Vipassana, or mindfulness meditation, was first taught by the Buddha 2,500 years ago. In this style of meditation, widespread today in Southeast Asia and increasingly popular in the West, one learns to watch what arises without judgment or reaction. In so doing, the mind can become clear and steady, and we begin to see things as they really are, without the distortion of our hopes, fears and confusion. Some apply mindfulness to reduce stress and control pain, and many find the practice a help with daily life, but the Buddha's purpose was clear: this way of seeing leads to freedom from suffering.

We gather on Wednesdays, and welcome others ... the merely curious, the earnest beginner, the dedicated practitioner ... to join us. We generally begin with 30 minutes of silent meditation with enough guidance to introduce visitors to the basics. Afterwards we hear a dhamma talk from a visiting teacher (most, but not all of whom, are primarily grounded in the Theravada tradition of Buddhist practice). There is usually time for Q&A at the end of the evening, or for another short sitting. There is no charge for the teachings, but we welcome donations to support the teachers and our hosts at the hostel.

Teachers and Topics -- Sometimes we know the topic of a dhamma talk ... such as when we have arranged a series of talks on a specific topic ... but often a visiting teacher will talk on whatever is foremost in their life and practice at the moment.

Our Coastside Vipassana Dhamma Talk Archive: click here

Dhamma Service Day at the Lighthouse Photos: click here

• May 23rd, 7 pm: Misha Merrill

NOTE: The lighthouse is not available. We will meet at Mike and Martha's home at 210 Weinke Way in Moss Beach: map and directions

Misha Merrill was ordained a Zen priest in 1988 by Les Kaye Roshi in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi of the San Francisco Zen Center. She received Dharma Transmission from him in 1998 and has been leading a meditation group in Redwood City since 1993. She also teaches young children at the Peninsula School of Menlo Park. She lives in the hills above Stanford with her husband and joyfully cultivates a large garden.

• May 30th, 7 pm: Misha Merrill
• June 6th, 7 pm: to be announced
• June 13th, 7 pm: Andrea Fella

Andrea Fella has been practicing Insight Meditation since 1996, and, under Gil Fronsdal’s guidance, began teaching meditation classes in 2003. She is particularly drawn to intensive retreat practice, and has done a number of long retreats, both in the United States and in Burma. During one long practice period in Burma, she ordained as a nun with Sayadaw U Janaka. Andrea is especially drawn to the wisdom teachings of the Buddha. Her teachings emphasize clarity and practicality. Andrea is a member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, and teaches residential retreats for IMC and other retreat centers around the country.

• June 20th, 7 pm: Julie Forbes

Julie began practicing meditation in 1985, focusing specifically on Vipassana as a student of Gil Fronsdal in 1993. She has completed professional training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. and through the Stress Reduction Clinic at El Camino Hospital. Julie has been teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs since 1997 to corporate and community organizations, groups and individuals. Currently, she is teaching at locations including El Camino Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, and Palo Alto Medical Foundation. She leads a weekly sitting group that meets at Avenidas Senior Center in Palo Alto. Julie has worked in the computer industry since 1982 and received a doctorate in psychology in 1999.

• June 27th, 7 pm: Daniel Bowling

Daniel Bowling is a mediator and mediation trainer for the US District Court for Northern California. He co-edited/co-authored Bringing Peace into the Room -- the first book on mediation to focus on the importance for resolving conflict of the mediator's personal qualities. He helped start mediation in South Carolina, where he practiced law after graduating from Harvard Law School. He has practiced meditation since 1976 and participated in Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leaders Training. He currently is a member of the Spirit Rock Board of Directors.

	Lighthouse, fog-signal building and Montara Mountain in the distance.

Pt. Montara Lighthouse Hostel is located on Highway 1 at 16th Street in Montara. We meet in the Fog Signal building next to the lighthouse. (The building is heated by a wood fire, but can still be a bit chilly on cold, foggy days; dress appropriately. The floor is carpeted, but you might want a pad or folded blanket if you plan to sit on a cushion. There are also plenty of chairs available.)

Please see these directions for getting here safely!

The hostel is run by a non-profit organization with the intent of "helping all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hosteling." Guests of all ages stay at Pt. Montara and at hostels world-wide. We are grateful to the hostel staff for their support.

This page is usually updated at the end of the month.