I have tremendous faith in our practice — of what we offer at Insight Meditation Fort Wayne (IMFW). When I step back and look at all the organizations that I’ve come in contact with, I think IMFW brings as much wisdom, compassion, love, and generosity into the world as any organization I can think of. So, when I think about a legacy in terms of financial giving, it is where Jack and I feel our donations can have the greatest impact to transform the world for the better. 

We trust the leadership and the vision in the IMFW organization and think that it has the greatest potential to carry the Buddha’s teachings into the future when we will no longer be here. Our sangha here at Sangha House represents something so valuable and unique in the Western dharma world that we want to help put it on a strong footing going forward.
 
What do You value most deeply? Where do You find refuge?
 
These are important questions many of us come to Sangha House to explore. Many come to cultivate a wise and open heart. IMFW welcomes everyone to discover for themselves calmness, compassion and well-being, the essence of our true nature.
 
The fruit of cultivating mindfulness is that we learn how to live in the world in a way of freely giving and receiving. If everyone who participates in events at IMFW practices generosity and gives to the level of their ability, IMFW will continue to thrive as a spiritual home accessible to all.  Dana, the Pali word for generosity, is a wonderful entry point for our understanding of ethics and is a cornerstone of our community of practice. 
  
Dana is a very useful way to practice this giving and receiving freely in life, to see each moment as a giving and a receiving. In this world, where we are always receiving something and responding or presenting ourselves in some way; the question is, “Can we do that freely?” Or does it have a lot of friction, a lot of resistance, a lot of stress in both the receiving and the giving?
 
When we come together here at Sangha House, may it be a place where we can practice being free. Freely receiving whatever you get from being in the community. Perhaps it is being in this beautiful building, receiving these teachings. Perhaps you are cultivating friendships that support you on your life path. Can you allow that to be a Free gift? It can make you Happy, to be receiving! How nice! No strings attached!
 
Then, in any way you give back - through your good wishes, your sincere practice, contributing money for the upkeep of this building, for our teachers. Anything you give is a Free gift because it makes you happy. 
 
So, in relationship to IMFW, and in any place else in your life where we want to cultivate this circle of freely giving and freely receiving, we’re practicing being Free in the world.
 
With lovingkindness and gratitude for your friendship and service to our community,
Tammy

Saturday, May 6^th is our Spring Clean-up lawn care day.  Please come out to help!   Saturday May 13^th is scheduled as a rain date.  People come and go as they are able.  We work together to make our grounds look fantastic.  Volunteers can arrive as early as 9 a.m.  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 also be available on site.

Donate your gently used Buddhism-based books to the IMFW library.  We keep a selection of Buddhist books in our Welcome Room to lend to 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 Thursday, May 4^th and 11^th, and Saturday, May 20^th and 27^th.  John and/or Pam Steinbach are facilitating the day.  Each day 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.   Each day is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and held at Sangha House.  You can enroll here: https://www.imfw.org/retreats-day-long

We welcome volunteers!  If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, you may contact us at insightmeditationfw@gmail.com

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 some walking meditation.  The walking meditation 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.  .
 
Pam Steinbach offers a period of gentle yoga during one of the walking meditation periods in the morning and one in the afternoon.  
 
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.   Or sign up at https://www.imfw.org/retreats-day-long
 
Dates for May are Thursdays, May 4 and 11, and Saturdays, May 20 and 27.
 
Times are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in person at Sangha House, 2332 Sandpoint Road, Fort Wayne, IN.
 
Please remember to bring your lunch and register in advance with John.
 
The teachings are freely offered.  Donation boxes are available in the Welcome Room for dana, which is the Pali word for generosity. The Buddha taught generosity was an important part of the path to enlightenment.  You may also support this sangha by donating on line.