The Portland Insight Meditation Community (PIMC) was founded in 1978 by our guiding teacher, Robert Beatty. PIMC is an independent center inspired by the Theravada Buddhist teachings of South East Asia. We are a community where individuals and families come together to learn, support one another, and deepen their practice of the Eight-Fold Path of the Buddha. Please know you need not be a "Buddhist" to join us. The practice of Insight Meditation requires no belief or adherence to a particular dogma. People of several faiths participate here at PIMC to enhance their other spiritual traditions.
The Buddha taught Insight Meditation, known in Asia as Vipassana, the practice of seeing things as they truly are. At the heart of Insight Meditation is the practice of mindfulness, the systematic cultivation of the mind and heart. It is the moment-to-moment investigation of the body, feelings, and consciousness through calm, affectionate and focused awareness. Sitting in silence allows us to pay close attention to the workings of the mind so we are less enthralled by our thoughts and emotions.
We, like all human beings, long to be happy. We understand that happiness comes from within and can be cultivated by learning about the mind. Insight Meditation relieves stress, has profound beneficial effects upon the body, promotes healing of psychological and emotional wounds, and nurtures the development of wisdom, compassion and happiness.
The usual format of our Sunday gatherings includes chanting, sitting meditation, walking meditation or guided movement, followed by a talk by Robert Beatty or one of our other teachers.
Our guiding teacher, Robert Beatty is available for individual instruction and consultation. www.robertbeatty.com
The Portland Insight Meditation Community (PIMC) was founded in 1978 by our guiding teacher, Robert Beatty. PIMC is an independent center inspired by the Theravada Buddhist teachings of South East Asia. We are a community where individuals and families come together to learn, support one another, and deepen their practice of the Eight-Fold Path of the Buddha. Please know you need not be a "Buddhist" to join us. The practice of Insight Meditation requires no belief or adherence to a particular dogma. People of several faiths participate here at PIMC to enhance their other spiritual traditions.
The Buddha taught Insight Meditation, known in Asia as Vipassana, the practice of seeing things as they truly are. At the heart of Insight Meditation is the practice of mindfulness, the systematic cultivation of the mind and heart. It is the moment-to-moment investigation of the body, feelings, and consciousness through calm, affectionate and focused awareness. Sitting in silence allows us to pay close attention to the workings of the mind so we are less enthralled by our thoughts and emotions.
We, like all human beings, long to be happy. We understand that happiness comes from within and can be cultivated by learning about the mind. Insight Meditation relieves stress, has profound beneficial effects upon the body, promotes healing of psychological and emotional wounds, and nurtures the development of wisdom, compassion and happiness.
The usual format of our Sunday gatherings includes chanting, sitting meditation, walking meditation or guided movement, followed by a talk by Robert Beatty or one of our other teachers.
Our guiding teacher, Robert Beatty is available for individual instruction and consultation. www.robertbeatty.com
Based in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Insight Meditation Community is an experiment in American Buddhism. We welcome people of all faiths, orientations, genders, abilities, ages, and racial/cultural backgrounds. The purpose of PIMC is to improve the lives of participants, their families and the greater community through meditative practice and a lifestyle that supports liberation from suffering, the awakening of wisdom, and the manifestation of compassion.
Rooted in the essential teachings of the Buddha, we are dedicated to awakening beyond the ritualism, sexism, hierarchy and other cultural artifacts that have characterized traditional religion. We value diversity and welcome anyone who is interested in investigating the inner life.
PIMC is a first generation Dharma center with origins in Burma, Thailand and India. Our practice is based upon the Noble Eightfold Path of the Buddha and the teachings that have been passed down through the Theravada lineage for 2500 years. These include a highly articulated map of consciousness and practices for setting oneself free from suffering. You are invited to investigate and see for yourself if this map of awakening is true for you. There is nothing you must believe in order to participate.
You don't need to be, or to become, a "Buddhist" to participate fully in the life of our community. The Buddha taught the Dharma, a way of awakening, understanding, love, compassion and happiness, that transcends cultural forms and dogmatic beliefs.
Robert TeachingWe understand the spiritual journey to be one of awakening in the world rather than escape or transcendence from life. Our intention is to empower people to live with impeccable integrity, the willingness to truly be themselves and the capacity to act powerfully with compassion in the world.
We acknowledge that the Earth and its resources are finite, and that our lives are inseparably interwoven with those of all other beings We seek to understand our lives in the context of the web of life in which we co-exist, and to live respectfully and responsibly with all beings.
Based in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Insight Meditation Community is an experiment in American Buddhism. We welcome people of all faiths, orientations, genders, abilities, ages, and racial/cultural backgrounds. The purpose of PIMC is to improve the lives of participants, their families and the greater community through meditative practice and a lifestyle that supports liberation from suffering, the awakening of wisdom, and the manifestation of compassion.
Rooted in the essential teachings of the Buddha, we are dedicated to awakening beyond the ritualism, sexism, hierarchy and other cultural artifacts that have characterized traditional religion. We value diversity and welcome anyone who is interested in investigating the inner life.
PIMC is a first generation Dharma center with origins in Burma, Thailand and India. Our practice is based upon the Noble Eightfold Path of the Buddha and the teachings that have been passed down through the Theravada lineage for 2500 years. These include a highly articulated map of consciousness and practices for setting oneself free from suffering. You are invited to investigate and see for yourself if this map of awakening is true for you. There is nothing you must believe in order to participate.
You don't need to be, or to become, a "Buddhist" to participate fully in the life of our community. The Buddha taught the Dharma, a way of awakening, understanding, love, compassion and happiness, that transcends cultural forms and dogmatic beliefs.
Robert TeachingWe understand the spiritual journey to be one of awakening in the world rather than escape or transcendence from life. Our intention is to empower people to live with impeccable integrity, the willingness to truly be themselves and the capacity to act powerfully with compassion in the world.
We acknowledge that the Earth and its resources are finite, and that our lives are inseparably interwoven with those of all other beings We seek to understand our lives in the context of the web of life in which we co-exist, and to live respectfully and responsibly with all beings.
All PIMC programs are offered with a "suggested donation." Please pay the amount suggested on the online registration form. If you can, please consider exceeding the amount requested by writing a separate amount in the "Additional Contribution" box, which will help support the participation of those with limited means.
To assure that all people can access our programs, no one is excluded for inability to pay - the online registration process always includes the possibility writing in a scholarship amount.
