Who We Are
The Santa Fe Vipassana Sangha is a community of dharma practitioners seeking liberation through Insight Meditation and integration of the Buddha’s teachings into daily life.
As spiritual friends, committed to generosity and compassionate action, we are dedicated to supporting each other’s practice.
The sangha is a non-profit organization engaged in an ongoing process of consensus decision-making.
This community is open to all people seeking to follow the Eight-fold Path regardless of color, race, gender, age, or sexual preference.
Insight Meditation
Insight meditation or vipassana in Pali, the original language of the Buddhist texts, is a simple and direct practice — the moment-to-moment observation of the mind-body process through calm, focused awareness. Seeing life as a constantly changing process, one begins to accept pleasure and pain, fear and joy, and all aspects of life with increasing equanimity and balance. As insight deepens, wisdom and compassion arise. Growth in clarity brings about penetrating insight into the nature of our experience and increases peace and clarity in our daily lives. With this comes an increased awareness that at all times we are practicing not just for ourselves but also for the benefit of all beings.
Along with vipassana the Buddha taught metta as a complementary practice to Insight Meditation. Metta, the Pali word for loving-kindness, is a meditation that helps to cultivate our natural capacity to have an open and loving heart. Metta is traditionally offered along with meditations that deepen compassion, joy in the happiness of others, and equanimity. These practices aid the development of concentration, happiness, and a greater ability to love.
The Origin of Vipassana Meditation
The vipassana practice originates in the Theravada tradition, which is the oldest of the three main branches of Buddhism. It has been taught in Asia for more than 2,500 years and continues to be the core Buddhist practice in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and parts of India. Vipassana meditation was brought to the United States by Western lay practitioners in the 1970s, and it is often referred to as Western Vipassana.
Dharma
Although the word dharma can have many meanings, it generally means those timeless teachings of the Buddha that awaken our potential for happiness. It also refers to the truth of things as they are. Therefore everything is dharma, and everything is of a lawful nature.
Sangha
Sangha is a community of people who practice meditation together and are committed to the teachings of the Buddha in the form of the Eight-fold Path. Sangha historically referred to the monks and nuns, but now has the broader meaning of the entire community of practitioners.
Dana
Dana is the Pali word for “generosity” or “gift.” It is intrinsic to the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha stated that the teachings were priceless, and thus should be offered freely to those seeking the wisdom of the dharma. The act of giving itself is of immeasurable benefit to the giver, opening the heart, diminishing one’s self-absorption, and valuing the well-being of others. Each week we are given the opportunity to offer such a gift to our teacher in appreciation for his or her willingness to impart this wisdom. Teachers are not paid for teaching and have no other income other than dana. There is no suggested amount, since dana is not a payment for a service, but rather a way of inspiring both gratitude and generosity in our hearts.
Our Practice
Please see the Calendar for our practice schedule.
Location: Mountain Cloud Zen Center - Map to MCZC - is located at 7241 Old Santa Fe Trail, one mile south of the intersection with Zia Road. Most events, such as Tuesday evening meditations, classes and non-residential retreats are held at MCZC. Other locations are listed with the event.
Weekly Meditation: The Santa Fe Vipassana Sangha (SFVS) meditates together on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe. Tuesday night sitting includes a 45-minute meditation followed by a dharma talk.
Introductory Classes: A class for those new to vipassana practice is offered free of charge, beginning the first Tuesday of most months. The class continues for four Tuesdays and covers the basics of vipassana and metta practice. There is no need to reserve a place, just arrive at 6:15 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.
Continuing Education: SFVS also offers classes that focus on a single aspect of meditation or other Buddhist teachings. The classes are announced in advance, and we request that students sign up in advance.
Resident Teachers: SFVS provides residencies for nationally and internationally known teachers. Residencies are generally three to six weeks, and a number of teachers return each year. Students may study with the teachers with whom they feel an affinity.
Retreats: SFVS offers a variety of residential and non-residential retreats for both beginning and experienced meditators. Dharma teachers offer daily meditation instruction, dharma talks and teacher/student interviews.
Opportunities for Service: The Santa Fe Vipassana Sangha is a not-for-profit organization that is guided by a board of directors and several volunteer committees. Opportunities for service within the sangha are available for anyone who wishes to contribute to the larger community.
Sangha Meetings: The sangha holds regular meetings, and everyone is invited to attend. This is an opportunity for all interested practitioners to participate, put forth new ideas, discuss issues and get to know other sangha members.
