Beginners are always welcome to attend Insight Meditation South Bay.

We offer several programs designed to introduce beginning meditators to the fundamentals of mindfulness and to support beginners as they establish their own meditation discipline.

When newcomers are present we are happy to offer guided meditations - otherwise we meditate in silence. If you would appreciate the guidance, please introduce yourself to the teacher before the meditation session begins. We will be happy to include instructions.

Basic, written meditation instruction is included in the article Vipassana Practice

Orientation & Mentorship

For those new to IMSB, to meditation or to insight meditation, a beginner's session is offered the first Tuesday each month before the regular weekly sitting. The Evening Session introduces mindfulness meditation instructions, gives an orientation to Insight Meditation South Bay, enhances introductory mindfulness meditation instructions and introduces a short dhamma teaching. The IMSB Calendar will give specific scheduling and location. Those new to insight meditation are encouraged to attend. Come for the orientation and stay for the IMSB program. You may bring a sitting cushion, but chairs are provided and you need only bring yourself.

The following mentors have many years of meditation experience. They can orient you to IMSB and support your practice of Insight Meditation. Feel free to contact a mentor if you have questions about IMSB or your meditation practice.

Sharon Allen	sharonimsb.org	408-730-2293
Margaret Gainer	margaretimsb.org
Drew Oman	drewimsb.org
Kim Allen	kimimsb.org
Jennifer Dungan	jenniferimsb.org
Greg Macdonald	gregimsb.org
Janet Taylor	janetimsb.org
James Kempf	jamesimsb.org	408-506-4334

IMSB periodically offers the following courses specifically for beginners:

Introduction to Mindfulness (Level 1)

At least once a year we offer a 6-week course that introduces the fundamental techniques of mindfulness based on the traditional Buddhist method known as mindfulness with breathing (anapannasati in the Pali language).

Mindfulness refers to the capacity to be aware and present to our present moment experience. Training in mindfulness produces a clear, alert, and deep presence. This level one course introduces meditation techniques that develop the ability to focus and bring balanced attention to all aspects of experience. The course includes home exercises that support the establishment of a daily meditation routine, refine the traditional technique of mindfulness with breathing, and reinforce balanced awareness in work and home life.

Strenghthening Mindfulness (Level 2)

Mindfulness is the ability to bring clear awareness to our present moment experience. Although there is no prerequisite for this level 2 course, it builds on the introductory instructions covered in Level 1. In level 2 we deepen the ease of breathing, refine our intention, enhance awareness of subtle feelings and difficult emotions, apply mindfulness at home and in the workplace, and experience how meditation leads to inner peace and freedom from suffering.

Non-residential Intensive for Beginners

We offer periodic nonresidential retreat programs to offer beginners the experience of a simple retreat format with practical instruction in Insight Meditation (Vipassana). The meditation instructions guide participants through a direct method for investigating present moment experience to free the mind from habits that perpetuate distraction and agitation. We practice sitting and walking meditation in alternating periods throughout the day, building a momentum of awareness of breath, body and the processes of heart and mind. This continuity of practice allows craving, judgment, and fear to fall away, revealing the natural spaciousness of a mind imbued with wisdom, calm, and joy. The retreat format combines basic meditation instructions, with individual consultations with the teacher, as a means to deeply explore a liberating awareness.

Biographical sketches of our mentors/instructors

Sharon Allen is a long time practitioner and teacher of mindfulness meditation and movement. Sharon has a degree in Human Development, is Certified in Transpersonal Studies from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, which she taught at Kaiser for fourteen years. Sharon leads several meditation groups that explore spiritual growth through meditation and inquiry. Sharon encourages the practical applications of mindfulness in dealing with life's ever-changing events. Sharon's web site is Be Mindful Now
sharonimsb.org

Margaret Gainer began Buddhist meditation practice in 1995 after taking a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course. She practices weekly with San Jose Insight Meditation and teaches meditation at several local meditation groups. Margaret completed Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Training, and since 2005 she has been teaching a weekly meditation class for women inmates at Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. Margaret is a member of First Congregational Church of San Jose and brings Buddhist teachings and understanding into the life of the church.
margaretimsb.org

Drew Oman's involvement with Buddhism began in the early 70s when he took a course in Buddhist Scriptures from Walpola Rahula (What the Buddha Taught) at Northwestern University, where Drew obtained a BA in psychology. His spiritual journey led him through years of rich study and practice with the Quakers, Self-Realization Fellowship, and while following Eknath Easwaran here in the Bay Area, an immersion in the Christian mystics. Drew returned to Buddhism, specifically to Vipassana practice, in the early 90s, and has established a consistent meditation practice, is an active member of IMSB, studies Buddhist scripture, and engages in retreat practice. Drew teaches English as a Second Language at De Anza College in Cupertino.
drewimsb.org

Kim Allen has practiced meditation since 2003. Inspired by a deep interest in nature, she has studied science, sustainability, tai chi, and qi gong. She works as a sustainable business consultant, helping companies adopt environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.
kimimsb.org

Jennifer Dungan began her meditation practice in 2003 with a mindfulness based stress reduction course (MBSR). The discipline of meditation opened a new world of personal discovery and her desire to continue learning propelled her to IMSB in January 2006. Jennifer especially appreciates the scientific method promoted by the Buddha. She lives with her spouse in Mountain View and works at NASA Ames Research Center.
jenniferimsb.org

Greg Macdonald began meditating in 2004 seeking peace of mind and a spiritual support for sobriety. He has trained in various meditation techniques, including Zen, chant-based meditations, and Primordial Sound Meditation. He is an active spiritual seeker and integrates his meditation practice with study of the Dhamma and Discourses of the Buddha. Greg has been an active member of IMSB since it was founded in 2006. In recent years, Greg's practice has focused on strengthening concentration; he has attended jhana retreats, and maintains a continuous investigation of insight (vipassana) practices. Greg lives in Mountain View and works as a software engineer.
gregimsb.org

Janet Taylor began practicing vipassana meditation in early 2006 after attending a three-day silent retreat at the invitation of a friend. Janet's practice is inspired by the possibility of complete liberation and by seeing the truth of the Buddha's teachings of impermanence, the suffering caused by attachment, and emptiness in her daily practice. Janet has attended 10 residential retreats, including two seven-day jhana retreats. She co-organized the 2008 summer speaker series at IMSB and offered a dharma talk on skillful intention. Janet received her BFA degree in sculpture, and enjoys nature and sea kayaking. She currently works as a technical writer and curriculum developer.
janetimsb.org

James Kempf began his study and practice of Buddhism with a meditation course in 1972 at Wesleyan University. He ordained as a Zen priest (tokudo) with Yvonne Rand, a Zen teacher in the Suzuki Roshi lineage and cofounder of Zen Center in San Francisco. James' study combined Zen forms with basic mindfulness meditation and included a six week retreat at Insight Meditation Society in Barre in the fall of 1996. In 2002, James relinquished his tokudo vows, continuing his practice primarily with vipassana meditation. In recent years he sat three month-long retreats at Spirit Rock, dedicated a half year to daily metta practice, and has begun the study of concentration practice with Shaila Catherine.
jamesimsb.org