A friend’s husband asked why we sit around instead of doing something for the dismal state of the world. I was impressed with his courage to take on a whole room of people who do a lot of that sitting around in meditation. I didn’t chime in to answer his question; I just wanted to send him vibes of support. Did he feel it? Maybe. His question was one many meditators have confronted from friends or their own doubt. It was a good question and I’m glad he asked. Sitting in silence can seem ineffectual, even absurd - and it takes some faith to think we are actually doing something. There’s much pain, suffering, and conflict in the world. You may have noticed this. If you sit and meditate a little, you may well see it in yourself.

But just why do we meditate? Most of us come to it initially as a self improvement project; to be calmer, to be less greedy, less angry, less reactive. It can happen but meditation isn’t looking to acquire a better self because looking to ourselves, we don’t see our interdependence in this web of being. As I understand it, we let go to reveal our innate goodness already, letting go of what obscures it – including what we want to achieve by meditating. Doesn’t that sound peaceful right there? A relief?

The meditation as the Buddha taught is profound and I’m offering a rudimentary explanation, mainly what it is not. As the Buddha taught, meditation is not a way to achieve worldly attainment. It’s not a relaxation technique. Some rightly call it good for nothing. Coming to it with a wanting mind is not meditation. It’s about seeing what is happening, what is arising in the here and now, not ruminating or planning, but letting it all settle in the present moment. It’s pure bare awareness that can be, and hopefully is, taken into the world and expressed as presence, love, and compassion. Zen teacher Steve Hagen images, “The riverbed far below does not disturb the water.” We drop down. We don’t grasp or push away. The river flows.

Seeing silly, grasping, self-centered thoughts arise without judgement shows us the clouds that obscure our innate goodness and virtue. In meditation, we practice letting them dissolve revealing our capacity to be of benefit to all beings. When we empty ourselves of grasping, judgement, fear, and confusion, we are available to the present moment and that is what we do when we meditate. We are present for each moment to arise. We cannot be available to be effective without being present. As we and all phenomena are not independent, we bring forth this present awareness in our being and what we do. Meditation is not only sitting still, this practice pervades our actions of body, speech and mind. But we practice without that goal, we just practice in the present moment.

The Buddha said, as recorded in the Samyutta Nikaya 12.2 (Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s translation):

When this is, that is.
From the arising of this comes the arising of that.
When this isn't, that isn't.
From the cessation of this comes the cessation of that.

When we sit in peace, peace arises in the web of being. When defilements are not brought into being, conflict is not brought into being. Thich Nhat Hanh calls this interbeing, fully living out this connection. As John said in a recent talk, the next Buddha may, as Thich Nhat Hanh also said, be a sangha. If that is so, we have a responsibility to be present, to reveal our wisdom and compassion. We create the conditions for that arising with discipline and joyful effort in meditation which can be developed for the benefit of all beings.

Donate your gently used Buddhist based books to the IMFW library. We keep a selection of Buddhist books in our Welcome Room to lend to any visitors. We would like to expand the selection of our books. We are gratefully accepting donations of books – any lineage is welcome.

IMFW is offering Day-long retreats on April 8, 22, and the 27th . John and/or Pam Steinbach are facilitating the day. Each is a stand-alone event, so you are welcome to attend one or all, just let John know you plan to participate. See the article below for details.

Spring Clean-up lawn care days will be May 6, with the 13th scheduled as a rain date. Join us for a fun day of yard work helping to make our grounds look fantastic. Volunteers can arrive as early as 9am. We usually work until all of the mulch is spread and debris is cleared away. Please bring your own yard tools, if you are able. Some will be on site.

We welcome any volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering, you may contact us at insightmeditationfw@gmail.com. We need volunteers to help maintain our gardens. If you are interested in helping weed and water the grounds one time a month for about an hour, please send your contact information to Deb at the email address above.

Insight Meditation Fort Wayne is entirely supported by dana, which includes the generous donation of money, time, talents or all. If you feel you have something to give back to this community – please donate now.

Our mission is to provide for the study and practice of Insight (Vipassanā) Meditation according to the Theravāda Buddhist religious tradition and to support and encourage the development of community based upon Buddhist ideals, teachings and practices.

We’ve done a few one-day retreats now and had a number of people attend.  Some attendees have done many retreats in the past while others were experiencing their first period of extended meditation. It seemed the days went well for first timers, which is very encouraging.

This one-day format is an ideal opportunity to experience the benefit of meditating with others for a longer period.  The day is not too long and the format less rigorous than other retreats. Yet it is long enough to taste the increased stability and clarity we can find when sitting in the supportive atmosphere of a group.

In the period between 9:00 and noonish we have a talk and conversation at the beginning of the day followed by a two hour block that alternates between 30 minutes of seated meditation and 30 minutes of walking meditation.  The 30 minutes of walking is a flexible time; a person can walk mindfully, choose to do more seated meditation, go to the bathroom, stretch, drink tea or whatever fits into the meditative goals of the day.  After that two hour block, we might have another seated meditation before lunch.  

Instead of maintaining silence at lunch, we have been using the time for mindful conversation.  We take an hour for lunch and a break (a nap for me, and that is wonderful option for anyone!).  

The afternoon starts the same with a brief talk and conversation and another two-hour block of sitting and walking, maybe followed by a last seated meditation and a final discussion.  

The atmosphere is relaxed and the teachings center on letting go of thinking and allowing the mind to settle. 

If you want to attend one of the upcoming sessions or have any questions, please call or text John at 260-413-2372.   

Dates are April 8, 22,and 27th

Times are 9:00 - 5:00 in person at Sangha House, 2332 Sandpoint Road, Fort Wayne, IN

Please remember to bring your lunch and register in advance with John.