Nurturing Joy in Troubled Times
Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk, in-person at Florence Civic Center (90 Park St, Florence, MA) and via Zoom
with Manny Mansbach
Wednesday, June 29, 2022; 7:00-8:30pm
Suggested donation: $7-25*
Practice together in-person or via Zoom with other sangha members in a relaxed atmosphere (7:00) and enjoy a dharma talk (7:35). We anticipate that Zoom attendees will be able to post questions in the chat and that the Zoom host will work with the teacher to include them.
IN-PERSON LOCATION: Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St, Florence, MA
See COVID protocols further below.
Chairs available; if you prefer to sit on zabuton/cushion, please bring your own.
Please bring your own covered water bottle.
Please note: giving dana online does not guarantee you a seat at the Florence Civic Center; first come first serve.
The Florence Civic Center room holds 80 people and we are limiting it to 50% capacity to allow for up to 40 people (first come, first serve at the venue) to have 3' of social distance.
- Proof of vaccination required.
- N95/KN95 masks required (please bring your own; we will have a few on-hand)
- If you have been traveling or caring for unvaccinated children or people, we ask that you take an antigen test before attending.
- There are windows we can open to provide fresh air and cross-ventilation.
- IWM has also purchased a Field Control Trio Plus portable air purifier (like they have at IMS; H13 HEPA with an ultraviolet light component).
Manny Mansbach has been practicing and studying Insight Meditation since 1980. He is a graduate both of Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Dedicated Practitioner Program and its Community Dharma Leader Program, and is the former Director of the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy in San Francisco. In recent years, Manny has spent many months in silent meditation retreats, and has practiced and been on pilgrimage in India, Tibet, Nepal, Burma and Thailand. In addition to studying with revered western Insight Meditation teachers, he has also been influenced by Dzogchen and the teachings of Adyashanti. Manny is committed to helping people remember and express their basic goodness, and to gain confidence in the beauty and power of the Buddha’s teachings of profound understanding and boundless kindness. One of his greatest interests is applying the Buddha’s Middle Way to the area of communication, integrating the core skill of nonviolent assertion and learning to speak from wisdom and with kindness. For Manny's website visit mannymansbach.com.
As you can see in the photos to the left, the Florence Civic Center has a wonderful wrap-around porch that will enable sangha members to visit with one another out-of-doors before/after (space is ours from 6pm-9pm).
*If you have the means, please consider a donation tonight. We operate entirely on the sangha's acts of generosity. Your donation will help us meet the minimum payment for the teacher and provide some support to the ongoing operations of the sangha as well. Everyone is welcome at all of our events, regardless of ability to donate. Therefore, those who donate more are helping to make the center accessible to all.
A note about dana for Wednesday night Dharma talks: Our teachers receive 60% of the dana given for Wednesday night Dharma talks, as they traditionally have. That said, since the pandemic, dana given for Dharma talks has decreased. As a result, IWM now provides teachers with a minimum guaranteed amount. If you wish to give additional dana solely to the teacher for this Dharma talk, there will be an opportunity later in the process below.
You can give online or send checks to Insight Western Mass, 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 242, Easthampton, MA 01027. FYI: we check for mail once per week.
Zoom Link
Password: 242.
Dial in by phone for audio only: Call (646) 558-8656. Meeting ID: 943 156 1684. Password: 242
