About Us
The Madison Insight Meditation Group began in September of 1995 to serve people interested in meditation and Buddhism in Madison, Wisconsin, and the central Midwest. In 2001, we split into two connected collaborative organizations: Madison Vipassana, Inc., to host retreats, and Madison Insight Meditation Group, to provide regular local meditation sessions and a variety of practice opportunities.
Together on the Path to Peace
Madison Insight Meditation Group and Madison Vipassana provide opportunities in Madison, Wisconsin, and the central Midwest for the practice of samatha/vipassana meditation in the Theravada Buddhist tradition and access to the teachings of the Buddha. We offer three weekly sitting groups, occasional half-day meditation sessions and introductory and continuing meditation classes, and three meditation retreats a year. We also sponsor monthly Kalyana Mitta study groups for individuals wanting to study and discuss Dhamma. If you are interested in these or other activities of Madison Insight Meditation Group, please look through these webpages or contact us at madisonmeditation@gmail.com.
You do not have to identify as a Buddhist to learn and practice this style of meditation or to benefit from or participate in our activities and events. Our activities are attended by people with varying levels of training and experience in meditation. What we have in common is an interest in practicing the Buddhadhamma to bring greater ease and happiness to ourselves and others.
We practice meditation in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism as developed in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Insight meditation, or what the Buddha called the practice of samatha/vipassana, is a practice to develop calm through sustained awareness of a meditation object (frequently the breath) and to develop insight through mindful observation, investigation, and reflection. There are thousands of excellent resources on insight meditation on the web. You might want to begin with this Introduction to Insight Meditation and also review the many articles, audio links, and other resources on our links pages.
A Practice Home for All
It is our deepest wish to provide an open and welcoming environment where all can practice in safety and ease. Yet we recognize that this remains more an aspiration than a reality as long as divisions of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and physical ability stand in the way of the flourishing of all.
Here are some steps we’ve taken to date:
- We’ve made a commitment to invite at least one teacher of color to lead a retreat every year and to do all we can to secure venues that are accessible and can accommodate the schedules of our invited teachers.
- We’ve implemented a “pay what you can” approach to retreat fees.
- We’ve adopted a policy establishing priority in retreat registration for young people and people of color.
This is necessarily a work in progress. We invite your ideas and guidance as we continue striving to make our sangha a welcoming home for all.
CONTACT US AT:
Madison Vipassana, Inc.
madisonmeditation@gmail.com