March 24, 2020
We are delighted at the success of our 20+ new online classes, as well as the livestreams of Tara Brach and Jonathan Foust that went out this week. In one week our classes have reached over 120,000 people all over the U.S. and in 40 countries. We also hope to have Hugh Byrne’s class streaming soon. Find and subscribe to their livestreams on the IMCW Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Your donations help us with this effort. We’re aware that many of you are experiencing income insecurity right now, with uncertainty that reaches into the future. With that in mind, we are grateful for anyone who is in a stable financial position who can make a donation that will help defray the costs of this online undertaking. When the COVID-19 crisis is over this infrastructure will remain, and we’ll be in a strong position to continue sharing the teachings and practices in this way.
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March 20, 2020
IMCW is pleased to offer new meditation classes at Midday (1 p.m.) and Tea Time (5 p.m.) every weekday, beginning Monday, March 23. They will run for an hour and hope to provide some respite and community during your day. Please see the online calendar for details.
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March 19, 2020
Dear Ones,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of all residential retreats that start before the end of April 2020.
We had been optimistic that those beginning at the end of April or early May might go forward, but now the federal government recommends canceling gatherings of ten or more. The Center for Disease Control anticipates that these restrictions will be in place for at least eight weeks, possibly more. So it seems wise to cancel now.
If you are able, we strongly encourage you to remain at home and practice social distancing as much as possible. We have Dharma talks and meditations to help you continue your practice at IMCW.org. Most of our weekly classes are also being offered online. We will be starting daytime classes to this Saturday. We hope that you will sample classes and teachers that you may not be able to get to in person.
Over the next few days, we will be processing full refunds for your registration fees. If you originally paid by credit card, the refund will be applied to that card. As you might imagine, the retreat managers have already done a great deal of work and IMCW intends to compensate them for this in lieu of the dana they would receive at the end of a retreat. If you would like to donate some or all of your registration deposit to the retreat managers, please let Anne know.
All of us at IMCW hope that we will see you soon and wish you good health and much Metta.
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March 18, 2020
We are delighted that our website is back up and apologize for any inconvenience yesterday afternoon. We’re grateful for your patience as we move our classes online.
Tara Brach’s class will be Live-streamed on the IMCW Facebook page today (Wednesday) at 7:30-9 p.m. Hope to see you there!
We will be adding daytime classes with meditation and dharma (teaching) talks which will begin on Saturday. They’ll run for an hour at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. (No 9 a.m. on Sundays.) These Morning, Midday and Tea Time Meditations with Zoom links will be on our Live/Online Calendar as soon as we can get them up.
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March 16, 2020
Most of IMCW’s events during the coming month are offered online now. A few more will be added tomorrow. Please see our virtual/online calendar for details. And contact your class teacher if you have any questions (“Contact Us” button on the class page.)
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be at ease.
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March 14, 2020
The Arlington class on Sundays with Jennifer Stanley will meet online until further notice. Please see the class pages for details on our Online/Virtual Event Calendar.
The Young Adult Sangha, monthly on Saturdays, with Luana Long and Ashleigh Enriquez will meet online. Please see class page.
The Reston classes on Sundays and Tuesdays with Steve Zappalla are canceled for the next two weeks.
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March 13, 2020
Class Updates:
The following classes are now meeting online until further notice. Please see the class pages for details on our Online/Virtual Event Calendar:
The Singles Sangha on Friday night, March13 (tonight).
The Fairfax class on Sunday with Jon and Stig.
The Tenleytown morning classes with Karolynn, Silvia and Gene.
The Frederick class on Sunday with Adam.
The McLean Women’s class on Saturdays with Rashmi.
The Winchester/Stephens City class on Tuesdays with Shell Fischer has been CANCELED for March 17 and 24. You are invited to join the online classes listed on our calendar of online/virtual classes.
Retreat Updates:
The following retreats will be offered online. Registration is required:
POC Daylong with Kate Johnson, this Saturday, March 14.
LGBTQIA+ Daylong with Kate Johnson, this Sunday, March 15.
Mindful Communication in Challenging Times, with Bill Mies, this Sunday, March 15.
Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), with Bill Mies, April 2.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Bill Mies, Thursdays, April 16-June 4.
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March 12, 2020
Updates:
The Singles Sangha will meet online tomorrow night, Friday, March 13. See the class page for details and the Zoom link.
Hugh Byrne’s Sunday class at Tenleytown will meet online until further notice. See the class page for details.
Trisha Stotler’s Sunday morning class will meet online until further notice. See class page for details.
For information (Zoom links, etc.) on all current ONLINE IMCW CLASSES, please see our calendar, here.
As decisions are made about series and retreats, registrants will be contacted by their teacher or retreat manager.
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March 11, 2020
Updates:
(6:05 p.m.) The Monday class at UU Arlington with Jonathan Foust is canceled until further notice. However, Jonathan will be live-streaming at https://www.facebook.com/foustjonathan/.
(5:39 p.m.) The Monday class at St. Mark’s Church in Capital Hill with Collie Agle is canceled for the time being. We are exploring options to hold it online, and will put out more information as it becomes available.
(10 a.m.) The following classes are moving online until further notice. Please see your class page on the drop-in class calendar for details:
- Stan’s Wednesday night Ellicott City/Columbia class at Centennial High School.
- The Monday night Takoma Park Class at Seekers Church.
- The Sunday night Logan Circle class at Flow Yoga.
Tara Brach’s Wednesday night class in Bethesda on March 11 will be offered as a recording and March 18 may be live-streamed–we are looking into options.
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March 10, 2020
Update: Tara Brach’s classes for March 11 and 18 have been canceled. We are working to post a new talk for this week and will put up more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, please see our Talks pages for guided meditations and dharma (teaching) talks.
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March 7, 2020
When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Dear Friends,
IMCW cares deeply about our community and its members. We are paying close attention to what is unfolding regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and bringing our full care to what will best serve our community. To all who are impacted directly by the Coronavirus, we send our metta, our prayers.
For the time being, all of our offerings will continue as scheduled. We are looking into the best options for if we need to move our classes & groups to a virtual space.
We will take precautions at our classes throughout the metro D.C. area We have asked our teachers, facilitators and KM leaders to provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer at your class(es) or event(s). (Understanding that it may be difficult to find sanitizer until new supplies come in.) They will keep in contact with their venues to know about protocols and possible closings. We encourage everyone to greet each other at class with a bow, rather than hugging.
Please be sure to keep an eye on the IMCW homepage AND your class page for the latest information.
We invite those of you who choose to stay home but who want to join us virtually, to see our Talks pages, where you will find hundreds of guided meditations and dharma (teaching) talks.
Finally, these are the times when we can most feel our togetherness on this interconnected planet — our shared fragility, vulnerability, interdependence and care. Your practice of mindfulness and compassion can become a precious resource amidst growing reactivity and suffering.
Our world needs those who can remember to come into presence, remember to breathe, remember to listen, remember to hold what is unfolding in a space of compassion.
May all beings be held in the heart of lovingkindness.
May all beings be free from inner and outer harm.
May all beings be well.
May all beings have ease of well-being.
May our life be of service to all beings.
May all beings come to know great and natural peace.
May all beings awaken and be free.
May your practice create a refuge for your own heart and others.
With loving blessings,
Tara Brach and the teachers, board and staff of IMCW
The Insight Meditation Community of Washington
