Mindfulness Meditation Classes
SF Insight sponsors both introductory meditation courses and intermediate-level meditation classes each year. The current beginning meditation class, which began on January 12, is described below. The next beginning meditation class will start on May 17 and continue over the next four Thursday evenings with a daylong on Saturday, June 9. The next intermediate meditation class begins on February 27 and is described below. In addition, SF Insight periodically schedules other dharma-related classes, including a daylong on "Mindful Living: Transforming the Inner Critics," which is also described below.
Parking Information.
Upcoming Classes
Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation
A Five-Week Introductory Class with Paul Irving & Rebecca Katz
Jan. 12 - Feb. 9, 2012
This class will explore the basic teachings of the Buddha in both meditation practice and daily life. We will introduce and deepen the practice of Mindfulness, with the aim of integrating Mindfulness into all aspects of our lives. Each session will include guided meditation instruction, talks on fundamental Buddhist teachings, and time for questions and discussion. This class is appropriate for those new to meditation as well as those wishing to refine their existing practice. People of all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome.
- When: Five Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm: January 12, 19, 26 and February 2 and 9. The class also includes a daylong retreat on Saturday, February 4, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin (between Geary and O'Farrell), San Francisco
- For Information: Call Jonathan at 415-994-5951
- To Register: Pre-register online here or send check payable to UUSF for $50 to: First Unitarian Universalist Church, Attention: ARE, 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Please include a phone number or email address on the check so we can contact you if there are last-minute changes. Pre-registration is encouraged, but it is also possible to register at the door at the first class, space permitting.
- Teacher Dana: The teachers are supported solely by your donations for their time and teachings (they do not receive any portion of the $50 registration fee). Suggested donation is $25 to $100 for the five-week evening class series (or $5 to $20 per class) and $20 to $50 for the daylong. The amount can be offered to the teacher by cash or check at the first class, or at each individual class.
- What to Bring: Please bring your lunch to the daylong retreat.
About the Teachers
Paul Irving has practiced meditation and contemplation in Eastern and Western traditions since 1973. Currently, he is a student in Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader Program. He is the co-founder of a successful optometry clinic and a consultant in non-profit funding development.
Rebecca Katz has been practicing Buddhist meditation since 2003. She is currently training in the Community Dharma Leader Program at Spirit Rock. A family physician, Rebecca teaches meditation classes at her clinic in Sonoma County.
Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation Daylong (February 4) — 9:30 - 5:00
With Paul Irving & Rebecca Katz
This daylong is part of the five-week Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation class starting on January 12. The cost for this one-day retreat is included as part of the class. If you are not taking the whole class, you may still attend this one-day retreat. This class is appropriate for those new to meditation or those wishing to deepen their existing practice. People of all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome.
- When: Saturday, February 4, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin Street (between Geary and O’Farrell).
- For Information: Call Jonathan at 415-994-5951.
- To Register: Register online here
OR send $10 check (payable to SF Insight) to SF Insight, P.O. Box 475536, San Francisco, CA 94147. Please include a phone number or email address on your check so we can contact you if there are last-minute changes. Pre-registration is encouraged, but it is also possible to register at the door on February 4, space permitting. - Teacher Dana: The teachers are supported solely by your donations for their time and teachings (they do not receive any portion of the registration fee). Suggested donation is $20 to $50 for the daylong. This amount can be offered to the teacher by cash or check.
- What to Bring: Please bring your lunch.
Mindful Living: Transforming the Inner Critics Daylong
with Lee L. Lipp Ph.D. & Martina Schneider M.S. Saturday, February 18
Do you notice inner critics that judge you harshly? Do the inner critics keep you from finding contentment? Is it possible for inner critics to calm down? Many of us do our best to keep inner critics away or get rid of them and find that this simply doesn’t work. No matter what we do, they keep trying to get our attention. Maybe they have another message that we need to pay attention to. Perhaps they’re pointing to our innermost desires for safety, love and wholeness.
With the use of mindfulness meditation and creative exercises, workshop participants will learn to stop and listen as we practice identifying and finding new ways to relate to recurring thoughts and feeling patterns of critical self-judgment. Cultivation of deeply listening to self-critics and learning to engage with them creatively will start the transformational process of developing self-acceptance and self-compassion. This process leads to a kinder, more compassionate attitude toward ourselves. This class is appropriate for both new and experienced meditators.
- When: Saturday, February 18 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin (between Geary and O'Farrell)
- To Register: Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
- Register online below
Register by check made payable to SF Insight for $10 to: SF Insight, P.O. Box 475536, San Francisco, CA 94147. Please include a phone number or email address on your check so we can contact you if there are last-minute changes. - For Information: Call Jonathan at 415-994-5951
- What to Bring: Please bring your own lunch.
About the Teachers
Lee L. Lipp, Ph.D. has been a member of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, practicing Zen and Vipassana since 1991. Having taught in psychology graduate programs for over 16 years, her most recent work has included being Diversity and Prison Outreach Coordinator at SF Zen Center. She has taught classes at Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, SFZC, East Bay Meditation Center, Zen Hospice Project, Tassajara, Arcata Zen Center, La Casa de las Madres, Gay Men’s Buddhist Sangha, SF Mental Health Assoc. and SF Dept. of Mental Health. Lee supervises at Haight Ashbury Psych Services, leads “Transforming Depression” and “Transforming Anxiety” workshops and practice groups and has a psychotherapy practice in San Francisco.
Martina Schneider, M.S. has been a student of the Dharma since 1996. She has studied and practiced Vipassana meditation in the US, India and Burma, where she was ordained as a nun. Inspired by the teachings of the Buddha, she has combined her practice with social engagement and has worked extensively with homeless and underrepresented populations, counseled people who are incarcerated, and volunteered with the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. Martina is also interested in the combination of mindfulness practices and psychotherapy and uses this approach in her work as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in private practice in San Francisco. She completed four years of teacher training with Jack Kornfield.
Intermediate Mindfulness Meditation
A Five-Week Class with Marlena deCarion & Trip Weil
Starts Feb. 27
This class will offer a deepening exploration of the practice of Insight Meditation. We will explore the Buddha’s teachings on awareness of body, emotions, thoughts, and awareness itself. A strong emphasis will be placed on recognizing and dwelling in the natural awareness that lies at the heart of all experience. This class is intended for those who have an established meditation practice and are looking to deepen their practice in a group context. Each session will include guided meditation instruction, talks on the Buddha’s teachings, and time for questions and dialogue to explore the application of the teachings and practice in the participants’ daily life and experience. People of all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome.
- When: Five Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm: February 27, March 5, 12, 19 and 26. The class also includes a daylong retreat on Saturday, March 24, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin (between Geary and O'Farrell), San Francisco
- For More Information: Call Jonathan at 415-994-5951
- To Register: Pre-register online or send a check payable to UUSF for $50 to: First Unitarian Universalist Church, Attention: ARE, 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Please include a phone number or email address on your check so we can contact you if there are last-minute changes. Pre-registration is encouraged, but it is possible to register at the door at the first class, space permitting.
- Teacher Dana: The teachers are supported solely by your donations for their time and teachings (they do not receive any portion of the $50 registration fee). Suggested donation is $25 to $100 for the five-week evening class series (or $5 to $20 per class) and $20 to $50 for the daylong. The amount can be offered to the teacher by cash or check (payable to SF Insight) at the first class, or if necessary at each individual class.
- What to bring: Please bring your own lunch to the daylong retreat.
About the Teachers
Marlena deCarion, CPCC, PCC has been practicing meditation since 1995. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program and is currently being trained by Spirit Rock as a Community Dharma Leader. She has studied in the Theravada Buddhist lineage and is influenced by Tibetan and non-dual practices. Marlena has trained in Somatic Experiencing and is a student of the Diamond Approach.
Trip Weil has been practicing Buddhist meditation since 2004. He is a participant in the Community Dharma Leader Program at Spirit Rock and a past participant in Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program. Formerly an attorney, Trip is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco.
Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation Daylong (March 24)
With Marlena deCarion & Trip Weil
This daylong is part of the five-week Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation class starting on February 27. The cost for this one-day retreat is included as part of the class. If you are not taking the whole class, you may still attend this one-day retreat. This class is appropriate for those new to meditation or those wishing to deepen their existing practice. People of all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome.
- When: Saturday, March 24, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin Street (between Geary and O’Farrell)
- For Information: Call Jonathan at 415-994-5951
- To Register: Register online below
OR send $10 check (payable to SF Insight) to SF Insight, P.O. Box 475536, San Francisco, CA 94147. Please include a phone number or email address on your check so we can contact you if there are last-minute changes. Pre-registration is encouraged, but it is also possible to register at the door on March 24, space permitting. - Teacher Dana: The teachers are supported solely by your donations for their time and teachings (they do not receive any portion of the registration fee). Suggested donation is $20 to $50 for the daylong. This amount can be offered to the teacher by cash or check.
- What to Bring: Please bring your lunch.
About Our Classes
Buddhist teachings are considered priceless. In that spirit, these classes will be offered on a dana basis. Dana means generosity. In addition to paying the registration fee, all who attend are invited to contribute in appreciation of the teaching and in support of the teachers, who are otherwise not paid through SFI.
Since we want our classes to be accessible to all who wish to attend, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please call 415-994-5951 prior to the first class if the registration fee is an obstacle to your participation. Please consider the highest level that you can donate (including above the suggested amounts), to support those in the community who have fewer financial resources at this time.
We ask for your commitment to the full series of classes. Series classes build on one another and your commitment supports coherence of the teachings, and allows the participants to develop and mature as a group.
Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of the San Francisco Insight Meditation Community of San Francisco. He teaches at