Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center

The Insight Meditation Society (IMS) was founded in 1975 by Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield, and its Retreat Center opened on 14 February 1976 in a former Catholic novitiate, a large red-brick building with white columns, a little over 2 miles north of the town of Barre in central Massachusetts. IMS's two retreat facilities, the Retreat Center and the Forest Refuge (for longer personal retreats by experienced meditators), are set among almost 400 acres of woodland. Barre is about 50 minutes' drive west of Worcester and two hours west of Boston; there is no public transport to the town, and Boston Logan is the most convenient airport. The Retreat Center runs over 30 silent, teacher-led retreats a year, lasting from a weekend to three months, in insight (vipassanā) and lovingkindness (mettā) meditation rooted in Theravada teachings. Most suit new and experienced meditators; some are for particular groups, such as people of colour, women, LGBTIQ practitioners, teenagers and young adults. The day runs from 5:30 am to 10 pm in silence, with sitting and walking meditation, a work period and interviews with teachers. Rooms are simple singles and meals are vegetarian. Fees are on a sliding scale and cover lodging, food and running costs; teachers are supported by dāna offered at the end of each retreat.

How to apply

Choose a retreat on the centre's own website and register there. IMS takes a deposit on registration and offers sliding-scale rates and scholarships.

What is taught here

Insight meditation is the English name for vipassanā, clear attention to the present: how IMS, Spirit Rock and Gaia House teach it, its roots and fees. Read about Insight Meditation (West).