Mindfulness meditation at the water's edge.
Mindfulness meditation at the water's edge
Pt. Montara Hostel, Montara, CA 94037
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm
(by donation)
Getting Here Safely
North-bound drivers take note!
Map & directions...

Where to Park
Please help our hosts at the hostel by parking only in designated areas.

Basic Meditation
Instructions:
You can download notes from Andrea's five-week introductory course, either week by week ...
Mindfulness of the Breath
Mindfulness of the Body
Mindfulness of Emotions
Mindfulness of Thoughts
Mindfulness in Daily Life
or all in one document ...
Introduction to Vipassana
All files are in PDF format.

Listen Online:
You can also download or listen to basic meditation instructions at AudioDharma.

Keep in Touch:
If you have questions about Coastside Vipassana or want to keep informed of future events, just ask to be included in our email list.

Links:
There are more resources about the Buddha's teaching and Vipassana at ..
Access To Insight
Coastside Vipassana Dharma Talk Archive

About Us:
Coastside Vipassana is informally associated with the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City.

Many of our speakers teach and practice there and are dedicated practitioners of insight meditation in the traditions coming out of Burma and Thailand. We also host members of the ordained sangha, and occasionally teachers from other lineages.

The Buddha, First Teacher of Mindfulness 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.

    New! Coastside Vipassana Dharma Talk Archive: click here
    March 2010
  • March 3rd : Jim Bronson (see notes from talk)
  • March 10th : Jennifer Block (1 of 3)
  • March 17th : Jennifer Block (2 of 3)
  • March 24th : Jennifer Block (3 of 3)
  • March 31st : to be announced
  • April 2010
  • April 7th - 28th: Robert Cusik (a 4 part series)
This page is usually updated at the end of each month.

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

Pt. Montara 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.