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TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN USER AND BC Insight Meditation Society The BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site is comprised of various Web pages operated by BC Insight Meditation Society. ​ The BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site is offered to you conditioned on your acceptance without modification of the terms, conditions, and notices contained herein. Your use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site constitutes your agreement to all such terms, conditions, and notices. MODIFICATION OF THESE TERMS OF USE ​ BC Insight Meditation Society reserves the right to change the terms, conditions, and notices under which the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site is offered, including but not limited to the charges associated with the use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site. ​ LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES ​ The BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site may contain links to other Web Sites ("Linked Sites"). 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GENERAL To the maximum extent permitted by law, this agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A. and you hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in San Mateo County, California, U.S.A. in all disputes arising out of or relating to the use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site. Use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site is unauthorized in any jurisdiction that does not give effect to all provisions of these terms and conditions, including without limitation this paragraph. You agree that no joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between you and BC Insight Meditation Society as a result of this agreement or use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site. BC Insight Meditation Society's performance of this agreement is subject to existing laws and legal process, and nothing contained in this agreement is in derogation of BC Insight Meditation Society's right to comply with governmental, court and law enforcement requests or requirements relating to your use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site or information provided to or gathered by BC Insight Meditation Society with respect to such use. If any part of this agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the agreement shall continue in effect. Unless otherwise specified herein, this agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the user and BC Insight Meditation Society with respect to the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between the user and BC Insight Meditation Society with respect to the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site. A printed version of this agreement and of any notice given in electronic form shall be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to this agreement to the same extent an d subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form. It is the express wish to the parties that this agreement and all related documents be drawn up in English. ​ COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICES: ​ All contents of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web Site are: Copyright 2018 by BCIMS and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved. ​ TRADEMARKS ​ The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. ​ The example companies, organizations, products, people and events depicted herein are fictitious. No association with any real company, organization, product, person, or event is intended or should be inferred. ​ Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. ​ NOTICES AND PROCEDURE FOR MAKING CLAIMS OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ​ Pursuant to Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c)(2), notifications of claimed copyright infringement under United States copyright law should be sent to Service Provider's Designated Agent. ALL INQUIRIES NOT RELEVANT TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE WILL RECEIVE NO RESPONSE. See Notice and Procedure for Making Claims of Copyright Infringement.

COVID Safety In-Person COVID-19 Safety Measures for BCIMS Events BCIMS is happy to welcome folks to in-person gatherings. While we are excited to be connecting in person, the safety of the sangha and our communities remains our priority. ​ Before you arrive We recommend everyone take the BC COVID-19 Self Check prior to your arrival. (https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en ) ​ If you have travelled outside of your home area in the last 14 days, please take a COVID test before the start of the retreat. We ask that you stay home if you have: Any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, shortness of breath, new muscle aches or headache, sore throat, new or worsening cough Close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 ​ When you arrive ​ COVID-19 Protocols ​ Each of our in-person gatherings will be planned in accordance with the BC Provincial Health Authority's guidelines for group gatherings. The protocols for each event will therefore evolve as needed to align with the needs of current conditions. Please visit specific Event Pages for details pertaining to each gathering. Beginning in September, masks will be encouraged but optional for BCIMS in-person gatherings, unless otherwise stated on the Event Page. To check on COVID safety measures of a specific offering, please visit the Program Page, and click "More Info" for the offering you are interested in. Maintain social distancing indoors as much as possible. Arrive early to help ease the check-in line ​ If you have any questions, please contact jess@bcims.org

THE BRITISH COLUMBIA INSIGHT MEDITATION SOCIETY We invite you to join us in exploring the Buddha's teaching on Insight, Generosity and Kindness. View all programs UPCOMING EVENTS Anushka Fernandopulle UBC Asian Centre, Vancouver BC May 3 - May 5 2024 More info Adrianne Ross and Tempel Smith Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC Jul 6 - Jul 14 2024 More info James Lowe Sea to Sky Retreat Centre, Whistler BC Aug 30 - Sep 2 2024 More info More events About ABOUT BCIMS The British Columbia Insight Meditation Society (BCIMS) is a non-profit organization based in what is now known as Vancouver, BC. We connect and support Buddhist meditation communities in BC that practice in the Theravada tradition. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we acknowledge the beautiful, traditional, and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, who live on and have stewarded this land for thousands of years. ​

Programs Type Select program type Length Select program length Filter by Dates Select Dates Short Retreat ​ Day of Mindfulness Meditation Mountain Rain Zen Community, 2016 Wall Street ​ ​ The Spring dates are Saturday May 18th and Saturday June 15th, 2024. The Day includes sitting and walking meditation with a dharma talk in the afternoon. More info Karen Lawrie ​ ​ ​ Short Retreat Fri May 3 - Sun May 5 2024 Anushka Fernandopulle UBC Asian Centre, Vancouver BC Registration opens: Feb 3 2024 ​ ​ More info Anushka Fernandopulle ​ ​ ​ Community Event Sat May 25 2024 BCIMS Vesak Community Gathering and Bookswap St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Vancouver ​ ​ Vesak is the traditional Buddhist celebration of the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha. Let's gather in person to mark the occasion! We'll share the story of the Buddha's life, sit, chant, enjoy light refreshments and have time to meet and connect with meditation friends face to face. More info ​ ​ ​ ​ Long Retreat Sat July 6 - Sun July 14, 2024 Adrianne Ross and Tempel Smith Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC Registration opens: Mar 6 2024 Financial assistance deadline: Feb 21 2024 ​ More info Adrianne Ross Tempel Smith ​ ​ Long Retreat Fri Aug 30 - Mon Sep 2 2024 James Lowe Sea to Sky Retreat Centre, Whistler, BC Registration opens: Apr 30, 2024 Financial assistance deadline: Apr 16, 2024 ​ More info James Lowe ​ ​ ​ Long Retreat Sun Sep 22 - Sun Oct 6 2024 Adrianne Ross, Carol Wilson, and Greg Scharf Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC Registration opens: May 22 2024 Financial assistance deadline: May 8 2024 ​ More info Adrianne Ross Carol Wilson Greg Scharf ​ Short Retreat Fri Oct 11 - Sat Oct 12 2024 Bonnie Duran UBC Asian Centre, Vancouver BC Registration opens: Jul 6 2024 ​ ​ Bonnie Duran ​ ​ ​ Short Retreat Fri Nov 22 - Sun Nov 24 2024 Howie Cohn UBC Asian Centre, Vancouver BC Registration opens: Aug 2 2024 ​ ​ Howie Cohn ​ ​ ​ Long Retreat Sun Dec 29 2024 - Fri Jan 3 2025 Adrianne Ross and Rachel Lewis Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo BC Registration opens: Aug 29, 2024 Financial assistance deadline: Aug 15, 2024 ​ Adrianne Ross Rachel Lewis ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ Salt Spring Insight Meditation Community Online and In-Person, 7:00-8:30pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Wednesdays We presently meet every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. both in person and on Zoom. The group is lead by Christine Mauro and David Rumsey. For further information, email: saltspringimc@gmail.com Email ​ ​ ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ Tuesday Evening w/ Karen Lawrie In-Person, 7:30-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays Email Karen Lawrie for details Email Karen Lawrie ​ ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ Judy Witheford's Sitting Group Online, 7:00-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Thursdays Please email for further details and Zoom link. Email Judy Witheford ​ ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ DIY Dharma Online, 7:30-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Wednesdays Open to all practitioners of Buddhist meditation. No experience necessary. Zoom ​ ​ ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ North Shore Online, 7:30-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Mondays Email ​ ​ ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ Vancouver Queer Sangha In-Person at Mountain Rain Zendo, Vancouver ​ ​ ​ More info ​ ​ ​ ​ Sitting Group ​ Victoria Insight Meditation Society In-Person, 7:00-8:30pm Location: Helga Beer Yoga Studio 202-1600 Bay Street, Victoria ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays VIMS Sunday night sits are an opportunity to practice meditation and listen to dharma talks with our community sangha. The sits are led by dharma teachers and dedicated peer leaders. Everyone is welcome. More info ​ ​ ​ ​ BACK TO TOP FILTER PROGRAMS

PRIVACY STATEMENT BC Insight Meditation Society is committed to protecting your privacy and developing technology that gives you the most powerful and safe online experience. This Statement of Privacy applies to the BC Insight Meditation Society Web site and governs data collection and usage. By using the BC Insight Meditation Society website, you consent to the data practices described in this statement. ​ Collection of your Personal Information ​ BC Insight Meditation Society collects personally identifiable information, such as your e-mail address, name, home or work address or telephone number. BC Insight Meditation Society also collects anonymous demographic information, which is not unique to you, such as your ZIP code, age, gender, preferences, interests and favorites. ​ There is also information about your computer hardware and software that is automatically collected by BC Insight Meditation Society. This information can include: your IP address, browser type, domain names, access times and referring Web site addresses. This information is used by BC Insight Meditation Society for the operation of the service, to maintain quality of the service, and to provide general statistics regarding use of the BC Insight Meditation Society Web site. ​ Please keep in mind that if you directly disclose personally identifiable information or personally sensitive data through BC Insight Meditation Society public message boards, this information may be collected and used by others. Note: BC Insight Meditation Society does not read any of your private online communications. ​ BC Insight Meditation Society encourages you to review the privacy statements of Web sites you choose to link to from BC Insight Meditation Society so that you can understand how those Web sites collect, use and share your information. BC Insight Meditation Society is not responsible for the privacy statements or other content on Web sites outside of the BC Insight Meditation Society and BC Insight Meditation Society family of Web sites. ​ Use of your Personal Information ​ BC Insight Meditation Society collects and uses your personal information to operate the BC Insight Meditation Society Web site and deliver the services you have requested. BC Insight Meditation Society also uses your personally identifiable information to inform you of other products or services available from BC Insight Meditation Society and its affiliates. BC Insight Meditation Society may also contact you via surveys to conduct research about your opinion of current services or of potential new services that may be offered. ​ BC Insight Meditation Society does not sell, rent or lease its customer lists to third parties. BC Insight Meditation Society may, from time to time, contact you on behalf of external business partners about a particular offering that may be of interest to you. In those cases, your unique personally identifiable information (e-mail, name, address, telephone number) is not transferred to the third party. In addition, BC Insight Meditation Society may share data with trusted partners to help us perform statistical analysis, send you email or postal mail, provide customer support, or arrange for deliveries. All such third parties are prohibited from using your personal information except to provide these services to BC Insight Meditation Society, and they are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information. ​ BC Insight Meditation Society does not use or disclose sensitive personal information, such as race, religion, or political affiliations, without your explicit consent. ​ BC Insight Meditation Society keeps track of the Web sites and pages our customers visit within BC Insight Meditation Society, in order to determine what BC Insight Meditation Society services are the most popular. This data is used to deliver customized content and advertising within BC Insight Meditation Society to customers whose behavior indicates that they are interested in a particular subject area. ​ BC Insight Meditation Society Web sites will disclose your personal information, without notice, only if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on BC Insight Meditation Society or the site; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of BC Insight Meditation Society; and, (c) act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of BC Insight Meditation Society, or the public. ​ Use of Cookies ​ The BC Insight Meditation Society Web site use "cookies" to help you personalize your online experience. A cookie is a text file that is placed on your hard disk by a Web page server. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. Cookies are uniquely assigned to you, and can only be read by a web server in the domain that issued the cookie to you. ​ One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide a convenience feature to save you time. The purpose of a cookie is to tell the Web server that you have returned to a specific page. For example, if you personalize BC Insight Meditation Society pages, or register with BC Insight Meditation Society site or services, a cookie helps BC Insight Meditation Society to recall your specific information on subsequent visits. This simplifies the process of recording your personal information, such as billing addresses, shipping addresses, and so on. When you return to the same BC Insight Meditation Society Web site, the information you previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the BC Insight Meditation Society features that you customized. ​ You have the ability to accept or decline cookies. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. If you choose to decline cookies, you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features of the BC Insight Meditation Society services or Web sites you visit. ​ Security of your Personal Information ​ BC Insight Meditation Society secures your personal information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. BC Insight Meditation Society secures the personally identifiable information you provide on computer servers in a controlled, secure environment, protected from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. When personal information (such as a credit card number) is transmitted to other Web sites, it is protected through the use of encryption, such as the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol. ​ Changes to this Statement ​ BC Insight Meditation Society will occasionally update this Statement of Privacy to reflect company and customer feedback. BC Insight Meditation Society encourages you to periodically review this Statement to be informed of how BC Insight Meditation Society is protecting your information. ​ Contact Information ​ BC Insight Meditation Society welcomes your comments regarding this Statement of Privacy. If you believe that BC Insight Meditation Society has not adhered to this Statement, please contact BC Insight Meditation Society at info@bcims.org . We will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly determine and remedy the problem.

Sitting Groups Sitting Group ​ Vancouver Queer Sangha In-Person at Mountain Rain Zendo, Vancouver ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Alternate Tuesdays More info ​ Sitting Group ​ Victoria Insight Meditation Society In- Person at Helga Beer Yoga Studio 202-1600 Bay Street, Victoria 7:00 - 8:30 pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays VIMS Sunday night sits are an opportunity to practice meditation and listen to dharma talks with our community sangha. The sits are led by dharma teachers and dedicated peer leaders. Everyone is welcome. More Info ​ Sitting Group ​ Online with Rachel Online, 7:00-7:30am ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Daily Zoom Rachel Lewis Sitting Group ​ Gen X / Millenial Group Online, 7:00-8:30pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Mondays Group is on break until 2024. Sign up to be notified when it resumes. More info Jason Leslie Sitting Group ​ North Shore Online, 7:30-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Mondays Email ​ Sitting Group ​ Tuesday Evening w/ Karen Lawrie In-Person, 7:30-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays Email Karen Lawrie for details Email Karen Lawrie Sitting Group ​ Wednesday Group w/ Sānta Aloi Online, 6:45-8:15pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Wednesdays Email Sānta Aloi for details Email Sānta Aloi Sitting Group ​ DIY Dharma Online, 7:30-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Wednesdays Open to all practitioners of Buddhist meditation. No experience necessary. Zoom ​ Sitting Group ​ Thursday Morning w/ Karen Lawrie In-Person, 10:30am-12:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Thursdays Email Karen Lawrie for details Email Karen Lawrie Sitting Group ​ Judy Witheford's Sitting Group Online, 7:00-9:00pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Thursdays Please email for further details and Zoom link. Email Judy Witheford Sitting Group ​ Duncan In-Person ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays and Mondays We sit weekly in south Duncan. Sunday at 10 a.m. and Monday at 6:30 p.m. Email Judith Green for details. Email ​ Sitting Group ​ Quadra Island In-Person ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Sundays Email Don McEachern for details Email ​ Sitting Group ​ Sweet Refuge IBPOC Sangha on Lkwungen Territory (Victoria) Online and In-Person, 7:00-8:30pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Every second week on Wednesdays As a peer-lead IBPOC sangha committed to the path of the dharma, we gather to build community in the spirit of collective liberation. With humility and gratitude we sit on the unceded traditional homelands of the Lkwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Email ​ Sitting Group ​ Salt Spring Insight Meditation Community Online and In-Person, 7:00-8:30pm ​ ​ Meeting Frequency: Weekly on Wednesdays We presently meet every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. both in person and on Zoom. The group is lead by Christine Mauro and David Rumsey. For further information, email: saltspringimc@gmail.com Email ​ BACK TO TOP

FAQ - Attending Retreats What is a Non-residential Retreat? Non-residential means that you leave at the end of each day of the retreat and return home. Each day includes: - alternating sitting and walking meditation session (approximately 45 minutes in length each). - instructions, guided meditaiton and dharma talks from the teacher - group Q&A sessions with the teacher What is a Residential Retreat? At a residential retreat, you stay at a retreat centre for the duration of the retreat. These retreats are usually 7 or 9 days in length (or even longer). A residential retreat provides the environment for deepening your meditation practice with sustained practice periods. What is dana? Dana (pronounced "dah-na") is a Pali word meaning generosity. Since the time of the Buddha, there has existed a mutually supportive relationship between those who offer the teachings and those who receive them. The teachings are given freely, since they are considered priceless. According to the Buddha, generosity - or sharing what we have - is one of the central pillars of a spiritual life. In the act of giving, we develop our ability to let go, cultivate a spirit of caring, and acknowledge the interconnectedness that we all share. The Buddha created a system to develop this quality of open-handedness whereby those who share the teachings are dependent on those who receive them. To this day in the East, monks and nuns go on daily alms rounds with a begging bowl, relying on the generosity of lay people for support in continuing their teaching and spiritual life. As this ancient teaching moves to the West, we hope to keep alive this joyful tradition. At BCIMS, our goal is to maintain reasonable fees for retreats and classes so that everyone in our community may participate in the programs we offer. Registration fees cover venue rental, food, and teacher transportation. None of this money goes directly to the teachers or residential retreat staff. To allow the teachers to continue their dharma work, support from students is needed. There will be an opportunity to contribute at the end of each retreat, class and daylong. The practice of dana is an expression of appreciation for something of great value that has been freely given. Your support allows BCIMS to flourish and others to benefit from the teachings. May your practice be for the benefit of all. What do I need to go on a residential retreat? Not much. Here is a brief list of what you will need: - Comfortable clothing; layers to adjust to the temperature in the dharma hall. Sometimes a light shawl or blanket is useful. Please bring “quiet” clothing: do not bring nylon jackets into the meditation hall. You’ll need outerwear for walking periods outdoors, and shoes to walk between dormitory, dining hall, and meditation hall. As a refinement of courtesy to other retreatants, please do not bring clothing with lots of text on it, and please stay relatively covered-up (t-shirt and long shorts in warm weather rather than halter top and short-shorts). - Something to sit on. Your options are a chair (usually supplied); a zafu (a meditation cushion) which is usually set on a firm mat or folded blanket; or a meditation bench, which also is set on a mat or folded blanket. Most bring their own zafu or bench but if you’re just starting a practice you might want to experiment before you invest. At some residential retreats there may be some extra benches and zafus for you to try. - Unscented personal products (soap, shampoo, body lotion, etc.) out of consideration for persons with sensitivities. What don't I need on a residential retreat? You can leave books, journals, pens, drawing tools, portable audio devices, cell phones, and other technological devices at home. You support the inner journey when you minimize your usual outward distractions. What should I bring to a non-residential retreat? There are three things to remember to bring on the weekend ... a bag lunch, a blanket or shawl because the meditation hall can sometimes be quite drafty and cold and a mug for the hot water that will be available during lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Please bring any tea that you wish to use. There are chairs provided. If you wish to sit on the floor, you will need to bring your own sitting gear (cushions, mats, pillows, etc) What should I not bring to a non-residential retreat? Please do not bring perfumed products on your person or on your clothing. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. What is Noble Silence? The retreat will be held in silence. This means that we do not talk with one another while we are practising. Please preserve the silence in the hall and throughout the building. Anything else I should know about retreats? It helps to know a little retreat etiquette. Here are a few things to keep in mind: - Keep Noble Silence: this includes avoiding unnecessary direct eye contact, signals, and notes except to the manager and teacher. It’s useful practice to keep your mind to yourself. You’ll find it’s a full-time job! - Help to maintain a tranquil environment by taking off nylon jackets and undoing velcro, zippers, and noisy snaps outside the dharma hall. - Be on time: out of respect for the practice, your fellow retreatants and yourself, be settled in your place when a formal sitting period starts and stay until after the sitting has ended. - Wait until the teacher has left before getting up from the sitting. - Unless you’re not well (in which case, let the teacher know), keep to the schedule: it’s designed to support your inner process. - Learn the vipassana sneeze and cough: cover your coughs with the crook of your elbow, or upper arm, not your hand. - Keep track of the information BCIMS will share about Covid safety precautions for your retreat. - At the centres where we run retreats, vegetarian food is provided, with options for dairy-free and gluten-free retreatants. There is also space (shelves and refrigerators) to store food that you bring from home.

TEACHERS Senior Dharma Teacher Teacher Council Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Students Guest Teachers Practice Interviews Senior Dharma Teacher Adrianne Ross Adrianne Ross (she/her), a retired family physician, has been involved in meditation and healing since 1976. She began practicing insight meditation with Theravada teachers in 1984 and began teaching in 1995. She co-founded BCIMS with the late Joanne Broatch over 20 years ago and was also the guiding teacher for Saskatoon insight for many years. ​ She is influenced by both Thai and Burmese streams of the Theravadan tradition, as well as Tibetan (Mahamudra and Dzogchen) practice. She teaches classes, weekend and residential retreats in Canada and the US. ​ She has been involved in teaching and mentoring students in the Dedicated Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner (now LEAP) Programs through Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. She is happy to see how the dharma has flourished in BC and in particular that there are a growing number participants from a wider diversity of backgrounds. She is committed to supporting the increase of safety and availability for people of various identities and capacities, both as students and becoming teachers sharing the dharma.​ Teacher Council Senior Dharma Teacher Teacher Council Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Students Guest Teachers Practice Interviews Rachel Lewis Rachel Lewis (she/her) began practicing insight meditation in 2003, while completing her physics PhD at Yale. Since then she has spent many months on retreat, including two three-month retreats at IMS. Since 2011, she has taught dharma and meditation classes and retreats in British Columbia and beyond. She completed the IMS/IRC 4-year teacher training in 2021, as well as the Dedicated Practitioner Program (2010) and the Community Dharma Leader program (2012) at Spirit Rock. Her dharma teaching interests include the power of music, humour, and creativity to increase our capacity for learning, as well as the way that practice supports and is supported by social justice work. See her upcoming events on her website . James Lowe James Lowe (he/him) completed Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader Program in 2012 and Spirit Rock’s 4-year retreat teacher training program in 2020. After experimenting with meditation since the mid 1980’s, James made a commitment to Theravada practice in 2004 that includes annual three- to four-week retreats. James has been an adult educator since 1992 and is a counsellor and instructor in his work life. He’s interested in the workable day-to-day practice of Metta and Mindfulness at home, work, school and community. He incorporates the dharma in his counselling and leadership work, thereby translating the dharma into everyday language and practice. See his upcoming events on his website . Tempel Smith Tempel Smith (he/him) began practicing vipassana and metta meditation in 1989 within the Theravada Buddhist tradition at Insight Meditation Society (IMS). Tempel focused his younger years on service and activism within nuclear disarmament, environmental protection, and working in crisis shelters for homeless and abused youth. In 1997 he spent a year in Myanmar (Burma) as an ordained monk with both Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita and Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tempel began teaching meditation and Buddhist psychology to a wide variety of people including prisoners, activists, youth, service providers, and those with severe and chronic illnesses. He worked for the Buddhist Peace Fellowship in Berkeley coordinating the B.A.S.E. and Young Adults programs, and also has led pilgrimages in Thailand, Burma, and India for the past ten years. See his upcoming events on his website . Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Dharma Teacher Teacher Council Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Students Guest Teachers Practice Interviews Julie Blais Julie Blais (she/her) started to practice meditation in 2001 at Chom Tong monastery in Thailand where she ordained as a nun in the Theraveda Mahasi tradition for 7 months under Ajahn Tong and completed multiple 10-day intensive meditation retreats during her staythere. Over the years, she has returned many times to the monastery to assist her retreat teachers Kun Thanat and Kate Chindaporn; she has also completed retreats under various meditation teachers from Asia, Europe and America. Julie has completed Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader and Dedicated Practitioner programs. She is also a Certified Awakening Joy Teacher from James Baraz and authorized mentor from Mindfulness Mentor Program by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Julie has done a 3-month silent retreat at IMS and is currently teaching meditation classes for beginners and advanced students. She is Certified Functional Health Coach and loves to teach and take mindfulness to outdoors activities with her students. Brock Brown Brock Brown (he/him) is a founding member and Chair of the Victoria Insight Meditation Society where he teaches and leads meditation retreats. He has been dedicated to the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings in the Theravada tradition for over 30 years, and is inspired by the Thai Forest tradition. He is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Dedicated Practitioners Program and the Community Dharma Leader Program and completed the Birken Forest Monastery Upasika program. Brock enjoys studying the suttas and making them relevant to our everyday lives. Karen Lawrie Karen has been practicing meditation for over 30 years, with experience in both the Zen and Vipassana traditions. She spent ten years in residential training at the Rochester Zen Centre under her teacher Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Upon returning to the West Coast 15 years ago, she also completed Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader program under James Baraz and Tara Brach. She currently leads weekly sitting groups and monthly Days of Mindfulness in Vancouver. She is actively involved in supporting her own and others practice in meaningful ways that promote the embodied integration of Buddhist meditation practice in everyday life. Janet Lironi Janet Lironi is a Community Dharma Leader on Gabriola, who received training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. After years of exploring diferent meditation and spiritual practices, she has, for the past 20 years, dedicated herself to the practice and study of Buddhist teachings from a Theravada or Insight perspective. In her support of Sangha on Gabriola, she leads weekly sits, yearlong study groups, beginner meditation classes, and daylong retreats. She is beginning to assist her core teacher Arinna Weisman at residential retreats. Janet is also trained as a counsellor and has taught Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn). Janet’s intention is to live with kindness and compassion for herself, all beings, and the earth. Margo McLoughlin Margo McLoughlin (she/her) completed her training to be a Community Dharma Leader at Spirit Rock in 2012. A writer, storyteller, and teacher, Margo holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard where she studied Pali and Sanskrit. She continues to study Pali with Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi and has done intensive practice in Burma and the U.S. Her teachers include Joseph Goldstein, Thanissara, Steve Armstrong and Kamala Masters. Currently, Margo leads retreats and gives classes (online and in-person) with the Victoria Insight Meditation Society and Satipañña Insight Meditation Toronto. She is a former board member of the BC Association for Living Mindfully and draws on her storytelling skills to teach mindfulness to children. Pari Ruengvisesh Pari was born and raised in Thailand. Growing up in a predominantly Theravada Buddhist culture, she became familiar with Buddhist teachings and living the teachings as an embodied way of life. She has been living in Vancouver since the late 90’s. In 2004, she started formal Vipassana and Metta Meditation practice with Linda McDonald, and later on, with Michele McDonald and Steven Smith, as well as other western teachers and Asian monastics. Pari is committed to formal meditation practice on intensive retreats and applying the teachings in her daily life. Her primary practice is the Four Establishments of Mindfulness in the Mahasi Tradition. She has practiced under the guidance of the late Sayadaw U Pandita and Sayadaw U Lakkhana of Burma, and since 2010, Sayadaw U Vivekananda of Panditarama Lumbini, Nepal. In 2012 she completed the Community Dhamma Leader Program at Spirit Rock, California. She has been sharing the Dhamma in Vancouver, and since 2013, has been assisting Michele McDonald, Steven Smith, and Jesse Vega-Frey with their annual Spring retreat at Hollyhock on Cortes Island, BC. Margot Sangster Margot has studied at meditation centers and monasteries in the USA, Thailand, Nepal, England, and Canada. She lived/volunteered at Spirit Rock and Wat Kow Tahm Meditation Center in Thailand. In addition to the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders Program, Margot completed the Buddhist Peace Fellowship BASE Program (Buddhist Alliance for Social Engagement), and the Zen Hospice Training. She has been teaching meditation to people from all walks of life since 1998. Margot holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. Her professional experience is diverse, and includes social services, non-formal education, and international development. Her work has taken her to Afghanistan and the Philippines. ​ For practice interviews email Margot or phone 604.831.9226 Judy Witheford Judy Witheford (she/her) began her spiritual training in the late 1970’s in the Rinzai Zen tradition under Joshu Sasaki Roshi. In 2000, she ordained as a Buddhist nun in Burma and from 2000 - 2008 spent 24 months in intensive silent meditation retreats in Burma at Chanmyay Yeiktha, Panditarama Forest Center and Sayadaw U Tejaniya's Shwe Oo Min. In 2008, she and Sayadaw U Indaka organized a free medical/dental clinic to serve 1900 poor rural families in two Myanmar villages. She completed the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock in 2008. In 2015 and 2016, she spent 4.5 months in intensive silent meditation in Lumbini, Nepal under the guidance of Sayadaw U Vivekananda and Sayalay Bhaddamanika. She has also participated in several six-week retreats at the Forest Refuge in Barre with Ajahn Sucitto, Joseph Goldstein and Sayadaw U Vivekananda. Judy teaches Vipassana Meditation and leads a weekly meditation group in Vancouver on Zoom. Senior Students Senior Dharma Teacher Teacher Council Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Students Guest Teachers Practice Interviews Jason Leslie Jason Leslie (he/him) first embraced mindfulness practice and Buddhist meditation as a way of life in 2004. He began sitting in the Insight tradition in 2011. He is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Dedicated Practitioners Program, and recently completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certificate Program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. He regularly sits long retreats and attended the 3-month retreat at the Insight Meditation Society in 2017. Formerly a lawyer, Jason graduated in May 2023 with a PhD in law, where his research focused on mortgage funding and economic justice in the Canadian housing market. Sānta Aloi Sānta Aloi (she/her) has practiced in the Vipassana tradition for over 30 years. She has sat many long retreats and has completed both the Dedicated Practioners Program and the Advanced Practitioners Program at Spirit Rock. She has been greatly influenced by the teachings of Ajahn Sumedho, with her main Vipassana teachers being Guy Armstrong, Adrianne Ross, Phillip Moffitt and Venerable Analayo. She has also studied with teachers in the Tibetan tradition, particularly Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Authorized by Adrianne Ross and Phillip Moffitt, she leads sitting groups and teaches classes. A former Professor of Dance at SFU, choreographer and dancer, she taught movement and improvisation from a place of mindfulness of body, mind and heart. Her aspiration has been to live and to share practices attuning the heart to the beauty of the dharma. Jenna Jordison Since 1984 Jenna has been attending yearly meditation retreats in the Theravada tradition. Her dharma journey has led her to train as an interfaith hospital chaplain where she has served patients and families at critical moments of their lives. She envisions a sangha where community members are supported with compassion at times of transition. Jenna has answered requests to lead sitting groups and teach introductory meditation classes. In the late 1990’s she managed the first local residential retreats of teachers Adrianne Ross and Joanne Broatch. Two meditation groups she started when her children were young continue now, over twenty years later. She is influenced by the teachings of Ajahn Chah from the Thai Forest tradition and Gregory Kramer's Insight Dialogue, among others. Guest Teachers Senior Dharma Teacher Teacher Council Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Students Guest Teachers Practice Interviews Ajahn Candasiri DaRa Williams Howard Cohn Nikki Mirghafori Steve Armstrong Anushka Fernandopulle Dawn Scott Jeanne Corrigal Pascal Auclair Tuere Sala Carol Wilson Greg Scharf Kamala Masters Phillip Moffitt Vance Pryor Christina Feldman Guy Armstrong Kristina Baré Roxanne Dault Practice Interviews Discuss your meditation practice in person with one of our community Dharma Leaders. ​ These interviews are by donation and usually 30 to 60 minutes in duration.​ Senior Dharma Teacher Teacher Council Commumity Dharma Leaders Senior Students Guest Teachers Practice Interviews Rachel Lewis James Lowe Margot Sangster Contact Rachel Contact James Contact Margot

CONTACT Please feel free to contact us using the form below. If you have a question about a specific event we are hosting, you will get a quicker response by going to your eventbrite confirmation or reminder email and clicking on Contact the Organizer. You can find our list of events here also: http://bcims.eventbrite.com Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

MAKE A DONATION We welcome with gratitude your donations to support BCIMS Programs. ​ Thank you for considering a donation to support BCIMS in its mission to be a resource for anyone interested in learning about the liberating teachings of the Buddha. Your gifts and generosity help us not only to deliver high-quality programming, but also to directly support individuals and communities who have traditionally been underserved by Buddhist organizations. BCIMS is a non-profit organization and Canadian Income Tax receipts are issued for all donations. DONATE NOW How to Contribute One Time Gift We welcome with gratitude any donation you are able to contribute. Your gift supports BCIMS in its commitments to make the dharma available to anyone who seeks it, and to serving you, the Insight Meditation sangha in British Columbia. ​ Recurring Gifts We hope you will consider setting up a recurring (monthly) gift to BCIMS. Recurring donations allow you to spread out your donations. They are also a simple and effective way to support BCIMS by offering the organization a steady stream of revenue throughout the year. Even a small contribution per month adds up to a sizable gift by the end of the year. ​ Donating Publicly Traded Securities or Mutual Funds In addition to being of great benefit to BCIMS, a donation of publicly traded securities or mutual funds is the most efficient way to give charitably. Since capital gains taxes do not apply when giving stocks or mutual funds to charities, BCIMS receives the full fair market value when the security is sold. More Info Leaving a Bequest in your Will We are pleased to discuss with you or your financial/legal advisor the different types of bequests. Click the link below some broad guidelines for ensuring your gift to BC Insight Meditation Society is received as you intend. For more information, please reach out directly to BCIMS at generosity@bcims.org More Info Where to Contribute It’s important to us that you have input for deciding how your gift is used. Currently, we are accepting donations to the following funds, or you can earmark your gift to be put towards the area of greatest need at BCIMS’s discretion. BCIMS Funds Area of Greatest Need Your generous gift to this fund allows us the flexibility to direct funds where they will have the greatest impact throughout the year. ​ Program Funding Contributions to this fund will be used for day-to-day operations at BCIMS. This fund is the primary vehicle that allows BCIMS to make the dharma available through retreats, classes, daylongs and other dharma activities. ​ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Fund The DEI fund was created to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives at BCIMS. Its purpose is to:​ Subsidize events for the BIPoC community within our sangha Provide financial assistance to participants from marginalized groups to attend BCIMS long, in-person, retreats Offer extra support to BIPoC teachers leading BCIMS retreats and events Support dharma activities for groups traditionally underserved by Buddhist organizations ​ Financial Assistance for Retreat Attendees This fund is used to offer a 50% registration fee subsidy assistance to individuals who self-identify as requiring financial support to attend a long, in-person, BCIMS retreat. ​ Joanne Broatch Memorial Fund The Joanne Broatch Memorial fund offers a 100% registration fee subsidy for individuals who require financial assistance to attend a long, in-person, BCIMS retreat. The fund was set up in honour of Joanne Broatch, a founding teacher of the British Columbia Insight Meditation Society. Applicants for this scholarship are recommended by the BCIMS Teachers Council.

RESOURCES Meditation Centres Meditation Centres Online Resources Karuna Sangha Support Engaged Dharma British Columbia Birken Forest Monastery D.I.Y. Dharma Hollyhock Salt Spring Island Vipassana Commu nity Sea to Sky Retreat Centre Victoria Insight Meditation Society Canada Regina Insight Meditation Community Saskatoon Insight Meditation Community True North Insight, Montreal Edmonton Insight Meditation United States Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, CA Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, MA Bhavana Society, WV Cloud Mountatin Retreat Center, WA East Bay Meditation Center, CA Insight Meditation Society, MA Insight Retreat Center, CA Metta Forest Monastery, CA Northwest Dharma Association, WA Seattle Insight Meditation, WA Spirit Rock, CA Vipassana Hawaii, HI Vipassana Metta on Maui, HI International​ Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, England Gaia House, England Sakyadhita: An international association of Buddhist women Online Resources Meditation Centres Online Resources Karuna Sangha Support Engaged Dharma Online Information on Buddhism Buddhanet: Buddhist Education and Information Network ​ Dharma Talks - audio ​ Dharma Seed Audiodharma Compassionate Action Sites Buddhist Peace Fellowship One Earth Sangha Buddhist Global Relief Fund Greater Vancouver Food Bank . Volunteer with or donate to the GVFB, which helps feed more than 26,000 people each week. Global Volunteer Network . A great organization that offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. Dharma Action Network for Climate Engagement (DANCE ) Earth Sangha in Arlington, Virginia Green Sangha in the San Francisco Bay Area Spirit Rock Green Group Touch the Earth Forum Insight World Aid Karuna Sangha Support Meditation Centres Online Resources Karuna Sangha Support Engaged Dharma BCIMS has a Karuna (compassion) Sangha Support group to assist those in our sangha who may need help for various reasons from time to time. It's an opportunity for us to practice generosity, compassionate action and to support each other in concrete, caring ways. ​ For example, if there’s a sudden or prolonged illness, surgery or other unexpected crisis. In short, it's an opportunity to live the dharma, and the meaning of sangha, which is community. ​ We can also offer spiritual care in the form of home or hospital visits for those experiencing grief, loss, transition, or crisis who would welcome any of the following: compassionate listening, someone to meditate with, guided meditation, chanting or Healing Touch. ​ "Joanne Broatch and I personally experienced the generosity of this group. At that time we had both undergone surgery and needed support in various ways: I needed someone to stay with me for the first few days at home; we both needed people to supply a few hot evening meals and someone to take us to the occasional doctor's appointment. We felt supported and cared for at a vulnerable time. This is a valuable and important service to offer and it builds a stronger, caring sangha." ​ If you would like to offer help from time to time or if you are in need of support please contact karuna@bcims.org Engaged Dharma Meditation Centres Online Resources Karuna Sangha Support Engaged Dharma Bringing the dharma into daily life is how we manifest the naturally compassionate and altruistic heart. When we are aware of the abundance in which we live, it’s easy to to do this and to take advantage of the many opportunities available beyond the home and workplace. ​ BCIMS encourages and supports volunteering and involvement in existing groups that further the values of generosity and heartfulness. We encourage involvement in community projects such as those under the banner of Engaged Buddhism, Food Banks, Community Kitchens, and ”Runs”; as well as initiating specific projects in the dharma community, such as sit-a-thons, car-washes, and social fund raisers (usually in support of overseas Buddhist communities). ​ Buddhist Peace Fellowship The Buddhist Peace Fellowship aspires to help beings liberate themselves from the suffering that manifests in individuals, relationships, institutions, and social systems. BPF ’s programs, publications, and practice groups link Buddhist teachings of wisdom and compassion with progressive social change. ​ One Earth Sangha Go to One Earth Sangha , to explore how Buddhist teachings can inform and support awakening and response to climate change and other threats to our shared home, through education, sustainable living and advocacy. ​ Buddhist Global Relief Fund Founded by Bhikkhu Bodhi, BGR is an interdenominational organization comprising people of different Buddhist groups who share the vision of a Buddhism actively committed to the task of alleviating social and economic suffering. ​ Green Sangha Green Sangha is an organization that brings spiritual practice and environmental work together to heal our planet. Their mission is to bring healing to ourselves, one another, and the earth through thoughts, words, and actions rooted in love. ​ Compassionate Action Sites Greater Vancouver Food Bank . Volunteer with or donate to the GVFB, which helps feed more than 26,000 people each week. Buddhist Peace Fellowship . Through BPF, Buddhists of many different traditions are developing individual and group responses to socially conditioned suffering. Zen Peacemaker Community . A global civil society of organizations and individuals around the world working for social transformation. Global Volunteer Network . A great organization that offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. Sign the Buddhist Declaration for Climate Change All concerned members of the international Buddhist community are invited to study the document and add their voice by signing the Declaration.