CIMC: Meditation Practice Schedule: Getting Started

Getting Started

We offer introductory instruction in Vipassana meditation in three different formats to accommodate the different schedules and preferences of beginning students. Each of these options provides good preparation for future practice and study at CIMC.:

Tuesday Beginners Drop-In
Beginners Workshops
The Way of Awareness: An Introduction to Vipassana Meditation

The Guidelines for Participation provides additional information about participating at CIMC. See the Recommended Reading list for readings on insight meditation.

Tuesday Beginners Drop-In
(Tuesdays, offered year-round)

These group sessions offer basic instruction in insight meditation (Vipassana) on a drop-in basis, convenient for people who need a flexible schedule. No registration is required. Each class includes instruction, meditation practice, and discussion. This class is appropriate for first-time meditators as well as those with some meditation experience.

Note: Please arrive on time and plan to stay for the entire class. The front door will be locked at 6 pm when the class begins.

Led by:	Narayan Liebenson Grady or CIMC instructors
Meets:	Tuesdays, except August 19 and August 26 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Fee:	$5/class

(Selected Saturdays, offered year-round)

These daylong workshops includes meditation instruction, formal sitting and walking practice and group discussion. They are designed for people who have no meditation experience or who are relatively new to Vipassana. Please bring a vegetarian bag lunch.

Title	Date	Time	Code	Fee
Beginners Workshop Led by Ron Denhardt	March 29	Saturday 10 am - 4 pm	CI304	$45
Beginners Workshop Led by Maddy Klyne	May 3	Saturday 10 am - 4:30 pm	CI303	$45
Beginners Workshop Led by Michael Liebenson Grady	July 26	Saturday 10 am - 4 pm	CI305	$45
Beginners Workshop Led by Maddy Klyne	September 20	Saturday 10 am - 4:30 pm	CI306	$45

We accept registrations by mail or in person.

The Way of Awareness: An Introduction to Vipassana Meditation

This class offers a gradual and systematic introduction to the practice of insight meditation and to the teachings of the Buddha that inform that practice. Each meeting includes instruction, practice and discussion.

Dates	Day/Time	Code	Member Fee	Non-member Fee
Winter Led by Michael Liebenson Grady
March 3 - April 14	Mondays 7:00 - 8:45 pm	CI310	$85	$130
Spring Led by Larry Rosenberg
April 28 - June 9 except May 26	Mondays 7:00 - 8:45 pm	CI312	$75	$110
Summer Led by Michael Liebenson Grady
July 7 - August 11	Mondays 7:00 - 8:45 pm	CI314	$75	$110
Please inquire at the office about our student rates, or call (617) 441-9038

We accept registrations by mail or in person.

Useful Information for Getting Started

Beginners activities are held in either the upper or lower meditation halls. Both can be reached by either a wheel chair accessible elevator or lift. Please contact the office for more information.
Allow an extra 10 or 20 minutes at the first meeting of the Beginners Course or at the beginning of a workshop to sign in and settle into the hall.

On Tuesday evenings the entrance door is locked after the start of the beginners drop-in group at 6:00 pm. Please plan to arrive on time.

It is not necessary to bring your own cushions. Zafus (round cushions), meditation benches, zabutons (large mats) and chairs are available in each hall. Comfortable clothing is recommended.
Shoes and coats should be left in the first floor hallway.
Please bring your valuables with you into the meditation hall.
Do not bring water bottles or food of any kind into the meditation hall.
Cell phones, pagers, beeper watches, etc should be turned off at all times in the Center.
After the sitting, please brush off your zabuton (large mat) and plump up your zafu (round cushion). Also, return any other items (i.e. benches, blankets) to their respective storage spaces so that you leave the hall as you found it.

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