Affinity Groups

Many insight meditation centers around the United States offer guidance for members to self-organize to discuss the teachings and their applications to daily life in a friendly and supportive environment.

As a peer-led group, the participants of a Dharma Friends or Kalyana Mitta group determine what to read and the structure of the weekly meetings. Discussions center on bringing the Dharma into practice in daily life.

For questions about joining a group, starting your own, or being put on a waiting list, please contact us>>

Wednesday Dharma Friends

Wednesday Evenings 6:30 – 8:00 pm (ongoing)
Via Zoom, for more information, contact us>>
All are welcome!

This group has been running since 2010 for people who vary widely in their experience with meditation. A set format is followed: 20 minutes of reading from a group-selected source (usually a book) that stays within arms reach of well-grounded teachings; 20 minutes of meditation; an optional check-in regarding our practice and residual discussion; ending with a short meditation and announcements.

This group is ongoing throughout the year and is open to all sangha members.

Sunday Evening Sutta Study Group

7:00 — 8:30 pm (meets every 3 weeks)

Currently on Zoom. Possibly hybrid in the future.
Waiting List.
for more information or to join the waiting list,contact us>>

This long-standing group studies texts from the Pali Cannon and contemporary Dharma teachers. Reading and discussion is preceded and followed by a brief period of meditation. Open to all Sangha members, the group is capped at 8 participants and maintains a waiting list.

Mindful of Race Alumni Group (MORA)

7:00-8:30 pm, 3rd Tuesday of the Month via Zoom
Prerequisite.
For more information, contact VIMC Assistant Teacher Susan Dreyer Leon here>>

This group is open to anyone who has participated in a VIMC Mindful of Race course in the past few years. The goal of the group is to provide ongoing support for members on their journey to integrate their mindfulness practice and person and/or professional and community Anti-racism work. We hope that the ongoing support of the group will be of benefit to individuals, to VIMC, and to the wider communities of which members are a part through the work of inner transformation for outer change.

The group is self-facilitated with members sharing responsibility for choosing topics, readings, and resources and rotating facilitation. Our current commitment is to use the methodology of Way of Council to facilitate our meetings.

Past Groups

Eco-Dharma

This group explored the impact of climate change and steps that might prove fruitful in reducing human contributions to the growing problem. Each meeting began with twenty minutes of meditation, followed by a discussion based upon members’ reading of a chosen text.

Recovery Dharma Global

Currently, there are no Recovery Dharma groups being offered in the Brattleboro Area. Check https://recoverydharma.org/ for a schedule of online meetings.

Recovery Dharma Global is a peer-led movement and community with a program that offers the Buddhist practices of meditation, self-inquiry, wisdom, compassion, and community –traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma– as tools for recovery and healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom.

Parents of Young Children

This group is not meeting currently.