THE FOUR REFLECTIONS - A DEEP DIVE INTO THE HEART OF THE DHARMA
2024-02-08 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA, 94559
Join Mike Coughlin at the Unitarian Universalist church in Napa for this four part, in-person class series that will explore The Four Reflections that turn our hearts and minds toward the Dharma: The Preciousness of Our Human Life, Impermanence and Death, The Law of Karma, and Relinquishing the Cycles of Our Suffering.
Each class will be held on select Thursdays in January and February from 7:00 – 8:30pm and will feature periods of meditation, a short Dharma talk, 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 18th, Jan 25th, Feb 1st and Feb 8th. Register at info@napainsight.org.

Special Guest Fresh "Lev" White
2024-02-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-16 19:00 - 20:30
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.

Meditation & Reflection with Lori Stelling
2024-02-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-03-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-23 19:00 - 20:00
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.

Meditation & Reflection with Forrest Hill
2024-02-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-03-26 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-04-30 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-28 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-04 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-25 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-30 19:00 - 20:30
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.

An Evening With Special Guest Eve Decker
2024-03-05 19:00 - 20:30
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.

Meditation & Reflection with Mike Coughlin
2024-03-12 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-04-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-02 19:00 - 20:30
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 Debbie Darrin
2024-04-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-09 19:00 - 20:30
This Tuesday evenings sangha will be led by Debbie Darrin. Debbie has explored various aspects of mindfulness and meditation since the early 1980’s. 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
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
2024-04-09 19:00 - 20:30
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.

Mediation & Reflection with Lori Stelling
2024-04-23 19:00 - 20:30

An Evening with Special Guest Syra Smith
2024-05-14 19:00 - 20:30
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
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.

The Heart Of Buddhist Meditation with Mike Coughlin
2024-05-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-30 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-06 19:00 - 20:30
THE HEART OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION – THE ART AND SKILL OF MINDFUL AWARENESS, INSIGHT & COMPASSION
Join Mike Coughlin Thursdays in May and June, from 7:00 – 8:30pm, for a four part, in-person class series that will explore The Heart of Buddhist Meditation. This series will delve into the art and craft of meditation – how to do it! – along with how the practice resonates and reverberates throughout the entire spectrum of our lives. The intention of this four week journey is to explore and experience various forms of Buddhist meditation as a means of turning our hearts and minds towards the Dharma with the intention of creating greater ease, clarity, and well being in our lives and in our world. This special series will feature periods of meditation, short Dharma reflections, and time for interaction and discussion. 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: May 16th, May 23rd, May 30th and June 6th. To register reach out to Mike at mike@napainsight.org.

Special Guest Teacher Melvin Escobar
2024-06-11 19:00 - 20:30
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.
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.
