This Week's Events

Classes

Retreats

Welcome to Bellingham Insight

Bellingham Insight Meditation Society (BIMS) supports meditation and practice in the Buddhist Theravada tradition. We do not have a single guiding teacher. Rather, we are a sangha-led community. We bring in regional and national teachers, including monastics, for residential and non-residential retreats. Our weekly programs are facilitated by senior members in coordination with our Board and Program Committee.

Bellingham Insight Meditation Society welcomes visitors. To receive announcements and links to our Zoom meetings, join our list-serve by emailing bellinghaminsight+subscribe@googlegroups.com or by e-mailing the listserv moderator.

Insight meditation is a simple and direct practice, the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind/body process through calm and focused awareness. Learning to observe experience from a place of stillness enables one to relate to life with less fear and clinging. Seeing life as a constantly changing process, one begins to accept pleasure, pain, fear, joy and all aspects of life with increasing equanimity and balance. As insight deepens, wisdom and compassion arise. This practice is sometimes called "vipassana", which is a Pali word for insight.

We meet at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (BUF): 1207 Ellsworth Street (at the corner of Ellsworth and I Street a few blocks north of downtown). The main entrance faces Ellsworth Street.

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

News

Tuesday, October 15th - Practice Discussion, Meditation, Dharma talk - Anatta: of Chariots and Cars

Kate Davies, meditation teacher from Whidbey Island, will be joining us this Tuesday evening.

She will be in the library (off the meditation hall) from 6:15 - 6:50 PM. She welcomes anyone who would like to discuss their practice, who has questions about their practice or questions about meditation. Or who just wants to say hello. Drop in, if you can.

Meditation will continue in a hybrid format: in-person at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (1207 Ellsworth Street, at the corner of Ellsworth and I Street) and also via Zoom. Our greeters will be at the main entrance of BUF until 6:55pm to let you into the building.

7:00 Welcome

7:05 Reading and silent meditation

7:45 Introductions and Announcements

7:55 Dharma Talk with Kate, followed by comments, reflections and questions

8:30 Closing

Dharma talk:

Kate will offer a dhamma talk on anatta (the notion of not-self) entitled "Anatta - Of Chariots and Cars", based on the teachings using the analogy of a chariot, updated to the 21st century. This is the third in a series of four talks on anatta. The final talk will be in 2 weeks, on Tuesday, October 29th.

We hope to see you this Tuesday evening.

10/12/24

Tuesday October 8th - Soup with the Sangha and meditation

This Tuesday from 6-6:50 PM we will be hosting Soup with the Sangha, a simple vegetarian meal of soup and bread - a chance to gather as a community before our meditation. No need to bring anything, though of course you can. We will be eating in the space near the Bellingham Unitarian kitchen which is right off our meditation space.

Our meditation will continue in a hybrid format: in-person at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (1207 Ellsworth Street, at the corner of Ellsworth and I Street) and also via Zoom. Our greeters will be at the main entrance of BUF until 6:55pm to let you into the building.

We won"t have a formal program after meditation, but there will be plenty of time to connect with sangha members

6:00 Soup with the Sangha

6:45 Zoom room opens

7:00 Silent meditation

7:45 Dedication of Merit, Introductions & Announcements

We hope to see you this Tuesday evening.

10/5/24

Orientation to Meditation at 6, meditation, dharma discussion

At 6 PM we will offer an Orientation to Meditation in the library at BUF: basic meditation instructions and a guided meditation. There will also be time to ask questions and to learn the benefits of establishing a regular meditation practice. This will be in-person only (no Zoom for this part of the evening). Our greeters will be at the door from 5:45 - a bit after 6 to let you in. It will be taught by Tim Harlan-Marks.

Feel free to invite friends and family to this orientation. And feel free to come if you have some questions about meditation. Tim would be happy to talk with you.

Our meditation will continue in a hybrid format: in-person at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (1207 Ellsworth Street, at the corner of Ellsworth and I Street) and also via Zoom. Our greeters will be at the main entrance of BUF until 6:55pm to let you into the building.

After a 45 minute sit, announcements and introductions, Steve and Jean will facilitate a conversation with our sangha members who just finished a retreat at Camp Samish. All are welcome - whether you sat the retreat or are interested in what it was like. We hope to see you.

5:45 Hall opens

6:00 Orientation to Insight Meditation

6:45 Zoom room opens

7:00 Silent Meditation

7:45 Introductions, Announcements, Short Break

7:45 Debriefing the Camp Samish retreat

8:30 ending

Hope to see you on Tuesday

9/30/24

Introduction to Buddhist Meditation

We are excited to announce a new opportunity to learn and practice in community this fall!

This October BIMS will offer a four-part course on the foundations of dharma practice called Introduction to Buddhist Meditation. The class will be taught by local teacher, Tim Harlan-Marks and will take place at BUF on the following dates and times:

• Th, Oct 3, 6:30-8:30pm

• Th, Oct 10, 6:30-8:30pm

• Th, Oct 17, 6:30-8:30pm

• Th, Oct 24, 6:30-8:30pm

This program is appropriate for people of all experience levels who are looking for a back-to-basics course on building, strengthening and maintaining a daily meditation practice. Classes will be interactive and include a mixture of instruction, practice, discussion, and community building.

Click here to learn more and register

As with all BIMS programs, this course is offered freely with an invitation to offer donations to support Tim’s teaching as you feel inspired.

Got questions? Write to us at: classes@bellinghaminsight.org

8/22/24

Sept 24-29 - Retreat with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ajahn Kovilo

Join Ayya Anandabodhi & Ajahn Kovilo for a five-day residential retreat, hosted by Bellingham Insight Meditation Society (BIMS), on Samish Island, Tuesday Sept. 24th to Sunday Sept. 29th.

The Buddha's teachings highlight the body as a gateway to deeper wisdom and liberation, though many of us have become disconnected from our physicality. This retreat aims to bridge that gap by integrating mindful movement, breath awareness, and body-centered meditations. By grounding our practice in the body, we can cultivate a deep sense of presence, embodied awareness, and inner peace, enriching our spiritual journey and overall well-being on the path.

As of August 28th, the retreat is full and registration is closed. You can join the wait list, if you wish. Thank you for your interest. retreats@bellinghaminsight.org

8/11/24

Regular Activities

-Tuesday Night Group Meditation

-Tuesday Night Programs

-Book Club

-Soup with the Sangha

-Sangha Mamas