(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Stories and humor from beloved teacher Ajahn Brahm.

Dharma Seed: dharma talks and meditation instruction

Devon Hase: Stories from Ajahn Brahm

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Guided meditation on gladdening the mind and seeing the good.

Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge: dharma talks and meditation instruction

Devon Hase: This Precious Human Birth

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Short reflection and poem on how to recognize dukkha and its capacity to grow trust in the moment.

Devon Hase: Guided Reflection on Dukkha and Faith

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The Buddha's Upanisā Sutta offers one of his most quietly radical teachings: that liberation doesn't begin with getting comfortable, but with honestly meeting what hurts. Drawing on this "proximate cause" discourse from SN 12.23, this talk traces the transcendent sequence of dependent origination — from dukkha through faith, joy, tranquility, and insight, all the way to freedom. We'll explore what it means to stop treating difficulty as an obstacle to practice and start recognizing it as the practice's first gate — on the cushion, in daily life, and in our closest relationships.

Devon Hase: The Chain That Liberates: A Talk on Transcendent Dependent Origination

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Four Great Efforts: Connecting with emotions in an onward leading way.

Rebecca Bradshaw: Morning Reflection

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

Rebecca Bradshaw: The Embodied Heart

Devon Hase: Storytelling

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Guided practice for directly experiencing the four elements in the body, followed by reading of Mary Oliver's "Humpbacks."

Devon Hase: Guided Meditation of the Elements in the Body

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The Buddha's contemplation of the four elements — earth, water, fire, and air — offers a gentle but radical path: from the conceit of "my body" to the felt sense of being nature itself. A guided exploration of elemental awareness, grounded in retreat experience, Satipatthana practice, and the luminous body-wisdom of beloved poets.

Devon Hase: This Body, These Elements: Coming Home to What We Are

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Deep Welcome, Reflections on Retreat and Metta Practice

Devon Hase: Opening the Retreat

Buddhism

Religion & Spirituality

IMS’s Forest Refuge has  hosted experienced meditators since 2003. Its program is specifically designed to encourage sustained, longer-term retreat practice – a key component in the transmission of Buddhism from Asia to the West. Within a harmonious and secluded environment, meditators can nurture the highest aspiration for liberation. In consultation with visiting insight meditation teachers, a program of training in one or more Early Buddhist practices is created for each participant, allowing the continuing unfolding of deeper levels of wisdom and compassion. A personal retreat here strengthens practice, faith, confidence and self-reliance.