Napa Valley Insight Meditation

Special Guest Fresh “Lev” White
2023-06-27 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday, NVIM warmly welcomes Lev back 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/

Meditation & Reflection with Lori Stelliing
2023-07-04 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.
NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance:

Full vaccination 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
2023-07-11 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-11-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-12-12 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.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance:

Full vaccination 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.

An Evening With Special Guest Fresh “Lev” White
2023-07-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559

Meditation & Reflection with Forrest Hill
2023-07-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday evening will be led by Forrest Hill. Forrest Hill 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.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance:

Full vaccination 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.

An Evening with Speical Guest Syra Smith
2023-08-01 19:30 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday, NVIM warmly welcomes Syra Smith back to our sangha.
Syra Smith is an artist, organizer and mindfulness educator interested in deep ecology and manifesting a culture where we can turn toward fearless abundance and generosity. Presently, she co-leads the Mid-Day Dharma Collective at SF Insight (Mondays at noon!) and proudly serves as Core Teacher with the San Francisco LGBT Sangha. Also a Community Teacher for East Bay Meditation Center and Founder of Oakland’s Dana Cafe, Syra teaches Insight Meditation and mindfulness throughout the SF Bay Area and beyond. Learn more about Syra here: http://projectroot.org/syra-smith-meditation.html

An Outdoor SanghaFest Evening with Mike Coughlin
2023-08-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
SANGHAFEST – NVIM is Outdoors & on the Patio!
Tuesday evening sangha will be moving to the outdoor patio at the Unitarian Universalist church, August 8th through 29th, providing our NVIM community with an opportunity to re-connect with the natural world around us.
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.
NVIM is now meeting at the NVUU in-person only on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Our Thursday Morning Meditation will continue to be offered on Zoom to support our valued on-line community.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

Please become a member of NVIM on MeetUp or “sign up” for our newsletter on our website at: www.napainsight.org

An Outdoor SanghaFest Evening with Debbie Darrin and Edward Tcheleshev
2023-08-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
SANGHAFEST – NVIM is Outdoors & on the Patio!
Tuesday evening sangha will be moving to the outdoor patio at the Unitarian Universalist church, August 8th through 29th, providing our NVIM community with an opportunity to re-connect with the natural world around us.
This Tuesday Evening will be led by Debbie Darrin, with a pre-meditation gentle yoga practice led by Edward Tcheleshev. Debbie has explored various aspects of mindfulness and meditation since the early 1980’s. The teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh originally drew Debbie into the journey of practical, embodied, and heartfelt meditation and mindfulness practice. In 2014 she began attending Napa Valley Insight Meditation sangha and became an active member on the NVIM board in 2017. Debbie regularly attends residential and non-residential insight meditation retreats, continuing to cultivate her personal practice and to grow her teaching experience. In 2021 she graduated from the 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program developed and offered by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Debbie facilitates a variety of weekly mindfulness talks and meditations as well as offering daylong retreats. She has co led residential retreats of Dharma & Recovery with Kevin Griffin. She believes that the heart practices of lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity play a significant role in balancing, healing and navigating a complex
NVIM is now meeting at the NVUU in-person only on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Thursday Morning Meditation will continue to be offered online.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

Please become a member of NVIM on MeetUp or “sign up” for our newsletter on our website at: www.napainsight.org

An Outdoor SanghaFest Evening with Forrest Hill
2023-08-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
SANGHAFEST – NVIM is Outdoors & on the Patio!
Tuesday evening sangha will be moving to the outdoor patio at the Unitarian Universalist church, August 8th through 29th, providing our NVIM community with an opportunity to re-connect with the natural world around us.
This Tuesday evening will be led by Forrest Hill. Forrest Hill 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.
NVIM is now meeting at the NVUU in-person only on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Our Thursday Morning Meditation will continue to be offered on Zoom to support our valued on-line community.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

Please become a member of NVIM on MeetUp or “sign up” for our newsletter on our website at: www.napainsight.org

An Outdoor SanghaFest Evening with Lori Stelling
2023-08-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
SANGHAFEST – NVIM is Outdoors & on the Patio!
Tuesday evening sangha will be moving to the outdoor patio at the Unitarian Universalist church, August 8th through 29th, providing our NVIM community with an opportunity to re-connect with the natural world around us.
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.
NVIM is now meeting at the NVUU in-person only on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Thursday Morning Meditation will continue to be offered online.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

Please become a member of NVIM on MeetUp or “sign up” for our newsletter on our

Outdoor SUNSET SANGHA w/Special Guest Fresh “Lev” White
2023-09-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
SUNSET SANGHAFEST – Continuing the Outdoors experience
Tuesday evening sangha will contiune on the outdoor patio at the Unitarian Universalist church providing our NVIM community with an opportunity to re-connect with the natural world around us.
This Tuesday, NVIM warmly welcomes Lev back 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/
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

Outdoor SUNSET SANGHA w/Lori Stelling
2023-09-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
SUNSET SANGHAFEST – Continuing the Outdoors experience
Tuesday evening sangha will contiune on the outdoor patio at the Unitarian Universalist church providing our NVIM community with an opportunity to re-connect with the natural world around us.
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.
NVIM is now meeting at the NVUU in-person only on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Thursday Morning Meditation will continue to be offered online.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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 and Reflection with Mike Coughlin
2023-09-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-10-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559

Meditation & Reflection with Forrest Hill
2023-09-26 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday evening we will meet again in the NVUU sancturay. 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.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance:

Full vaccination 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.

An Evening with Kevin Griffin
2023-10-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday we warmly welcome Kevin Griffin back to NVIM. Kevin is an author, longtime Buddhist practitioner who trained as a Community Dharma Leader at Spirit Rock, and innovator in the field of addiction treatment. His newest book is Buddhism & the Twelve Steps: Daily Reflections – Thoughts on Dharma and Recovery. Learn more about Kevin and his books here: https://www.kevingriffin.net/
NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

A Daylong Retreat with Dharma Teacher Victoria Cary
2023-10-14 09:30 - 15:00 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
Daylong meditation retreats offer an important opportunity to “retreat” from one’s daily life in order to cultivate greater mindfulness, insight, and an open heart. Dharma talks and instructions will be offered by dharma teacher Victoria Cary throughout the day, as well as time for Q and A. The day includes periods of sitting meditation alternating with walking meditation, and some time for connecting with others during lunch and breaks.
What to Expect: There will be periods of silent meditation, discussion, walking meditation, and dharma talks throughout the day.
What to Bring: Please bring a lunch, beverage and appropriate clothing for outside walking meditation.
Registration fee: $25
All levels of experience welcomed!
Register at Eventbite: https://bit.ly/VictoriaCary
Or by contacting Barbara Dondero at barbdondero@gmail.com
Dana (donations) will be also accepted for the teacher on the day of the retreat.

Special Guest Fresh "Lev" White
2023-10-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This Tuesday, NVIM warmly welcomes Lev back 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/
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance (updated 10/1/22):

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.

Special Musical Evening with Eve Decker
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
This evening, Napa Valley Insight Meditation welcomes back Musician and Meditation Teacher Eve Decker to our sangha.
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.

Meditation & Reflection with Lori Stelling
2023-10-31 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-11-28 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-01-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559

THANKSGIVING BREAK
2023-11-21 - 2023-11-22 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
We will not meet this week in observnce of the Thanskgiving Holdiday.
Thanksgiving is a once-a-year gratitude practice. Perhaps use this time to take stock of the good – not to be polly-annish and pretend that the bad stuff isn’t happening or isn’t real – but to get some balance, to correct for negativity bias and to connect to what’s meaningful in our lives.

Special Guest Ayya Santacitta
2023-12-05 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/

Meditation & Reflection with Forrest Hill
2023-12-19 19:00 - 20:30 | 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.
New NVIM COVID Guidelines for Attendance:

Full vaccination 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.

WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK
2023-12-26 - 2023-12-27
NVIM will be closed this Tuesday (1/26) and next Tuesday (1/2) for the holiday season. May you have joy, good health, and peace during this time of reflection and celebration.

WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK
2024-01-02 - 2024-01-03
NVIM will be closed this Tuesday for the New Years celebration. May you find joy, good health, and peace during this time of reflection.
