Offering Mindfulness Meditation
in the context of the Buddha’s teachings
in a welcoming community
Spotlight Events and News
Check out “Newsworthy” for more events with ICD teachers.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with Beth Mulligan & Ian Challis
Starting January 23, 2020, experience the original 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program!
Expertly designed, and research-backed, the MBSR course will teach you how to understand and work with the mind-body connection in order to reduce stress and improve self-regulation. The program, which will be taught in Palm Springs, provides fun and effective training in a variety of mindfulness techniques, including mindfulness meditation instruction, relaxing body awareness practices, and gentle yoga-type exercises.
Awakening into the Heart of Love: Retreat with Arinna Weisman and Ian Challis
Silent Retreat March 13 – 16, 2020
Come, relax and practice with your spiritual community of friends at Dhamma Dena. We are happy to again offer this special opportunity for Insight Community of the Desert sangha members to come together for a weekend of deepening practice.
Season of Gratitude & Generosity
So grateful for our community and these amazing opportunities!
We hope this finds you well and happy as we move into the autumn months. We’d like to renew our welcome to Insight Community of the Desert, and all the wonderful ways that we share and express spiritual community, or sangha.
In the months ahead, we have so much to be grateful for, and so many opportunities for practice and being together. Please read ahead for all the wonderful events that generate gratitude!
Here are some of the beautiful and unique practice opportunities that we have experienced together.
November 3: Pride Parade. We marched for the first time on November 3, supporting our LGBTQ+ community.
November 3: John Martin, Guest Teacher. John traveled from San Francisco for the Dharma Talk and Meditation. We have gratitude for the diversity of teachers that we are able to host.
Nov 16: Arinna Weisman Daylong – Dedicated to the Practice of Finding Love
Arinna brought her open heart to share insights on finding the love within that is not based on conditions.
November 17: Carol Cano and Noliwe Alexander, Guest Teachers.
We were fortunate to sit with Carol and Noliwe as they shared their insights from their Dhamma Dena retreat on Healing the Heart through Understanding Power & Love.
Here are some of the practice opportunities that are coming up.
Nov 28: Thanksgiving – Feast of Gratitude.
Another first! Join your friends at 3:00pm on Thanksgiving to share food and fun with like-minded folks.
December 7: An afternoon with Alan Arkin.
Bows of gratitude for the generosity of Alan Arkin in providing his presence at a fundraiser in support of our spiritual community.
Pledge month begins in early December
The practical expression of the awakening heart! Our opportunity to offer support and health to what we value, what we know to be of value and benefit to our communities.
December 29 – January 5: Welcoming the New Year – A Week of Practice.
Welcome the New Year with ICD teachers and sangha with a practice event each day! Start the year with mindfulness and a grateful heart!
Please join your community in this “Season of Gratitude & Generosity”! What we are creating together at Insight Community of the Desert touches many hearts and the goodness of our practice benefits beings without limit!
Reuel Young, President
For the Board
Ian Challis, Guiding Teacher
For the Teachers Circle
Gratitude is…
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The foundation for real connection and spiritual growth.
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Meeting what arises with the quality of acceptance and friendliness.
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Opening our hearts to what we appreciate and allowing that appreciation to support us.
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Present when we feel most connected to our authentic selves.
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An appreciation of our blessings and a heartfelt desire to pass them on to others.
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A blessing of infinite power!
Generosity is…
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Expressing our gratitude through giving love, compassion, time, energy, and resources to serve the highest welfare of all beings.
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One of the Three Pillars of the Dharma, along with ethical conduct and meditation.
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The first (and the foundation) of the 10 Paramis – essential elements of the Boddhisattva path.
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The essence and expression of unconditional love – the boundlessly open heart-mind.
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Selfless. Free from attachment and expectation of reward or recognition.
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Contagious. The generosity of others encourages and supports our own, and vice versa!
New to Meditation?
Can we help?
- Intro to meditation: Learn to Meditate, First Saturday of the month at 10:30 am.
- Check out our Calendar for Regular and Special Events.
- FAQ’s (Coming soon)
- Resources and information on Mindfulness Meditation
- Contact us if we can answer any questions!
Newsworthy
Alan Arkin Visits ICD
Alan Arkin appeared at a sold out event at Insight Community of the Desert on December 7, 2019. All of us at ICD are so deeply moved and grateful for our community being able to raise $16,400 at this event. In response, this note from Ian Challis, our Guiding Teacher:
5 Day Silent Mindfulness Retreat
January 2 – 7, 2020.
Joshua Tree Retreat Center.
Join us for 5 days of silence and meditation; a great way to start the New Year. This retreat is an opportunity to renew and deepen your practice of mindfulness and living fully.
Awakening into the New Year: A Residential Retreat with Cheryl Slean & Dave Smith
December 27, 2019 – January 1, 2020
Big Bear Retreat Center
We’ll gather over the New Year holiday to cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves through gentle and sustained awareness of our breath, body, heart and mind.
Insight Community of the Desert
Location
Our center is centrally located between downtown Palm Springs and the airport.
Address:
1111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Building C, 2nd Floor
Palm Springs, CA 92262