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- Intro to Self-Inquiry 8-Week Course ONLINEZoom Video Conference, Maryland, MD
NOTE: To participate, you must register at the links below. RSVP at this meetup is not sufficient.
REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 8th with a free introduction class on June 24th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund).ABOUT THE COURSE:
The process of Inquiry allows us to discover and release from subconscious programming that keeps us stuck and suffering. We all carry conditioning, automatic reactions to buried beliefs and hurts. This conditioning, if left unexplored, limits our capacity to live fully and freely. Inquiry practices use meditative techniques to help us to uncover this subconscious programming and begin the process of healing and release.The practice of Inquiry is an art, and yet there are skills and orientations that can be learned to help make the process more effective and efficient. This course is designed to offer a variety of tools to help in the development of an inquiry practice. The course will be a mix of guided meditations (recorded and available for practice), experiential exercises, short talks, and inquiry practice, both individually and in pairs.
TOPICS:
▪ Why Inquiry is Valuable
▪ Using Meditation as an Experiment
▪ Cultivating Self-Kindness and Working with the Inner Critic
▪ Inquiry and Trauma – Caveats and Skillful Means
▪ How the Body Aids in Inquiry
▪ How we Identify and Work with Emotion
▪ Recognizing Patterns of Thought
▪ The Importance of Allowing, and Inviting Discomfort to Tea
▪ Resourcing, and How to Deal With Moments of Overwhelm
▪ Investigation – How to Gradually Deepen Awareness
▪ Investigating Deeply-Held Beliefs
▪ Working with Old Hurts and Wounds
▪ Forgiveness
▪ Healing through Reparenting
▪ Working with Imagery
▪ Interpersonal InquiryDATES (all times Eastern Time):
Introduction: Monday, June 24, 6:30 - 8 PM
8-Week Course: Eight Mondays, July 8 - August 26, 6:30 - 9 PM
Daylong Retreat: Saturday, August 17, 10 AM - 4:30 PMTEACHER: Stan Eisenstein
Stan is the founder and teacher of the Columbia Insight Meditation Group (a weekly drop-in meditation and mindfulness community). Stan is a teacher for the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) with senior teacher Tara Brach.Stan is a mentor for the Power of Awareness meditation course and for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, both published by Sounds True with teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Stan teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Inviting Chronic Pain and Illness to Tea, and Deepening Practice courses. Stan also holds daylong workshops on Relationships, Heart Practices, Forgiveness, and Working with Strong Emotions. Stan has a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT STAN'S INQUIRY COURSE:
Follow this link to see comments by participants in recent courses.LOCATION:
The Course will be held Online. Zoom links will be sent to registrants about a week before the course begins.COST & PAYMENT:
Total cost of the 8-week Course: $550
Scholarship is available. For more information, contact Stan.REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 8th with a free introduction class on June 24th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund).QUESTIONS: Contact Stan
- Intro to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8-Week Course - ONLINEZoom Video Conference, Maryland, MD
NOTE: To participate, you must register at the links below. RSVP at this meetup is not sufficient.
REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 9th with a free introduction class on June 25th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund)ABOUT THE COURSE:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an eight-week program, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, that assists people who want to learn to use their own internal resources to respond more skillfully to stress, medical and psychological conditions, and promote healthy living. MBSR has been highly researched since its onset in 1979, and research strongly supports its effectiveness in improving difficulties in multiple areas of health and wellness.Some reasons people come to the group include: job, school or family stress; chronic pain; hypertension; attention deficits; enhancement of quality of life/happiness; mild or situational depression; gastrointestinal disorders; wellness and self-care; cancer; anxiety and panic; anger-management; life transitions; developing and deepening a meditation practice.
Intentional, present-moment awareness, developed through mindfulness meditation practices, helps us experience whatever is happening in our life as it unfolds with curiosity, non-judging attention, and compassion for ourselves and others. Engaging with our life in this manner helps us to become more skillful and creative in our responses while gaining insight into how to free ourselves from habitual patterns of reacting.
This program can be a complement to current medical care, as well as promotion of health and well-being.
DATES (all times Eastern Time):
Free Introductory Class: Tuesday, June 25th, 6:30 - 8 PM
8-Week Course: Eight Tuesdays, July 9th-August 27th, 6:30 - 9 PM
Daylong Retreat: Sunday, August 18th, 10 AM - 4:30 PMTEACHER: Stan Eisenstein
Stan is the founder and teacher of the Columbia Insight Meditation Group (a weekly drop-in meditation and mindfulness community). Stan is a teacher for the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) with senior teacher Tara Brach.
Stan is a mentor for the Power of Awareness meditation course and for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, both published by Sounds True with teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Stan teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness for Teens, Meeting Chronic Pain and Illness, and Deepening MBSR courses. Stan also holds daylong workshops on Relationships, Heart Practices, Forgiveness, and Working with Strong Emotions. Stan has a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CLASS:
Follow this link to see comments by participants in recent classes.LOCATION:
The Course will be held Online. Zoom links will be sent to registrants about a week before the course beginsCOST & PAYMENT:
Introductory Class: Free (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the intro on January 8 you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund)Total cost of the 8-Week Course: $550
Includes 18 guided meditations in mp3 format and an online workbook.Some SCHOLARSHIP is available. For more information, contact Stan
REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 9th with a free introduction class on June 25th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund)QUESTIONS:
Contact Stan - Self-Inquiry 8-Week Course ONLINEZoom Video Conference, Maryland, MD
NOTE: To participate, you must register at the links below. RSVP at this meetup is not sufficient.
REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 8th with a free introduction class on June 24th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund).ABOUT THE COURSE:
The process of Inquiry allows us to discover and release from subconscious programming that keeps us stuck and suffering. We all carry conditioning, automatic reactions to buried beliefs and hurts. This conditioning, if left unexplored, limits our capacity to live fully and freely. Inquiry practices use meditative techniques to help us to uncover this subconscious programming and begin the process of healing and release.The practice of Inquiry is an art, and yet there are skills and orientations that can be learned to help make the process more effective and efficient. This course is designed to offer a variety of tools to help in the development of an inquiry practice. The course will be a mix of guided meditations (recorded and available for practice), experiential exercises, short talks, and inquiry practice, both individually and in pairs.
TOPICS:
▪ Why Inquiry is Valuable
▪ Using Meditation as an Experiment
▪ Cultivating Self-Kindness and Working with the Inner Critic
▪ Inquiry and Trauma – Caveats and Skillful Means
▪ How the Body Aids in Inquiry
▪ How we Identify and Work with Emotion
▪ Recognizing Patterns of Thought
▪ The Importance of Allowing, and Inviting Discomfort to Tea
▪ Resourcing, and How to Deal With Moments of Overwhelm
▪ Investigation – How to Gradually Deepen Awareness
▪ Investigating Deeply-Held Beliefs
▪ Working with Old Hurts and Wounds
▪ Forgiveness
▪ Healing through Reparenting
▪ Working with Imagery
▪ Interpersonal InquiryDATES (all times Eastern Time):
Introduction: Monday, June 24, 6:30 - 8 PM
8-Week Course: Eight Mondays, July 8 - August 26, 6:30 - 9 PM
Daylong Retreat: Saturday, August 17, 10 AM - 4:30 PMTEACHER: Stan Eisenstein
Stan is the founder and teacher of the Columbia Insight Meditation Group (a weekly drop-in meditation and mindfulness community). Stan is a teacher for the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) with senior teacher Tara Brach.Stan is a mentor for the Power of Awareness meditation course and for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, both published by Sounds True with teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Stan teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Inviting Chronic Pain and Illness to Tea, and Deepening Practice courses. Stan also holds daylong workshops on Relationships, Heart Practices, Forgiveness, and Working with Strong Emotions. Stan has a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT STAN'S INQUIRY COURSE:
Follow this link to see comments by participants in recent courses.LOCATION:
The Course will be held Online. Zoom links will be sent to registrants about a week before the course begins.COST & PAYMENT:
Total cost of the 8-week Course: $550
Scholarship is available. For more information, contact Stan.REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 8th with a free introduction class on June 24th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund).QUESTIONS: Contact Stan
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8-Week Course - ONLINEZoom Video Conference, Maryland, MD
NOTE: To participate, you must register at the links below. RSVP at this meetup is not sufficient.
REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 9th with a free introduction class on June 25th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund)ABOUT THE COURSE:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an eight-week program, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, that assists people who want to learn to use their own internal resources to respond more skillfully to stress, medical and psychological conditions, and promote healthy living. MBSR has been highly researched since its onset in 1979, and research strongly supports its effectiveness in improving difficulties in multiple areas of health and wellness.Some reasons people come to the group include: job, school or family stress; chronic pain; hypertension; attention deficits; enhancement of quality of life/happiness; mild or situational depression; gastrointestinal disorders; wellness and self-care; cancer; anxiety and panic; anger-management; life transitions; developing and deepening a meditation practice.
Intentional, present-moment awareness, developed through mindfulness meditation practices, helps us experience whatever is happening in our life as it unfolds with curiosity, non-judging attention, and compassion for ourselves and others. Engaging with our life in this manner helps us to become more skillful and creative in our responses while gaining insight into how to free ourselves from habitual patterns of reacting.
This program can be a complement to current medical care, as well as promotion of health and well-being.
DATES (all times Eastern Time):
Free Introductory Class: Tuesday, June 25th, 6:30 - 8 PM
8-Week Course: Eight Tuesdays, July 9th-August 27th, 6:30 - 9 PM
Daylong Retreat: Sunday, August 18th, 10 AM - 4:30 PMTEACHER: Stan Eisenstein
Stan is the founder and teacher of the Columbia Insight Meditation Group (a weekly drop-in meditation and mindfulness community). Stan is a teacher for the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) with senior teacher Tara Brach.
Stan is a mentor for the Power of Awareness meditation course and for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, both published by Sounds True with teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Stan teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness for Teens, Meeting Chronic Pain and Illness, and Deepening MBSR courses. Stan also holds daylong workshops on Relationships, Heart Practices, Forgiveness, and Working with Strong Emotions. Stan has a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CLASS:
Follow this link to see comments by participants in recent classes.LOCATION:
The Course will be held Online. Zoom links will be sent to registrants about a week before the course beginsCOST & PAYMENT:
Introductory Class: Free (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the intro on January 8 you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund)Total cost of the 8-Week Course: $550
Includes 18 guided meditations in mp3 format and an online workbook.Some SCHOLARSHIP is available. For more information, contact Stan
REGISTRATION:
8-week course beginning July 9th with a free introduction class on June 25th (register for the 8-week course and, if after attending the free intro you decide not to continue, you will receive a full refund)QUESTIONS:
Contact Stan