SPRING 2012 OFFERINGS:
Buddha’s Brain
New breakthroughs in neuroscience show us how we can use our mind to change our brain, just as the Buddha says. Learn about how the brain conditions our emotions and our behavior.
The Buddha discovered that the mind is like Velcro for negative experiences, and like Teflon for positive ones. But the brain has neuroplasticity, it can change and we can change!
Buddha’s Brain: the neuroscience of happiness, love & wisdom by Rick Hanson is the core text.
Taught by: Cheryl Wilfong
Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:00 pm, Neighbors’ Hall
May 22nd – June 26th (6 weeks)
$30 registration
Begin Again
Especially designed for those who would like to resume a consistent meditation practice, this course guides you to explore both meditation and applied mindfulness in the midst of daily life with the help of a teacher and a supportive group. You will be able to connect to the richness of the ancient teachings and to what it means to be awake and mindful.
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is the core text with supplemental readings from the Pali canon. Open to those who have already received an introduction to Vipassana meditation or Mindfulness practice.
Taught by: Cheryl Wilfong
Monday evenings 4:30 – 6:00pm, Neighbors’ Hall
April 16th – June 4th (8 weeks)
$40 registration
Transforming the Mind, Transforming Our Lives
In this course we explore in depth the Buddha’s core teachings as they relate to our moment-to-moment life experience. We investigate the nature of this body-heart-mind, what the Buddha taught about what it means to be a human being, and how we can transform the mind through meditation practice and mindfulness in daily life. The core text is The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield, supplemented by other readings.
Previous experience with Insight meditation a prerequisite; check with the teachers before registering.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley
Monday evenings 6:30 – 8:00pm, Neighbors’ Hall
April 9th – June 25th (10 weeks – no class on April 30th or May 7th)
We regret to say that this course is now full for the Spring term. If you would like to be put on a wait list, please email us at information@vermontinsight.org.
Deepening our Meditation Practice
Our meditation practice is a lifelong experience of ever-deepening and widening understanding. Simultaneously, we learn and strengthen the tools of meditation practice as we open to the mystery of its unfolding both on the cushion and in our daily life. By connecting to the deepest meanings of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, we come to understand the path of practice and its integration into all aspects of what it means to be a human being.
Voices of Insight, an edited anthology by Sharon Salzberg, is the core text.
Open to those who have already received and introduction to Vipassana meditation or Mindfulness practice.
Taught by: Claire Stanley
Tuesday evenings 4:30 – 6:00pm, Neighbors’ Hall
April 10th to June 12th (8 weeks – no class on May 1st or May 8th)
$40 registration
Doing the Buddha’s Practice, Part Two
The mind is inherently radiant and peaceful. When disturbances and afflictions arise in the mind, they are like visiting guests who take up residence in a house that is not their own. In this course, we investigate the true nature of mind and its qualities, as well as the nature of the disturbances and afflictions that make themselves at home in the mind. This kind of investigation, through the practice of insight meditation, is one of the vehicles that leads to freeing the mind. The core text is Insight Meditation: the Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein, supplemented by excerpts from the Pali Canon.
Open to anyone who has received initial instruction in Vipassana meditation or Mindfulness practice.
Supplementary $10 fee to Vermont Insight for photocopying of materials.
Taught by: Jack Millett
Tuesday evenings 6:30 – 8pm, 167 Main Street, Suite #306
April 10th – June 26th (10 weeks – no class on May 1st or May 8th)
We regret to say that this course is now full for the Spring term. If you would like to be put on a wait list, please email us at information@vermontinsight.org.
Introduction to Insight Meditation
A course for those who are new to meditation or who would like to begin again, Insight meditation leads to clear seeing into the nature of our hearts and minds, revealing an inherent clarity, openness, and ease. Course sessions include meditation instructions, discussions, and weekly assignments. Participants learn how to establish a daily meditation practice as well as how to maintain compassionate and mindful living, studied within the context of a supportive group. Insight Meditation by Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein is the core text with CD’s.
Taught by Manny Mansbach
Wednesday evenings 4:00 – 5:30pm, Neighbors’ Hall
April 18th to June 6th (8 weeks)
$40 registration
The Happiness of a Pure Heart
In order to increase the breadth and depth of a loving and pure heart, the Buddha gave us a training sequence known as Brahma Vihara practice. The four Brahma Viharas (Heavenly Abodes) are: lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. In this course, we practice the meditations that are specific to each of the Brahma Viharas and we learn how to integrate these beautiful qualities of heart and mind into our lives. We also discover how these Heavenly Abodes of the heart-mind benefit ourselves and all beings.
Lovingkindness: the Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg is the core text with supplemental readings from the Buddha’s teaching.
This course is for experienced students. Previous experience with Insight meditation is a prerequisite.
Supplemental readings may be given. There is a $10 fee for materials.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley
Thursday evenings 6:30 – 8:00pm, Neighbors’ Hall
April 12th – June 28th (10 weeks – no class on May 3rd or May 10th)
$50 registration
Information and Registration
Please call (802) 254-7077 or email information@vermontinsight.org for information or to register for any course.
Dana and Fees
For 2600 years, since the time of the Buddha, the teachings have been considered priceless and have been offered freely. Within the Theravada Buddhist tradition, generosity or Dana is practiced by making an offering to the teachers. In Asian countries, this has meant offering food, clothing and shelter to the monks and nuns who teach in those countries. As Buddhism has come to the West, lay teachers have sought to preserve this tradition in a way that maintains the integrity of the tradition and yet makes sense and supports the continuation of the teachings. The teachers offer the Dana or generosity of their teaching and they are supported through the Dana of the students and the community. Weekly or bi-monthly sitting groups and daylong meditation retreats are offered on a Dana basis.
For the ten-week courses, there is a registration fee to Vermont Insight of $50. This fee contributes to all expenses incurred by Vermont Insight in relation to the course offerings. Many students have asked what is appropriate to offer as Dana to the course teachers. A donation of $180 or more, according to your financial means, is suggested. For eight-week courses there is a registration fee of $40 with a suggested donation of $150 and for six-week courses, a registration fee of $30 with a suggested donation of $110.
PREVIOUS 2012 OFFERINGS:
The Way to Freedom, Part Two
The way to freedom from suffering is outlined in the Buddha’s Eightfold Path. This course is for experienced students who are already enrolled from the Part One course in the fall. Selected readings and dharma talks given each week by lay Theravada teachers from Insight Meditation Society and elsewhere.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley (10 weeks)
Doing the Buddha’s Practice, Part One
The mind is inherently radiant and peaceful. When disturbances and afflictions arise in the mind, they are like visiting guests who take up residence in a house that is not their own. In this course, we investigate the true nature of mind and its qualities, as well as the nature of the disturbances and afflictions that make themselves at home in the mind. This kind of investigation, through the practice of insight meditation, is one of the vehicles that leads to freeing the mind. The core text is Insight Meditation: the Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein, supplemented by excerpts from the Pali Canon. Open to anyone who has received initial instruction in Vipassana meditation or Mindfulness practice.
Taught by: Jack Millett (10 weeks)
Cultivating Equanimity, Wisdom and Kindness
In this exploration of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right View, Right Intention, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration are studied and practiced in depth. In working with these path factors, the mind qualities of equanimity, wisdom and kindness naturally develop. The core text is Happiness is an Inside Job by Sylvia Boorstein, supplemented by texts from Asian and Western dharma teachers as well as recorded dharma talks. Open to those who have already developed a Vipassana or Mindfulness meditation practice.
Taught by: Claire Stanley and Jack Millett (10 weeks)
Introduction to Insight Meditation
A course for those who are new to meditation or who would like to begin again, Insight meditation leads to clear seeing into the nature of our hearts and minds, revealing an inherent clarity, openness, and ease. Course sessions include meditation instructions, discussions, and weekly assignments. Participants learn how to establish a daily meditation practice as well as how to maintain compassionate and mindful living, studied within the context of a supportive group. Insight Meditation by Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein is the core text with CD’s.
Taught by: Claire Stanley
The Open Heart and Mind
Buddhist teachings see the judging mind as a problem that interferes with our innate openness. This class will attempt to clarify how this is true. We will be looking closely at the tendency toward black and white thinking and snap judgments. These habits close us off to the many colors and subtleties of our own lives and to the world around us. They prevent us from discovering the ways that life is fresh and mysterious. We will be encouraged to bring the spirit and practice of inquiry to our meditations and daily lives over the four weeks of the course. This course is for students with previous background in mindfulness meditation.
Taught by: Kate Wylie
2011 OFFERINGS:
What the Buddha Taught: the Suttas for Householders
While most of the teachings that have been recorded from the time of the Buddha were those given to the community of monks and nuns, there remains a significant number of suttas (390 suttas out of approximately 6,000) that address specific issues in the life of householders. This six-week course offers an introduction to a selected number of these householder suttas, offering insight into the content as well as training in the practice of contemplation of what the Buddha taught in his own words.
Taught by: Cheryl Wilfong
The Way to Freedom from Suffering, Part One
The way to freedom from suffering is outlined in the Buddha’s Eightfold Path. The Fall course offers an in-depth exploration of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood. It is a two-part course offered in the fall of 2011 and the winter of 2012. Priority is given to those who can commit to both courses.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley
Introduction to Insight Meditation
A course for those who are new to meditation or who would like to begin again, Insight meditation leads to clear seeing into the nature of our hearts and minds, revealing an inherent clarity, openness, and ease. Course sessions include meditation instructions, discussions, and weekly assignments. Participants learn how to establish a daily meditation practice as well as how to maintain compassionate and mindful living, studied within the context of a supportive group. Insight Meditation by Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein is the core text with CD’s.
Taught by: Cheryl Wilfong
Walking the Path, Cultivating Happiness
To walk the path of the Middle Way, one investigates eight factors that lead to a life of cultivating happiness, wisdom, and compassion. This course is an overview of the Buddha’s teaching on the Middle Way that, when studied and practiced with like-minded friends, can open up new levels of insight and understanding. The core text is The Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Bhante Gunaratana, supplemented by other readings.
Taught by: Jack Millett
Training the Mind: Seeing Things as They Are
In the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha adds a refrain to the exploration of each of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. In this refrain, he points to the Three Characteristics of all experience: the insubstantiality (anatta), impermanence (anicca), and unsatisfactoriness (dukkha). Seeing clearly into the truth of the Three Characteristics, he promises, is the sure path to liberation. This course is for experienced students. Selected readings given each week. $10 fee to Vermont Insight for photocopying of materials.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley
The Essential Teachings of Liberation
For forty-five years after his awakening, the Buddha wandered in Northern India teaching the path of freedom that he called The Middle Way. Since that time, for nearly 2,600 years, women and men of many nations around the planet have walked this path to their own freedom and awakening. This course explores the essential teachings that point to our own freedom. The core text is One Dharma by Joseph Goldstein.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley (10 weeks)
Introduction to Insight Meditation
A course for those who are new to meditation or who would like to begin again, Insight meditation leads to clear seeing into the nature of our hearts and minds, revealing an inherent clarity, openness, and ease. Course sessions include meditation instructions, discussions, and weekly assignments. Participants learn how to establish a daily meditation practice as well as how to maintain compassionate and mindful living, studied within the context of a supportive group. Insight Meditation by Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein is the core text with CD’s.
Taught by: Cheryl Wilfong (8 weeks)
Perfections of the Heart
The path of kindness is the path of happiness, according to the Buddha. The Ten Perfections of the Heart, are like a ten-sided jewel that shine brightly and show us the way to a kinder, gentler, and happier life. When the Perfections are practiced in daily life in addition to our mindfulness meditation practice, our minds and hearts open to the transformation that is the promise of our path. The core text is Pay Attention, for Goodness’ Sake by Sylvia Boorstein.
Taught by: Jack Millett (8 weeks)
Contemplation of Mind: Working with Emotions
In the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha laid out a complete curriculum for awakening through the Four Foundations of Mindfulness – mindfulness of body, feelings, mind and mind objects. In this course, we explore the third foundation that is contemplation of mind with the aim of inclining the mind toward liberation through the development of a skillful relationship with emotions. Selected readings given each week.
Taught by: Jack Millett and Claire Stanley (10 weeks)
