What we’re about
What we do: We are a community that offers instruction related to mindfulness meditation, including classes, day long workshops, extended courses (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) and occasional weekend retreats. Instructions are designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Most classes and workshops are free for all participants. Although a donation amount is suggested, donations are not required for participation. The MBSR courses are not free, but some scholarship is available. While the forms of meditation we practice are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the study and practice of mindfulness and insight meditation is applicable to anyone from any background or religion, and all are welcome.
We are affiliated with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) and the teaching of Tara Brach, Jonathan Foust and Hugh Byrne.
Each class will include: guided meditation, instruction, opportunities to practice, and time for discussion, questions and answers.
When and where: Currently, this Baltimore-based class is paused. Alternatively, there are other drop-in classes with IMCW, including Wednesdays, 7:00PM in Columbia with teacher, Stan Eisenstein. Visit www.IMCW.org for more details.
Other classes, workshops and courses are provided on an occasional basis. Typically we hold an Introduction to Insight Meditation series, an 8-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses, and occasional daylong and weekend workshops and retreats. To access our schedule, please follow this link:
https://www.meetup.com/Insight-Meditation-Community-of-Bal...
We practice Insight Meditation, a style of meditation that helps the mind attain deeper levels of calm concentration through sustained attention on the breath, then combines this with the crucial aspect of insight through contemplation of the mind and body and all of their changing and impermanent senses, emotions and thoughts. Insight Meditation trains us to live more fully in the present moment, enables us to experience life from a greater stillness, and aids us in relating to both ourselves and others with increased clarity, compassion, calmness and creativity, and less fear, anxiety and stress.
Along with these and a long list of other psychological benefits, meditation has also been shown to reduce stress hormones in the body, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, alleviate depression and boost the immune system.
What we offer: Our ongoing drop-in Tuesday evening classes generally consist of one or two half hour semi-guided meditations, mindful movement, a talk on Buddhist principles and their application to daily life, followed by discussion and/or practice.
We offer workshops (typically day long) to help deepen practice. Some of our workshop topics are: Deepening Insight, a Daylong Silent Workshop; Insight Out Loud (working with partners to deepen insight); A Day of Heart Practices; Deepening Presence; and a Relationship Workshop.
Our 8-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses help students initiate and develop an ongoing daily mindfulness meditation practice. These 8-week courses are designed to help students develop strategies to reduce stress and to relate to their day-to-day experiences in a more calm and creative manner.
We also sponsor Kalyani-Mitta (KM) groups. These are groups that meet outside the normal class hours to discuss Buddhist principles more in depth and to share about how these ideas apply to their personal lives. These groups also help foster deeper connection to other members of the community (sangha).
TEACHERS:
For more about Mira, visit:
https://events.imcw.org/teacher/?speakerId=134
http://www.wellspringhealingarts.org/main.htm
Contact: Mira@wellspringhealingarts.org
For more about Tawanna, visit:
https://events.imcw.org/teacher/?speakerId=155
http://www.innerresourcesproject.com/
Contact: bemindful@earthlink.net
For more about Silvia, visit:
https://events.imcw.org/teacher/?speakerId=104
Questions: Please feel free to contact Mira Tessman at wellspringhealingarts@gmail.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Insight Meditation Class ONLINE ONLY at this timeZoom Video Conference, Maryland, MD
NOTICE: For the foreseeable future we will be ONLINE ONLY.
Online: Subscribe at this link to get the weekly Zoom link in your email 30 minutes before the class begins.
WHAT: This is an open ongoing drop-in mindfulness meditation group for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
While the forms of meditation we practice are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the study and practice of mindfulness and insight meditation is applicable to anyone from any background or religion, and all are welcome.
Donation: These teachings are available to all. Although a $10 donation is suggested, donations are not required for attendance.
What to Expect: Each class will include mindful movement, guided meditation, instruction, opportunities to practice, and time for discussion, questions and answers.
When and where: We meet every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
In-person: Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, room 406. Please arrive early to settle into your seats - we start right at 7:00 p.m. [Note: Class will be online only on days that the school is closed.]
Online option: Join Zoom Meeting (click on link or copy URL and paste in browser)
https://zoom.us/j/569956674
What We Practice: We practice Insight Meditation, a style of meditation that helps the mind attain deeper levels of calm concentration through sustained attention on the breath, then combines this with the crucial aspect of insight through contemplation of the mind and body and all of their changing and impermanent senses, emotions and thoughts. Insight Meditation trains us to live more fully in the present moment, enables us to experience life from a greater stillness, and aids us in relating to both ourselves and others with increased clarity, compassion, calmness and creativity, and less fear, anxiety and stress.
Along with these and a long list of other psychological benefits, meditation has also been shown to reduce stress hormones in the body, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, alleviate depression and boost the immune system.
TEACHERS:
STAN EISENSTEIN, is a full teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). He teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based courses. He is a mentor the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program run by Sounds True. He also works with individuals in instruction on using meditation and mindfulness to bring a greater sense of peace and freedom in daily life. Stan is a former high school physics teacher (32 years) who has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2004. Stan earned a Masters of Social Work in 1998.
LINDA NAINI: Linda is a full teacher with IMCW. She developed a deep appreciation for Tara Brach’s teachings and the practice of mindfulness in 2009 during her father’s terminal illness and later working through her own depression after his death. Linda is a certified Health and Wellness Coach through the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She has received Reiki II certification, and is certified to teach mindfulness meditation to children and adolescents through the .b program. As an Iranian-American, Linda has studied Rumi and Hafiz in both Persian and English.
Contact: Please feel free to contact Stan Eisenstein at IMCWColumbia@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
- Roots and Refuge: Mindfulness Daylong RetreatHampden, Baltimore, MD
Dear ones,
Please join Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teachers Ari Pluznik and Phillip McKnight for a hybrid daylong silent mindfulness meditation retreat offered in the Insight Meditation tradition. Please register using the Partiful link below.
Spend the day cultivating presence as we take refuge in mindfulness, loving-kindness, and connection to nature. Gift yourself a day of practice to rest, recharge, and recenter to benefit you in the days to come.
This hybrid daylong retreat will be held at the Wiggle Room, a private creative space in Hampden, Baltimore, as well as online over Zoom. The address for our in-person venue will appear upon RSVP, as will the Zoom link. The retreat will be held in noble silence and will consist of sitting/laying meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement, and dharma talks by our teachers.
Participants are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch, cushions, blankets, and comfortable clothing. Chairs and flat floor cushions will be provided.
This retreat is freely offered by Ari and Phillip, with donations of dana humbly accepted following the retreat. The fee to RSVP goes directly to the rental costs of the venue: $40 for in-person and $25 for virtual. Sliding scale / financial assistance is available and no one will be turned away for lack of funds – simply reach out to Ari at adpluznik@gmail.com with interest.
In-person spots will be limited to 40 meditators, virtual spots are limitless. Please indicate "virtual" in the comments upon RSVP. Zoom meeting passcode is 'Metta'.
Please register using the Partiful app and send the RSVP fee via Venmo, Paypal, CashApp:
https://partiful.com/e/0kMTfNNbyxBbu6nLaNTr?
with loving-kindness, Ari and Phillip
- Insight Meditation Class ONLINE ONLY at this timeZoom Video Conference, Maryland, MD
NOTICE: For the foreseeable future we will be ONLINE ONLY.
Online: Subscribe at this link to get the weekly Zoom link in your email 30 minutes before the class begins.
WHAT: This is an open ongoing drop-in mindfulness meditation group for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
While the forms of meditation we practice are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the study and practice of mindfulness and insight meditation is applicable to anyone from any background or religion, and all are welcome.
Donation: These teachings are available to all. Although a $10 donation is suggested, donations are not required for attendance.
What to Expect: Each class will include mindful movement, guided meditation, instruction, opportunities to practice, and time for discussion, questions and answers.
When and where: We meet every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
In-person: Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, room 406. Please arrive early to settle into your seats - we start right at 7:00 p.m. [Note: Class will be online only on days that the school is closed.]
Online option: Join Zoom Meeting (click on link or copy URL and paste in browser)
https://zoom.us/j/569956674
What We Practice: We practice Insight Meditation, a style of meditation that helps the mind attain deeper levels of calm concentration through sustained attention on the breath, then combines this with the crucial aspect of insight through contemplation of the mind and body and all of their changing and impermanent senses, emotions and thoughts. Insight Meditation trains us to live more fully in the present moment, enables us to experience life from a greater stillness, and aids us in relating to both ourselves and others with increased clarity, compassion, calmness and creativity, and less fear, anxiety and stress.
Along with these and a long list of other psychological benefits, meditation has also been shown to reduce stress hormones in the body, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, alleviate depression and boost the immune system.
TEACHERS:
STAN EISENSTEIN, is a full teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). He teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based courses. He is a mentor the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program run by Sounds True. He also works with individuals in instruction on using meditation and mindfulness to bring a greater sense of peace and freedom in daily life. Stan is a former high school physics teacher (32 years) who has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2004. Stan earned a Masters of Social Work in 1998.
LINDA NAINI: Linda is a full teacher with IMCW. She developed a deep appreciation for Tara Brach’s teachings and the practice of mindfulness in 2009 during her father’s terminal illness and later working through her own depression after his death. Linda is a certified Health and Wellness Coach through the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She has received Reiki II certification, and is certified to teach mindfulness meditation to children and adolescents through the .b program. As an Iranian-American, Linda has studied Rumi and Hafiz in both Persian and English.
Contact: Please feel free to contact Stan Eisenstein at IMCWColumbia@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
