community meeting, led by board member Don
Johnson, produced a mandala of ideas for the future of IMC.
This year's Dharma Study Program is one fruit of that
process. Another identified need is to provide more opportunities
for retreats. Our original vision statement, prepared as
we began the lengthy process of acquiring our Redwood City
home, also included the idea of having room to hold small
retreats or to house visiting monastics and teachers.
We have formed a small group to begin to envision some possibilities
for IMC's future that might require a long planning
process (5 or more years out). Inspired by our enthusiasm for
retreats, and by Gil's wish to offer more retreats, the group
has decided to focus first on exploring the idea of someday
having a small neighborhood residential space. We are also
looking for ideas for local places to rent (close to IMC) to provide
more retreats in the short term. Once we understand
the possibilities and requirements better, we intend to present
our findings and recommendations at a future community
meeting to determine the level of interest and support in
the sangha.
If you have any ideas or concerns to share on these subjects,
please contact Chris Clifford ctclifford@sbcglobal.net.
ART EXHIBIT AT IMC
LASTING IMPRESSIONS ON IMPERMANENCE
The IMC community hall is about to be brightened with art.
Responding to the interest of many sangha artists here at
IMC, Dharma Friends will be hosting an exhibit with the
theme of “Impermanence” from January 28 to February 6.
Art displayed in the community hall will be represented by a
wide range of media including watercolor, pastel, photography,
sculpture, and mixed-media. Family and friends are
invited to the gala art opening on Saturday, January 29 from
7 to 9 pm. We will celebrate our collective creativity with
original poetry readings, discussion, and culinary delights.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Carla
Brooke: silkelegy@aol.com 650/483-6137.
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
Our Sangha remains financially healthy thanks to many generous
donations from our members. At year end, all members
who responded to the Building Fund drive will receive a
letter acknowledging their tax-deductible gift.
By early February 2005, sangha members whose total check
donations (excluding the Building Fund drive) are at least
$200, will also receive a letter acknowledging the total of
their tax-deductible gifts. Thank you for your generosity.
YARD SALE RESULTS
For the past four years, Dharma Friends have organized a
yard sale to benefit the IMC building fund. This event is an
opportunity to practice dana, or generosity. Many generously
donated their possessions and over 27 volunteers donated
their time and efforts. At least a dozen people sorted and
priced the donations and two shifts of 6 to 8 volunteers
worked from 7:30 am to clean up at 4 pm.
And who benefited? First the shoppers, many from the surrounding
neighborhood, purchased quality items at bargain
prices. The Ecumenical Hunger Project received a carload full
of unsold clothes, and the Salvation Army a truckload of
other left-over items. Unsold books went to the Mountain
View library and Book Buyers (who gave us $250 credit for
the sangha library). The IMC building fund received $1114.
Most important, all of you who helped make this year's yard
sale a success received the blessing of practicing generosity.

INTEGRATING YOGA & MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
The first time I taught a yoga class was many years ago during
one of Gil’s daylong retreats. One of the yogis—a long
time practitioner—came up to me and said that after the yoga
session he had been able to sit on the floor comfortably for
the first time. He was thrilled.
Certainly sitting in a particular posture is not necessary for
our meditation to be fruitful. However, this experience illustrates
some of the benefits of integrating yoga with sitting
practice. Yoga gives people the flexibility and strength to sit
with greater ease. This facilitates the development of concentration,
mindfulness and equanimity, which in turn support
the development of wisdom and compassion.
When approached mindfully, yoga is itself a meditation practice.
Yoga heightens awareness of the body, breath and feelings.
This awareness may be subtle or gross. We feel how the
breath expands and contracts the torso in triangle pose, how
we are calmed by a forward bend, how our heart area opens
as we lengthen our spine in a backbend. The five hindrances
inevitably arise. If we are mindful we notice aversion to certain
poses, clinging to the achievement of ideal postures,
occasional reluctance to summon sufficient effort to work
towards our edge, restlessness in holding a pose, or doubt in
our abilities. These hindrances can keep us from enjoying
yoga and obtaining its benefits. Yet as we continue, we develop
the capacity to see these hindrances as they arise, and to
work skillfully with them.
Yoga helps us gain insight into the changing nature of the self
on a tangible level. Sustained effort lets us see that our bodies
are not solidly one way or another. We are not a stiff person,
or someone who absolutely cannot meditate for 45 minutes
while sitting on a cushion on the floor.
Yoga provides a rich opportunity to practice awareness of
attachments and achieve the fruits of letting go. We can hold
a difficult pose with gnarled toes, tense shoulders, and tight
face muscles, or we can let go and in the next breath find ease
and contentment. If we cling to wanting our bodies to be
different than they are, or indulge our habit of negative judgment,
we suffer and leave the mat angry and frustrated. As
we learn to let go of these ideas, ground our awareness in
physical sensations and the breath, and practice with
patience and lovingkindness, we are rewarded with greater
calm, energy and joy, and we bring these benefits to our sitting
meditation and our lives.
—Terry Lesser
BUILDING RENOVATION UPDATE
Gil’s upstairs office has now been completed, as has the garden
shed. Storage issues are in the process of being resolved.
This will bring to a close our first phase of renovation.
The renovation has been a challenging and rewarding
process for IMC. Despite differences of opinion and the
expected unexpected problems that arose, the many difficulties
of the process were smoothed by the dedication of those
involved to work together with a disposition towards kindness
and equanimity. We are grateful to all of you who have
contributed your time, effort, and funds.
When funds become available, we will reconvene a building
renovation committee, and consider the options for our next
phase of renovation.
ATTENTION! PARKING RESTRICTIONS
There is no parking allowed next door at the dental offices or
in the Planned Parenthood lot at any time.
There is ample street parking. Please leave spaces available
for those in need in IMC’s parking lot and immediately adjacent
to the center.
These two lots are available for IMC to use at certain times:
• Kitty-corner from IMC (Manzo Dental on Hopkins) is
available on evenings and weekends
• Behind 160 Birch (next to the VA center at 2946
Broadway) is available on Sundays only.
DHARMA TALKS
Recordings of Dharma talks by Gil Fronsdal and many of our
guest speakers are available to listen to or download at
www.audiodharma.org. You can also borrow audio tapes
from our tape library, located in the Library. Please return
tapes within 2 weeks. To request that a tape be made of a
particular talk, contact Mike Kupfer at m.kupfer@acm.org
(preferred) or 650/299-0497. To buy audio tapes or CDs of
Dharma talks, contact Allicin at 650/325-8570
cdstapes@audiodharma.org.
WE HAVE 2 E-MAIL LISTS
Insight-Announce: For sangha-related announcements.
Requests for ride-sharing and housing are welcome—no discussion,
humor, personal services or businesses, for-pay seminars,
or items for sale. To join, send a blank e-mail to:
insight-announce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
When you receive an e-mail back from Yahoo, click Reply,
then Send, without adding anything.
Insight Forum: For discussion of our Buddhist practice—
may include personal insights, social/political activism, ecology,
poetry, quotations, wise humor. Send a blank e-mail to:
insightforum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
When you receive an e-mail back from Yahoo, click Reply,
then Send, without adding anything.

Insight Meditation Center
1205 Hopkins Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94062
Website: www.insightmeditationcenter.org
Email: info@insightmeditationcenter.org
650/599-3456
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Printed on
Recycled Paper
SANGHA YELLOW PAGES
We regularly receive requests: does anyone know a good
acupuncturist? A carpenter? An electrician? An internist? If
you have a service you would like to promote to others in the
sangha, fill out a provider sheet and put it in the relevant section
of the Sangha Yellow Pages binder on the literature
table. Contact Anne Foster annefoster2@earthlink.net.
VOLUNTEERS
All the work that keeps IMC running smoothly is done by
volunteers. Volunteering is an opportunity to participate at
IMC and to meet other Sangha members. If you would like
to support our center by donating your time and skills, please
fill out a form on the literature table. Contact Audrey Guerin
650/ 574-4053, aeguerin@sbcglobal.net.
PLEASE ENROLL IN E-SCRIP!
E-scrip is an effortless way of raising funds for our center. If
you register your grocery club card, and/or credit/debit cards
with E-scrip, the participating merchants will donate a small
percentage of your purchases to IMC. You keep all your credit
card rewards. Register at www.escrip.com, use forms on
the literature table, or contact Ines to register you or answer
questions: info@insightmeditationcenter.org 408/732-7535.
SANGHA NEIGHBORS
Sangha Neighbors are community volunteers who are available
to support other members of our sangha when they
need help. During times of transition or crisis, support is
available for home visits, household chores, shopping, transportation,
meals, feeding pets, etc. We encourage members
to ask for support when needed. See details and sign-up
sheets at the IMC literature table. To request support or
offer your services, contact: Berget 408/255-2783
bbjelane@earthlink.net or Rainbow 650/321-3649
rainbowspirit@worldshare.net.
New Website Address
Please use www.insightmeditationcenter.org. We’d like to
phase out our old address. Thank you.
MAILING LIST OPTIONS AND CHANGE OF ADDRESS
To be added or removed from the Mailing List and/or
Directory, or to update address, phone, or e-mail—contact
Cindy Heyer cyn@coastside.net 650/712-0231.
NEWSLETTER questions—contact Ines Freedman,
info@insightmeditationcenter.org or 408/732-7535.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
January thru March 2005
WEEKLY MEDITATION AND TALKS
MONDAY EVENING SITTING AND TALK
7:30 to 9 pm. A 45-minute sitting is followed by a 45-minute
dharma talk.
THURSDAY EVENING SITTING AND TALK
7:30 to 9 pm. Especially suited for new meditators. A 30-
minute sitting is followed by a talk, with time for questions.
SUNDAY MORNING SITTINGS AND TALK
• 1st Sitting 8:30 to 9:10 am
• Walking Meditation 9:10 to 9:25 am
• 2nd Sitting 9:25 to 10 am
• Talk 10 to 10:45 am
Vegetarian Potluck Brunch on the last Sunday of the month
at 11 am. Everyone welcome. Contact Di or Dave Tatro
650/595-4260.
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION
BASIC MEDITATION INSTRUCTION
• First Monday evening of each month, 6:15 to 7:15 pm
prior to the sitting and talk.
• Every Thursday evening 6:15 to 7:15 pm, prior to the sitting
and talk.
• 1st Thursday morning of each month, 10:30 to 11:30 am.
INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
5 Wednesday evenings, January 12 to February 9, 7:30 to 9
pm. Taught by Gil Fronsdal.
During this course, the basic instructions in insight meditation
will be given sequentially, starting with a focus on mindfulness
of breathing, followed by mindfulness of the body, of
emotions, of thinking, and of the application of mindfulness
in daily life. No pre-registration necessary.
INTRODUCTION TO CONCENTRATION
WITH GIL FRONSDAL
5 Wednesday evenings, April 20 to May 18, 7:30 to 9 pm.
Please plan on attending the entire series. Requirement: 45
minutes of meditation each day for duration of class and
memorization of a short English Buddhist text.
DANA—All teachings at IMC are offered freely according to the
ancient Buddhist tradition of dana. This means our center and its
teachers are supported entirely by the generosity of all of you, our
spiritual community. Thank you for your continuing support.
RETREATS
DHARMA PRACTICE DAYS WITH GIL FRONSDAL
Meditation, Teachings and Discussions. Bring lunch.
The following Fridays, from 9:30 to 3:30 pm
• January 7—Wisdom
• February 4—Strength/Energy
• April 15—Patience
• May 20—Truth
• June 17—Resolve
HALF-DAY RETREATS
On the following Wednesdays, from 9:30 am to 12:15 pm
• January 5, with Gil Fronsdal
• January 19, with Gil Fronsdal
• February 2, with Gil Fronsdal
• February 16, with Gil Fronsdal
• March 2, with Shaila Catherine
• April 6, with Gil Fronsdal
Silent sitting and walking meditation ending with a short
talk. A few short interviews are available with the teacher.
You are welcome to attend any part of the morning. Bring
lunch for informal discussion afterwards.
9:30 to 10:15 am—Sitting
10:15 to 11 am—Walking
11:00 to 11:45 am—Sitting
11:45 to 12 noon—Dharmette (Brief Talk)
12 to 12:15 pm—Temple Cleaning
ONE-DAY MEDITATION RETREATS
Silent retreat. Sitting & walking meditation, dharma talk.
Bring lunch.
• Saturday, January 22, 9 am to 4:30 pm with Gil Fronsdal.
• Saturday, February 12, 8:30 am to 5 pm. with Gil
Fronsdal. No instruction—previous experience recommended;
short interviews with Gil available.
• Saturday, March 12, 9 am to 4:30 pm
• Saturday, March 19, 9 am to 4:30 pm, LGBT retreat with
Larry Yang. (See Special Events pg. 3 of this schedule)
• Saturday, April 23, 8:30 am to 5 pm with Gil Fronsdal.
No instruction—previous experience recommended;
short interviews with Gil available.
• Saturday, May 14, 9 am to 4:30 pm with Gil Fronsdal.

SCHEDULE pg. 2
NON-RESIDENTIAL RETREAT WITH GIL FRONSDAL
April 18 — 22 (Monday — Friday), 9 am to 4:30 pm.
You may participate for the entire week or drop in for any
part of the retreat. Gil will be available for interviews daily.
This will be a silent retreat with alternating sitting and walking
meditation and daily dharma talks. Bring lunch.
To extend this retreat, you may also join us on:
• Sunday, April 17, from 12 to 5 pm with a “practice
leader,” but no teacher
• Saturday, April 23 for a daylong retreat from 8:30 am to 5
pm with Gil.
RESIDENTIAL RETREATS
• May 27-30 with Gil Fronsdal at Jikoji Retreat Center in
Los Gatos. Contact Fiona Rose-Barner 650/599-9420
keithandfiona@sbcglobal.net. By donation.
• Aug 5-14 at Vajrapani with Gil Fronsdal, Mary Orr, &
John Travis. 415-488-0164 x371 (Spirit Rock Retreat fees
apply.)
• September 4-18 with Gil Fronsdal at Hidden Villa in Los
Altos Hills. Contact Laura Crabb 408/380-3002 x80
lauracrabb2@earthlink.net. Prerequisite—one ten day
retreat. By donation.
YOGA
MONDAY EVENING YOGA
6:30 to 7:15 pm. Join us for yoga before our evening meditation.
Suitable for all levels. Please bring a large towel and
sticky mat, if you have one. Taught by Terry Lesser.
THURSDAY MORNING YOGA AND SITTING MEDITATION
8 to 10:15 am. Suitable for all levels. Bring a large towel and
sticky mat, if you have one. Taught by Terry Lesser.
HALF-DAY RETREAT OF YOGA AND SITTING MEDITATION
With Terry Lesser
Saturday, January 8, 9:30 am to 1 pm.
The new year is a natural time to focus on renewal and to
look at our deepest intentions. This will be a retreat-like
morning, where we will practice moment-to-moment awareness
in movement and stillness and explore the theme of
intention in our practice and our life. Suitable for all levels.
Please bring a large towel and sticky mat, if you have one.
Please refrain from wearing scented products to our Center, as
there are those who have allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities.
FAMILY PROGRAM
MONTHLY FAMILY PROGRAM
Last Sunday of every month, 11:30 am to 1 pm.
Join sangha members ages 4 to 12 for songs, stories, games
and activities. The group will be divided into two age-appropriate
groups: 4 to 7 and 8 to 12. Contact Amy Saltzman
650/326-0701.
PARENTS' MEETING
Sunday, February 6, 7 to 9 pm, with Gil Fronsdal.
Please join us for meditation and lively discussion on family
issues. Contact Amy Saltzman 650/326-0701.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NEW YEAR’S EVE MEDITATION AND CELEBRATION
Friday, December 31, 7:30 pm to 12:15 am. A quiet evening
of meditation, walking, chanting, readings, and refreshments.
Please bring a reading if you would like. We will do
a ritual to see in the New Year. Berget Jelane
bbjelane@earthlink.net, 408/255-2783
CULTIVATING COMPASSION
Five-Week Tuesday Morning Series on the Development of
Karuna with Shaila Catherine.
January 4 – February 1, 10 am to 12 Noon
Compassion (karuna) is a heartful and courageous response
to life. It is the manifestation of lovingkindness when it
meets the pain of the world. We will cultivate compassion as
an extension of lovingkindness practice with progressive
lessons and sequential instruction. We will develop skills to
work through obstacles that may seem to separate us from
the strength of our natural courage, so we may embrace difficulties
with a heart of compassion.
Shaila has practiced meditation since 1980, studying with
masters in India, Nepal and Thailand, and at the Sharpham
College For Buddhist Studies in England. She was resident
Dharma Teacher for the Santa Fe and Albuquerque
Vipassana Sanghas for two years. She teaches meditation in
England, India, Israel, and the US.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LIBERATION: BUDDHIST TEACHINGS
ON TRANSFORMATION
Saturday, January 29, 9 am to 5 pm, with Andrew Olendzki.
This class is presented by the Sati Center. For more details
and to pre-register (preferred), please see www.sati.org or
415/646-0530.

SCHEDULE pg. 3
WISE SPEECH AS DAILY PRACTICE
Six Week Discussion Group with Mirka Knaster
Wednesdays, February 16 — March 23, 7 to 9 pm
By including Right or Wise Speech as an integral aspect of
the Eightfold Path, the Buddha made it clear how important
communication is to awakening. Each session will include a
short sitting, examination of a brief passage from the Pali
Canon, suggestions for practicing that particular teaching,
and discussion of the challenges and rewards we experience
in trying to apply it in daily life.
Mirka has been practicing in the Theravada tradition since
1980. She interviewed dharma teachers from different
schools of Buddhism for her dissertation on transforming
ordinary habits of talking into a spiritual practice of ethical
speech. For information knaster@aol.com 510/531-7172.
FULL MOON GATHERING FOR WOMEN
Friday, February 25, 7 to 9 pm
A time for women in our sangha to come together for meditation,
movement, moon-gazing, creativity and discussion.
We are in the process of creating a quilt together. All skill
levels (including non-sewers) eagerly welcomed. Please
RSVP to Cheryll Gasner, 650/969-5793 or
cheryll.gasner@sbcglobal.net.
WAKING CREATIVITY RETREAT
With Carolyn Dille and Kirtan Coan.
Saturday, February 26, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Meditative awareness is a wellspring of the creative—in artistic
expression as well in our lives. On this day, mindful meditation
and creative practices are offered to cultivate our natural
creativity. The retreat is suitable for beginning and
experienced meditators and creators. Please bring a lunch,
and simple writing and/or drawing materials.
Carolyn is a poet and teacher who facilitates writing and creative
expression workshops. Kirtan is an expressive arts
teacher, a counselor, and an actress. Both Carolyn and
Kirtan have been practicing Buddhist and other meditative
forms for over 30 years, and both have trained in the
Community Dharma Leaders program at Spirit Rock
Meditation Center.
MINDFULNESS OF THE BODY: THURSDAY SERIES
4 Thursdays, March 3 to 24, 7:30 to 9 pm.
This series will explore the different aspects of mindfulness
of the body and how to practice with them.
• March 3, Mindfulness of the Breath—with Hugh
MacMillan
• March 10, Mindfulness of Feeling (Vedana)—with
Cheryl Hylton
• March 17, Mindfulness of Sensation—with Terry Lesser
• March 24, Mindfulness of Activity—with Jim Podolske
DAYLONG RETREAT WITH JAMES BARAZ
Saturday, March 12, 9 am to 4:30 pm
A silent retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation,
and dharma talk. Bring lunch.
James Baraz is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation
Center. He coordinates the Community Dharma Leader program,
Kalyana Mitta Network, is the teacher-advisor to the
Spirit Rock Family and Teen programs, and leads ongoing
meditation classes in the East Bay. In addition to practicing
in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, he has been influenced
by Advaita and Dzogchen teachings, as well as the path of
devotion.
LGBT MINDFULNESS & LOVINGKINDNESS
MEDITATION RETREAT
Saturday, March 19th, 9 am to 4:30 pm with Larry Yang.
IMC is happy to be hosting Larry Yang in this retreat for the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community of the
Bay Area. This day of spiritual practice will explore meditations
on mindfulness and lovingkindness in the Theravada
Buddhist tradition. The day will include the practices of sitting,
walking, eating, movement and Dharma topics. We
will focus on cultivating an open awareness and a loving
heart, spacious enough to include whatever arises, moment
to moment.
Larry Yang is a Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader. He
leads meditation retreats with themes for People of Color,
LGBTQ communities, men’s work, and those in recovery
from addiction. He teaches and leads meditation groups in
San Francisco and Oakland. He is a psychotherapist and consultant
in cultural diversity.
AN EVENING OF BUDDHIST CHANTING
WITH SEAN FEIT
Friday, April 8, 7:30 to 9 pm
We will invoke qualities of the divine by singing joyous,
heartfelt mantras from the Theravadan and Mahayana traditions,
and offer our prayers to what is deepest and most true
in our lives, the world and beyond. No chanting experience
required, only a willingness to open your heart and voice
toward the sacred and beautiful.
Sean Feit has practiced Buddhist meditation for 11 years. He
recently completed the Dedicated Practitioner Program at

SCHEDULE pg. 4
Spirit Rock, and spent the fall of 2002 practicing as a monk in
Burma. He practices yoga, authentic movement and dance,
co-directs Rujeko performance collaboration and teaches
piano in his native Bay Area.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF EMPTINESS
Saturday, April 30, 9 am to 5 pm, with Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
This class is presented by the Sati Center. For more details
and to pre-register (preferred), please see their website:
www.sati.org or 415/646-0530.
MINDFULNESS & THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS ON LOVE
August 21 — 26. A workshop taught by Gil Fronsdal at
Tassajara Zen Center with meditations, teachings and discussions
on the Four Brahmaviharas (Lovingkindness,
Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity). Includes
ample time to enjoy the Tassajara wilderness, hot springs,
and cuisine. Call Tassajara reservations 415/865-1895 or
www.sfzc.org (Early reservations recommended).
DHARMA FRIENDS
Dharma Friends encourages spiritually-based friendships and
a sense of community in our sangha. All sangha members
are welcome to our events and may bring friends. If you are
interested in joining the Dharma Friends Steering
Committee, contact Anne Foster, 650/625-0812,
annefoster2@earthlink.net.
• January 9, February 13—Monthly Singles' Brunch.
Meet at IMC, by the kitchen, at 11 am after the sitting,
or join us at Joy Meadow Restaurant, 701 El Camino
Real, Redwood City, at 11:15 am. Pete Isberg
peteisberg@aol.com, 408/246-0737.
• January 14, February 18, March 18—Friday night
Outings to the Movies. Bill Roberts,
billyblacksmith@yahoo.com.
• January 15, Saturday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm—Feldenkrais
"Awareness through Movement" Workshop. Judy
Windt, judywindt@cs.com, 650/328-4173, Phyllis Klein,
pkgold@earthlink.net.
• Saturday, January 29, 7 to 9 pm—Sangha Art Exhibit
Opening Gala, Carla Brooke silkelegy@aol.com,
650/483-6137.
• February 12, Saturday, 6 pm to 9 pm—Non-Attached
Beings Event for Singles, at IMC. Karen Brown,
408/984-4930 karenb@sbcglobal.net.
• February 20, Sunday, 11 am to 12:30 pm—Dharma
Friends Steering Committee planning meeting for
April - June 2005. IMC conference room. Come join us!
Anne Foster, annefoster2@earthlink.net, 650/625-0812.
• February 20, Sunday, 12:30 to 2 pm.—Easy and
Delicious Vegetarian Cooking with focus on potlucks,
at IMC. Demonstration (with tasting) by Colleen
Patrick-Goudreau of Compassionate Cooks. Pre-registration
required. Suggested donation $20. Dianne Tatro,
DiTatro@aol.com 650/595-4260.
• April 3, Sunday, 2 to 4—Docent-led Tour of Jasper Ridge
by Logical Reserve. Pre-registration required, $5.
Number limited. Dick Scheibel 650/328-0685, Karen
Brown karenb@sbcglobal.net.
ASSOCIATED SANGHAS
COASTSIDE VIPASSANA SANGHA
Meets Wednesdays in Montara, 7:30 to 9 pm. For information
and location see www.CoastsideVipassana.org.
OAKLAND DROP-IN MEDITATION GROUP
Mondays: instruction 5:15 pm; meditation/discussion 5:30
to 6:30 pm. First Monday each month: presentation at 6 pm,
then discussion. Unitarian Church, 14th and Castro, downtown
Oakland. Contact Rebecca Dixon 510/482-2032.
SAN JOSE SANGHA
1041 Morse Street, San Jose. Contact Berget, 408/255-2783
bbjelane@earthlink.net; website: www.geocities.com/sjsangha
• Wednesday Evening Sitting & Discussion, 7:30 to 9 pm
• Beginning Meditation Instruction: 1st Wednesday of
month 6:15 to 7:15 pm
• Basic Buddhist Practice Course, 6 Wednesdays, January
5 to February 9, 6:15 to 7:15 pm. Exploring the fundamentals
of Buddhist practice: 5 Precepts, Brahmaviharas,
4 Noble Truths, 5 Hindrances, Dana/Sila. With Berget.
• One Day Sitting.Saturday, January 8, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
The theme for the day will be Intention. With Berget.
• 5 Week Introduction to Meditation Course. Five
Wednesdays: March 2 to 30, 6:15 to 7:15 pm. With
Berget.
LOCAL BUDDHIST PEACE FELLOWSHIP CHAPTER
This group is composed of participants from different
Buddhist groups. For information contact: Delia McGrath
650/359-0339 or Jill Boone 408/379-6835.
Insight Meditation Center • 1205 Hopkins Ave., Redwood City, CA 94062 • 650/599-3456
Website: www.insightmeditationcenter.org • Email: info@insightmeditationcenter.org