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.

• July 1st: Jim Podolske — Jim Podolske is a scientist who has been a Vipassana student of Gil Fronsdal since 1998. He serves the Insight Meditation Center sangha both as a volunteer and introductory meditation instructor, and is a former IMC board member. He has sat Vipassana, Samadhi, and Brahmavihara retreats.
• July 8th : Jim Bronson — 'Only One Breath' Jim volunteers much of his time as a counselor to the dying and berieved with Kara where he is the Director of Community Outreach and Education. He began working with the inner life and spiritual traditions as a student of Krishnamurti through a meditation course in 1968. After years of reflective meditation and Krishnamurti's "pathless" approach, Jim's concentration on Vipassana Meditation practice began in 1990.
• July 15th: Susan Ezequelle — 'The Four Foundations of Mindfulness - Part 1"
  Susan Janus Ezequelle has been practicing Insight Meditation since 1997. A student of Gil Fronsdal, she worked closely with Gil and other community members to found the Insight Meditation Center, where she teaches meditation classes and yoga.
• July 22th: Susan Ezequelle — 'The Four Foundations of Mindfulness - Part 2 "
  (see biography above)
• July 29th: Susan Ezequelle — 'The Four Foundations of Mindfulness - Part 3 "
  (see biography above)

• August 5th: Robert Cusik — Robert has been practising Buddhist meditation since 1997. He is a student of Gil Fronsdal and was trained as a Buddhist monk at Pa Auk Forest Monastery in Burma. He also trained in the Soto Zen tradition at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in 2001. He has worked with Hameed Ali in the Diamond Approach (Diamond Heart Six) and is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher. Robert participated in the 2nd Buddhist Chaplaincy training offered through the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies and completed the first Dedicated Practitioners Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in 2003. He subsequently served there in the role of Retreats Program Manager. 
• August 12th: Robert Cusik (see biography above)
• August 19th: Robert Cusik (see biography above)
• August 26th: Robert Cusik (see biography above)

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

Pt. Montara Hostel is located on Highway 1 at 16th Street in Montara. We'll 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.