Napa Valley Insight Meditation

Meditation & Reflection with Forrest Hill
2025-01-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-12-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-09-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-08-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-30 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
The evening will be led by Forrest Hill. Forrest has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2004 and is a founding member of Napa Valley Insight Meditation. He is a graduate of the the 2 year Community Dharma Leaders Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

MLK Day: Compassion, Peace, and Courageous Action
2025-01-20 09:30 - 22:15 | Justin Siena High School Chapel, 4069 Maher St, NAPA, CA, 94558, United States
NVIM invites you to join us for a special gathering on Martin Luther King Day, entitled “Compassion, Peace and Courageous Action,” featuring Forrest Hill and Kim Hester Williams.
As part of Napa’s MLK Day of Service: Building Bridges Together 2025, this contemplative session offers a space to connect with Dr. King’s vision of beloved community through meditation, dialogue and mindful reflection.
Location: Justin Siena High School Chapel
Date: January 20th
Time: 9:15am to 10:15am
Join us as we explore practices that cultivate compassion and nurture our capacity for peaceful transformation. Together, we’ll honor Dr. King’s legacy by strengthening our individual and collective aspirations for healing and positive change.

BEFRIENDING MORTALITY - AWAKENING TO LIFE THROUGH MINDFULNESS OF DEATH
2025-01-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
CLASS SERIES: BEFRIENDING MORTALITY – AWAKENING TO LIFE THROUGH MINDFULNESS OF DEATH: Join Mike Coughlin at the Unitarian Universalist church in Napa for this immersive and interactive four part, in-person class series that will explore Maranasati practice, translated as Mindfulness of Death. This series will weave together both classic and contemporary approaches to leaning into, and possibly embracing, the essence of life’s impermanence. Each class will be held on select Thursdays in January and February from 7:00 – 8:30pm and will feature periods of meditation, short Dharma reflections, and time for interaction and discussion. If you are called to dig a little deeper into the essence of our human condition, then this series is for you. Although attendance at all four sessions is encouraged it is not mandatory. This series is suitable for both experienced and beginning practitioners and will be offered on a sliding scale of $10 – $20 per class. Class dates: Jan 16th, Jan 23rd, Jan 30th and Feb 6th. To register, simply email Mike at mike@napainsight.org and write, “Please register me for Befriending Mortality.”

Meditation & Reflections with Lori Stelling
2025-01-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-12-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday evening sangha will be led by Lori Stelling. Lori has practiced Insight Meditation since 2002 and serves as a local teacher and Board member for NVIM. She has received mentoring from vipassana teachers since 2007, is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher through UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and has engaged in on-going Buddhist Studies through Aloka Vihara, Sacred Mountain Sangha, Dharmagiri, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and others, for two decades. Lori is a certified life coach, with advanced Enneagram training, offering life coaching for women, and community meditation classes for adults of all ages.
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

Special Guest Fresh "Lev" White
2025-01-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday, NVIM welcomes back Lev to our sangha. Lev is a love and compassion activist. He offers mindfulness, coaching, mediation, and diversity trainings as tools for shifting towards more authentic, conscious and passionate living. He teaches and writes about how love and self-compassion are the ultimate gateways to loving and understanding others; thus, healing our communities, and planet. Lev is also co-author of Real World Mindfulness for Beginners, Ed. with Brenda Salgado and is mindfully grounded at the East Bay Meditation Center, as well as a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leadership program. Learn more about Lev here: https://affirmativeacts.org/about-us/
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

New Year's Eve With Forrest Hill
2024-12-31 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
Come celebrate the New Year’s with Forrest Hill. Forrest has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2004 and is a founding member of Napa Valley Insight Meditation. He is a graduate of the the 2 year Community Dharma Leaders Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK
2024-12-24 - 2024-12-25
NVIM will be closed this Tuesday (1/24) for the holiday season. May you have joy, good health, and peace during this time of reflection and celebration.

Special Guest Teacher Melvin Escobar
2024-12-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday, NVIM warmly welcomes Melvin Escobar to our sangha.
Melvin is a core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, a licensed psychotherapist, and a certified yoga instructor. Melvin has walked the path of service for much of his life, drawing on his experiences as a queer man of color born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.
Having encountered the priceless wisdom embodied in Buddhism and Yoga, he continues daily to learn the revolutionary potential of body-centered contemplative practices for personal and social healing. You can read his latest article in Lion’s Roar Magazine “Loving-Kindness: May All Beings Be Happy,” and visit his website www.melvinescobar.com for more information.
NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance:

Full vaccination (2 COVID shots and at least booster) is strongly recommended.
Social distancing between chairs will be maintained for those who choose.
Masks are OPTIONAL. If you feel comfortable, you do not need to wear a mask. If you are a vulnerable person, or live with a vulnerable person, consider wearing a well-fitting mask during sangha.

Meditation & Reflection with Mike Coughlin
2024-11-26 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-11-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-09-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-08-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday evening sangha will be led by Mike Coughlin. Mike is a public school administrator, trained mediator, and has been practicing mindfulness in the vipassana tradition for over 15 years. He has received training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Mindful Schools and is a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator through the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles. Mike has over 20 years of experience working with high-risk youth, most specifically in residential and day treatment programs, as well as years of mediation experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

Meditation & Reflection with Lori Stelling
2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-22 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-08 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-09-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-08-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559

Special Guest Teacher: Stephanie Noble
2024-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday, NVIM welcomes Stephanie Noble to our sangha. Stephanie is the author of three meditative books, including her most recent book “Invitation to Insight.” She has taught the Marin Insight women’s meditation group since 2004 and serves as a board member of the Buddhist Insight Network. Learn more about Stephanie here: https://stephanienoble.com/about-2/
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

THE FIVE SPIRITUAL FACULTIES a Daylong with MATTHEW BRENSILVER
2024-09-14 09:30 - 16:00 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
The Five Spiritual Faculties provide important insight into how we mature on this dharma path. Faith, energy, mindfulness, samadhi and wisdom. It is instructive to consider how the factors of a Buddhist list fit together. These faculties are both skills that help us walk the path, and the outcome of our development. During this day of practice, we’ll explore the ways that these factors work together to lead us forward on the path of liberation. All levels of experience welcomed.
What to Bring: Please bring a lunch, beverage and appropriate clothing for outside walking meditation.
Ticket Price: $35 – $100 sliding scale.
No one turned away for lack of funds!
Register at Eventbrite by going to the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-daylong-retreat-with-matthew-brensilver-tickets-965332695077

Special Guest Eve Decker
2024-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
Eve has been singing, song writing, and performing since she was 8 years old! In her 20’s she co-founded, played, recorded and toured with the feminist folk trio Rebecca Riots for 15 years. Rebecca Riots was dubbed “Best Band with a Conscience” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Eve has also released two CDs of original, dharma based music, and will release a third in September 2015.
Eve began practicing Vipassana meditation in 1991 and has been a Buddhist teacher since 2006. She am a graduate of UC Berkeley, and the Community Dharma Leader training programs at Spirit Rock Center in California. She has travel throughout California and internationally to teach mindfulness, lovingkindness, compassion and gratitude directly and through music.
COVID Recommendations For Gathering Safely
(recommended by https://covid19.ca.gov “Current Safety Measures”):

If you have recently been exposed to COVID, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID without symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days and wear a mask indoors through day 10.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms, please do not attend sangha for at least 5 full days; and then do not return until your symptoms are mild, improving, and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wear a mask indoors through Day 10.

Special Guest Ayya Santacitta
2024-08-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday NVIM is excited and honored to welcome Ayya Santacitta back to our Sangha to lead us in meditation and Buddhist discussion.
Ayya Santacitta was born in Austria and did her graduate studies in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on dance, theatre and ritual. She also worked in avant-garde dance theatre as a performer and costume designer. In 1988 she met Ajahn Buddhadasa in southern Thailand, who sparked her interest in Buddhist monastic life. She trained as a nun in England and Asia from 1993 until 2009, primarily in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Since 2002, she has also received teachings in the lineage of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Ayya Santacitta co-founded Aloka Vihara in 2009 and received Bhikkhuni Ordination in 2011. She is committed to Gaia as a living being and resides at Aloka Earth Room (https://alokavihara.org/aloka-earth-room/), currently located in San Rafael, CA.
To learn more about Ayya Santacitta go to: https://alokavihara.org/
