IMCW offers several ways for the beginner to learn how to meditate and to explore insight meditation practice:
- Attend one or more of our weekly meditation classes. We offer weekly classes in many different locations throughout the metro area. Some classes are large (80-300 people) and some are quite small (5-10 people). One will be right for you. Read our information on how classes work.
- In any moment, we can take refuge in awareness and love. When we get lost, we need only pause, relax open to what is Here, and re-arrive in the natural presence that is our true home.
~ Tara Brach
- Participate in an Introduction to Meditation course. These courses provide a thorough introduction to basic meditation practice and are offered at different times and locations throughout the year.
- Watch our Introduction to Meditation video series for beginners to help you get started.
- Read our “How to Meditate” brochure for helpful information.
- Establish a regular meditation time, maybe just 10-15 minutes, during your day when you can find a quiet place and practice meditation. Our guided meditations can help you get started.
- Attend half-day or daylong retreats, offered regularly throughout the greater Washington area.
- Link up with a mentor, who can help you strengthen your daily practice by guiding you and working with challenges and questions that come up.
- Sign up for our newsletters while you’re on the IMCW website. The monthly ENews gives the latest class and retreat information, and the weekly Off the Cushion newsletter offers social activities, lectures and opportunities for service. There is also a monthly Family Meditation Newsletter for families interested in our children's and teen events.
- Check out our book list, which offers introductory materials that will help you get started.
- Volunteer to help before or after your class-—it’s a great way to get to know people and knowing that your friends need you to help set up chairs or put out tea cups will help you get to class
- And when you've worked on these, move on to our Establishing Practice and Deepening Practice pages.