Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation
(also called Insight or Vipassana meditation)

BCIMS offers several introductory classes a year on mindfulness meditation.  For details on upcoming classes click here.

If you are not able to attend an introductory class you may want to consider attending a retreat where instruction for new meditators is offered.  BCIMS offers several residential retreats a year which are suitable for beginners.  For information on upcoming retreats click here.

Westcoast Dharma Society also offers regular non-residential weekend retreats at the Asian Centre at UBC which provide instruction for new meditators.  For more information go to www.westcoastdharma.org.     

Weekly Sitting Groups

Meditators often find it helpful to practice regularly with other people.  The sitting groups usually meet weekly or bi-weekly.  As most sitting groups do not provide instruction we recommend that new meditators attend an introductory class or retreat before joining a sitting group. However, you may want to check with the individual sitting group to see if having prior meditation instruction is necessary.

Books for Beginners

There are excellent books on mindfulness meditation for beginners.  The following books provide an introduction to meditation practice:

A Path With Heart, Jack Kornfield
Mindfulness in Plain English, Ven. Henepola Gunaratana
Breath Sweeps Mind, Jean Smith editor
It’s Easier Than You Think, Sylvia Boorstein
Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom, Goldstein and Kornfield
The Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation, Arinna Weisman 

Being Nobody, Going Nowhere, Ayya Khema

On-line Talks &  Resources

Many Vipassana meditation teachers also offer talks that provide instruction on mindfulness meditation.  You may find the following talks helpful:

Dharma Seed Talks http://www.dharmaseed.org/talks/

Series of Talks by Tara Brach

Part 1 The Art and Science of Meditation Introductory Series

Part 2 Mindfulness of Emotions Introductory Series

Part 3 Mindfulness of Thoughts Introductory Series

Part 4 Living From Presence Introductory Series

Teacher’s Name followed by the Title of the Talk

Steve Armstrong   -   Introduction to Meditation Practice

Thanissaro Bhikkhu   -   Introduction to Breath Meditation

Sylvia Boorstein   -   Introduction to Vipassana Practice

Sylvia Boorstein and Donald Rothberg   -   Introduction to Lovingkindness

Matthew Daniell   -   Complete guided meditation instructions, beginning with breath and moving to choiceless awareness

Anushka Fernandopulle   -   For Love of the Body (Loving-kindness meditation towards the body)

Joseph Goldstein   -   Introduction to Meditation

Ayya Khema   -    Introduction to Meditation

Alan Lewis   -   Introductory Talk on Meditation and Guided Meditation

Michelle McDonald   -   An Introduction to Metta (Loving-kindness meditation)

Sharon Salzberg   -   Introduction to Metta (Loving-kindness meditation)

Diana Winston   -   What is Mindfulness?

Contacts

If you are unclear which resources are most suitable for you please contact us to discuss your options.