Community Events

Wednesday Night Sitting Group

CONTINUED ON-LINE ONLY, STARTING MARCH 18, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR ON-LINE SITTINGS, PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS AT 306-522-0616. HE WILL E-MAIL SIGNING-IN DETAILS TO YOU AND, IF YOU WISH, ADD YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY E-MAIL LIST WHICH WE WILL BE USING TO SEND OUT SIGN-IN INFORMATION FOR UPCOMING WEDNESDAY NIGHT SITTINGS THROUGH TO JULY 1.

Meets
Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.

At
2672 Robinson Street
(intersection of 19th Avenue and Robinson Street, most easily accessed by 19th Avenue at the north end of the Albert Street Bridge)

This sitting group, essentially the heart of RIMC, began in 1993. It is a primary support for those who practise Insight Meditation, but is open to anyone who wishes to attend. The evening begins with a 35-minute silent sitting (usually with meditation instructions) followed by a 10-minute break and then by a discussion around a theme related to integrating meditation practice into our everyday life. The group is facilitated by Chris or others who are well established in this practice and in dharma teachings and who have been authorized to lead by Sharda and Dana. One or two dana (donation) bowls are set out for people to offer support to, first, RIMC to help cover the community's various expenses, and, second, to Chris (if and when he leads) to help him develop the experience and knowledge he needs to enhance his Community Dharma Leader skills.

A lending library of books and dharma talks (CDs) is available for those who wish to borrow from it. A $10.00 life-membership library fee helps to cover the costs of expanding and maintaining the library collection.

If you need further information about the group, please contact Chris (306-522-0616).

Dharma Discussion Groups

Within three years of RIMC's formation in 1993, several dharma discussion groups began to meet to provide a way for their members to deepen their understanding of both the Buddhadharma and Insight Meditation practice. Participants find the opportunity to explore deeply and practise the dharma in a small, caring and committed group is immensely beneficial to their spiritual development.

Our dharma discussion groups typically comprise six to ten Vipassana meditation practitioners who usually have an established practice including retreat experience, and who commit to gathering on a regular basis, weekly, biweekly or monthly. We are open to creating more groups if sangha members express their interest (please contact Dana at 306-352-5691 or Chris at 306-522-0616).

Days of Mindfulness and Exploration

RIMC offers Days of Mindfulness and Exploration (DoMEs) in most months when no retreat is scheduled. DoMEs help those of us with previous Insight Meditation experience to deepen our dharma practice and understanding through sharing daylong practice with like-minded meditators. The 2015 DoMEs have ended, and the 2016 schedule, once it has been prepared, will be posted here. Please register by calling Chris (306-522-0616) on or before the preceding Wednesday.

Each DoME explores a specific dharma theme and generally comprises 30-minute periods that alternate between sitting and walking meditations and two 45-minute periods for theme talks and discussion. Except during post-talk discussion times, participants maintain Noble Silence from the start at 9:30 a.m. to the close at about 4:30 p.m. We bring our own lunch to eat during a 12:15 to 1:15 break.

DoMEs are offered on a dana basis.

Lunch-hour Sittings

CONTINUED ON-LINE ONLY, STARTING MARCH 16, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THESE ON-LINE SILENT SITTINGS, PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS AT 306-522-0616. HE WILL E-MAIL SIGNING-IN DETAILS TO YOU AND, IF YOU WISH, ADD YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY E-MAIL LIST WHICH WE WILL BE USING TO SEND OUT SIGN-IN INFORMATION FOR UPCOMING LUNCH-HOUR SITTINGS THROUGH TO JULY 2.

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 45-minute sittings take place at 2672 Robinson Street, starting at 12:15 p.m. and finishing at 1:00 p.m. Participants who need to leave early (to get back to work, for example) may quietly leave the sitting any time after 12:45 p.m.

All the lunch-hour sittings are offered as a support for regular formal meditation practice. They do not include guiding instructions, so are primarily for those who have previous meditation experience.

Dharma Movie Nights

In May 2015, we began offering "Dharma Movie Nights" on occasional Fridays. These take place at Insight House (2672 Robinson Street), starting at 7 p.m. with a 20-minute sitting followed by a 10-minute break after which a dharma-related DVD is shown on a large TV followed by a dharma discussion.