Please help us grow! Please support the mission of the Insight Community of the Desert so that we can offer more programs and services to the Coachella Valley. Many blessings for your generosity!
Anurag Gupta's Vision 2040 is a project targeting the changing landscape of race in the United States. Our FoundingTeacher, Larry Yang, shared his vision for a beloved community.
#beLoved Community - Vision 2040
A Message from our Guiding Teacher with Community Reflections
Greetings Dear Friends,
On May 3rd, we celebrated Insight Community of the Desert's third Anniversary. As part of that gathering, community members were asked to share reflections on why they attend ICD. Please see the moving and heartfelt messages below. As Guiding Teacher I was truly heartened and inspired by these reflections.
Please know that whether you have attended once or many times, you are part of something. We practice together, to support each other and in doing so we make the community and the world more peaceful. The fact that in what is really such a short time, we are taking active steps to move into our own space, speaks to your commitment to your selves and to the community as a whole.
I invite you to join us as we move forward to co-create this "Next Buddha" in our own home, perhaps thinking about; "What would I like it to look and feel like? And what would I be willing to do to make that happen?" Deep bows of gratitude for your practice and I hope to see you soon! Beth Mulligan Our Reflections! To sit with people and to breathe. To explore the causes of my suffering Sunday is my anchor. I feel more open here - a safe environment I appreciate the teachings and the time the teachers put into them I come because I'm learning to love myself and this is a kindness I do for myself by sitting with other kind people. I keep on coming back because I feel safe, a place where I can feel everything without having to assess, react. It gives me a sense of belonging and being connected to others. I feel nurtured here. I come to ICD for my weekly, much needed kindness and compassion tune-up. I find spiritual comfort. I feel centered here and want to learn more. The teachings and group meditations strengthen my own practice, which in turn makes me happier and more efficient in the world. I come for safety, love, discipline and inspiration. It's my reset button. I feel more grounded and my petty emotional trials and tribulations are placed in their proper trash can. It reduces my suffering, makes me a better, happier person and makes life seem more sensible. It calms me. I come for the loving wisdom. I feel better when I leave. I come for the sense of belonging and also to hear the dharma live from our engaged teachers. It's a safe and peaceful place that accepts me for who I am and what I am.
A report on the first meeting of Western Buddhist leaders at the White House Larry has just returned from the first Conference of US Buddhist Leaders at the White House yesterday (May 15). There were conversations about Climate Change, Social Economic and Racial Justice, as well other current issues of urgency between 125 monastics, spiritual leaders and teachers, social activists, and scholars, and White House administration and staff. One suggestion was that next year the meeting is taken to the other side of the National Mall--i.e. Congress.
On July 26, 2015 we held our opening meeting for our new home at 1111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Bldg. C, 2nd Floor, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Come and practice together in a new space dedicated to mindfulness meditation and practice serving the Coachella Valley. Our new center is the manifestation of a cherished vision -- a vision of compassion, learning, service and community. Your gifts of service, dana and especially your presence and practice are the ground that has allowed this vision to become realized.
The new center location and mailing address is: 1111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Bldg. C, 2nd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262
We've Moved!
Some of the 102 folks who showed up for our first meeting in
our new space!
Other Practice Opportunities with ICD Teachers:
Beth Mulligan
5 day Residential Retreat January 3 - 8, 2017! Visit Mindful Way's website for this and other events with Beth and Hugh! Larry Yang One and the Same: Mindfulness and Kindness DAYLONG WITH LARRY IN PALM DESERT! November 19, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Presented by UC Riverside - Osher This day-long meditation retreat will explore the interwoven nature of Mindfulness with Lovingkindness/Heart Practices. Both are contemplative and meditative practices which create a more expansive heart, and more peaceful mind. They are doors into the experience of freedom and greater happiness.
There will be contemplative sitting and walking meditations, along with group exercises and sharing. These will support our collective deepening into experiencing the Awareness within Love, and the Love that flows from Awareness. Both new and experienced practitioners are invited to attend. Please bring your lunch, and a cushion if you use one. to learn more click here For more information on teaching and practice opportunities with Larry:Larryyang.org Cheryl Slean Cheryl will be co-teaching the 8th Annual Against the Stream West Coast Meditation retreat at Joshua Tree. September 25, 2016 to October 2, 2016. Visit againstthestream.org for more information.
For more information on teaching and practice opportunities with Cheryl:aMindfulLife.org
Awakening Together, words for these times by our Founding Teacher, Larry Yang
Mindfulness meditation is a proven path to becoming more open, compassionate and relaxed in our ever-changing lives, in this "eternal unfolding moment".
The Buddha taught mindfulness as a technique we can each develop that brings greater presence, calm, clarity, and ultimately -- freedom, into our experience.
In this five week course, led by Ian Challis, we will examine and practice the techniques of Insight Meditation in the context of the Buddha's teachings.
Our focus will be a Solid Foundation: the fundamentals of practice; meditation techniques; working with distractions; lovingkindness meditation; integrating your practice and your life; practicing in community, and more. Well alternate practice periods, instruction, Q&A and discussion.
Class dates: Five Thursday evenings (Jan 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16) 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Registration and cost: Suggested $75 donation for this five week class series. Sliding scale and full scholarships available. Space is limited so please pre-register!
Meditation: A Solid Foundation A five week class series for beginners and experienced meditators
January 19 - February 16, 2017 Thursday evening 6:30 - 8:00
