Open Community Practice and Dharma Talk

with Aishah Shahidah Simmons

Wednesday October 23 2024, 7:00-8:30pm

Suggested donation: $7-25*

via Zoom

Practice together with other sangha members in a relaxed atmosphere (7:00) and enjoy a dharma talk (7:35).

Aishah Shahidah Simmons (she/her) is a Black feminist lesbian survivor-healer, Theravadin Buddhist, and trauma-informed, certified Mindfulness meditation teacher. She's been studying and practicing vipassana meditation since 2002 and has more than one year of cumulative silent retreat practice in the United States and India. Her primary dharma teachers are Tuere Sala and DaRa Williams.  Previously, Aishah practiced vipassana meditation exclusively in the S.N. Goenka tradition for 17 years. She also studied in the Vajrayana lineage with Dr. Shanté Paradigm Smalls for two years. Aishah is also an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, author, and lecturer whose award-winning work, "NO! The Rape Documentary" and "love WITH accountability" (AK Press, 2019) break silences around childhood and adult sexual violence, offer healing paths for trauma and provide distinct visions for humanely disrupting the inhumane epidemic of sexual violence. Since June 1995, Aishah has screened her work, guest lectured, and facilitated over 400 workshops and dialogues across the North American continent and in several countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Learn more about Aishah at https://linktr.ee/afrolez  

*If you have the means, please consider a donation tonight. Dana, which is the ancient Pali word for “generosity”, is a fundamental aspect of the Buddha’s teachings. Our teachers have historically received 60% of the dana given for dharma talks, and while this is still true, since the pandemic, we do make sure teachers receive a minimum guaranteed amount. Insight Western Mass operates entirely on the sangha's acts of generosity. Those who donate more are helping to make the center accessible to all. Everyone is welcome to all of our offerings regardless of ability to donate.

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