About IMCW

The Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) is a spiritual community that teaches and practices Vipassana meditation. IMCW has grown from a small group gathered around Tara Brach in the Fireside Room at the River Road Unitarian Church (RRUC) to a large and thriving community sponsoring an extensive program of ongoing meditation classes, day-long, weekend, week-long residential meditation retreats and special classes.

Tara Brach continues to lead the large weekly Wednesday night meditation class of 200 people at RRUC in Bethesda and there are now regular meditation classes throughout the Washington DC area led by the growing IMCW teacher body in Takoma Park, MD, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Baltimore, MD.

In addition to founder and senior resident teacher, Tara Brach, IMCW is guided by a Board of Directors, Teacher's Council and several non-residential Vipassana teachers including Jack Kornfield, James Baraz, Carol Wilson, Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein. Over two dozen Kalyana Mitta groups of "spiritual friends" continue to support individual practice.

IMCW is committed to both the deepening of individual practice and the growth of spiritual community (sangha). We are supported by an administrative staff of two, but the majority of programs and activities are generated and supported by active and dedicated volunteers, who do everything from managing retreats and teaching classes to running the annual Silent Auction and setting up chairs.

IMCW extends a warm welcome to both newcomers to meditation and long time practitioners. There are many opportunities to participate and support practice as we continue to grow, explore acquiring a home of our own and expanding our programs in the area of children and adolescents, mindfulness in the work place, stress management, addiction and recovery and non-violent communication.

In 1998 IMCW was recognized as a non-profit religious organization by the State of Maryland and was granted tax exempt status by the IRS.

Mission Statement of IMCW

Promoting the instruction and practice of Buddhist Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and related Buddhist teachings which awaken our natural wisdom and compassion.
Cultivating the growth of spiritual community (sangha) with the intent of serving the larger sangha, the community of all beings.

Program Summary

Meditation Classes in Bethesda: Led by Tara Brach,Wednesday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 pm at the River Road Unitarian Church. Classes include meditation instruction, group sitting, and dharma talks. Attendance is typically 200 people. For those interested in participating in smaller groups, the Kalyana Mitta groups offer that opportunity. IMCW also offers ongoing meditation classes at other locations throughout the DC area.

Orientation for those new to Vipassana or the Wednesday Class: A brief orientation is held at 7:00 pm in the fellowship room of the River Road Unitarian Church. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Orientation material is also provided on the Welcome Flyer.

Introductory Courses: A four or five week or half-day exploration of the foundations of Buddhist mindfulness meditation. These courses are offered several times a year. See Intro Classes and Workshops for more information on Introductory courses.

Vipassana Classes for Deepening Practice – An opportunity to deepen meditation practice: Led by Tara Brach, Fourth Monday of the month, at the Carderock Springs Swim Club. This class is open to all those who would like to explore deepening their practice through a format that includes a silent 45 minute meditation, and time for questions and answers. See Deepening Practice Class page for details.

Vipassana Classes for Beginning Students – An opportunity to review and practice basic meditation instructions. See Intro Classes and Workshops for more information on Beginning Students classes.

Ongoing Meditation Classes: Sitting practice, short Dharma talks, and an opportunity for discussion. Groups meet in Arlington, Fairfax and Oakton, VA, Takoma Park, MD, Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD. Click here for more information.

Day-Long Meditation Retreats: Mindfulness gatherings for sitting practice, walking, eating and "being" in silence. The days end with a lovingkindness meditation and time for sharing. Held several times per year. See Non-Residential Retreats for more information.

Residential Meditation Retreats - Intimacy With Life: Weekend and seven-day vipassana meditation retreats with yoga and sacred music. Alternating periods of silent sitting and walking meditation (typically 30 to 45 minutes in length) interspersed with meditation instructions and Dharma talks. Silence is maintained, except during question/answer periods and interviews, to help participants discover a sense of stillness, deep listening and intimacy with themselves and the world. Held during the Spring and Fall of each year. Led by Tara Brach and a visiting teacher(s). Intimacy With Life weeklong retreats are led by Tara and visiting teachers in the fall and spring. Weekend retreats are led by Tara and other IMCW teachers throughout the year. See Residential Retreats for more information.

Kalyana Mitta Groups: These are small groups who meet bi-weekly for meditation, and for more personal opportunities to inquire into the effects of practice on their daily lives. The groups are facilitated by IMCW leaders, and meet in homes throughout the Washington area. Go to Kalyana Mitta Groups page.

IMCW Mentoring Program: This program offers guidance and skill development to people whose meditation practice is in its early stages. Residence in the greater DC area (including Frederick, MD, and Shepherdstown, WV), and some previous training in vipassana meditation are required. For more information and an application please go to the Mentoring Program Page.

Sutta Study Groups: Study groups meet once a month to explore the Pali Canon, typically working with a sutta from the Middle Length Discourses. The discussion is relaxed and informal, with an emphasis on finding the relevance of the ancient teachings for our own lives and spiritual practice. For further information, visit Sutta Study Program page.

On the Cushion: An opportunity to support daily practice by meeting on a regular basis for short, silent meditations where you work and live . Groups are currently available in Lovettsville, VA and Washington, DC. For more information please go to the Daily Meditation Groups page.

Note: In keeping with Buddhist tradition, there is generally no required fee for these teachings. Rather, students express their gratitude for the teachings by offering donations. This is called "dana" (dana means generosity), and allows for an open-hearted exchange.