Bellingham Insight Meditation Society (BIMS) supports meditation and practice in the Buddhist Theravada tradition. Our activities include but are not limited to

• Tuesday Night Group Meditation

Each Tuesday evening, we meditate silently together from 7-7:45 PM. After that there is a short reading, then introductions and announcements, followed by a short break until 8 p.m. when our program begins. Everyone is welcome to stay for the program, but the short break allows anyone who needs to leave after the meditation period time to do so.

• Tuesday Night Programs

There is usually a program following the Tuesday group meditation. The programs run from 8 – 9 PM and explore various aspects of Insight practice.

• Social Hour

The social hour is a chance to meet new people and greet old friends. It's a time to talk about the dharma, shared interests or anything else. We usually have social hour on the same evening that we have “orientation to meditation” so that those new to the group will have a chance to meet and talk with others interested in meditation.

• Book Club

Each year we choose a dharma book to read and discuss, chapter by chapter. The book club meets for an hour once a month. People are welcome to join at any time.

• Dharma Talk

We listen to 20-30 minutes of a dharma talk by a variety of teachers in the Insight tradition. We then discuss the talk, with an emphasis on applying what we’ve heard to our own practice.. The discussion is facilitated by Insight sangha members.

• Sutta Study

Once a month we read and study the Suttas (the teachings of the Buddha). We are using the book "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi. We read the suttas aloud, then discuss, so reading the text ahead of time is helpful but not required.

• Morning Meditation

There is a silent morning meditation period Monday –Friday from 6:30 – 7:15 AM at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall. Meditators from all traditions are welcome. The meditation period ends with 2 short chants in English; chant cards are provided.

• Thursday Lunchtime Meditation

This is a 45 minute meditation at lunchtime in the Red Cedar Dharma Hall, facilitated by the Insight group. Meditation starts at 12:10 PM and ends at 12:55 PM. Everyone is welcome.

• Weekend Meditation

Most months we facilitate a meditation weekend.

The Saturday Sit-In is a full day (12 hours) of mindfulness from 8:00 AM. to 8:00 PM. The schedule consists of morning, afternoon, and evening Practice Periods: alternating sitting meditation (45 minutes) and walking meditation (15 minutes). In the spirit of retreat, we ask that you arrive only at the start of a Practice Period and remain until its end.

• 8:00 AM - noon Morning Practice Period
• Noon - 1:00 PM Break
• 1:00 - 4:00 PM Afternoon Practice Period
• 4:00 - 5:00 PM Break
• 5:00 - 8:00 PM Evening Practice Period
Sunday Half Day Meditation

This Sunday Meditation follows the Saturday Sit-in each month. You may attend any or all of the meditation periods.

• 9:30-10:10 sitting meditation
• 10:10-10:30 walking meditation
• 10:30-11:10 sitting meditation
• 11:10-11:30 walking meditation
• 11:30-11:45 sitting meditation
• 11:45-noon discussion

We offer several ways to learn about Insight meditation practice and Theravadan (vipassana) Buddhism.

1. If you have had no prior meditation experience, we offer instruction for beginners at 6 pm on the FIRST Tuesday of the month at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall. Contact John Robinson 758-7260 or john@treefrogfarm.com to sign up or if you have any questions.
2. We offer daylong introductory classes called Beginning Again: Introduction to Insight Meditation several times a year. Check under “classes” section of this website for the next scheduled class.
3. Please feel free to contact John Robinson 758-7260 or john@treefrogfarm.com if you have any questions about meditation or your practice and there is not a class scheduled.

Bellingham Insight Meditation Society welcomes visitors. You can become a member of the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society by completing the Membership form found on the Supporting BIMS page.

BIMS maintains a list-serve. You can subscribe by emailing bellinghaminsight@yahoogroups.com or by e-mailing the list-serve moderator Karen Sheldon.

May all beings be happy