Insight Meditation Society: 1976-1996
Somewhat more than twenty years ago, a small group of (mostly) Americans recently back from years in Asia stood looking up at the imposing edifice of a huge Georgian mansion in central Massachusetts offered for sale by a Catholic noviciary called the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrement, whose name was blazoned across the portico. How could the letters be re-arranged? After some discussion of the various options they reached an agreement, and following some precarious activity atop a twenty foot extention ladder the word “Metta” finally shone forth–bolding facing West and catching the full light of the setting sun. It was Valentines Day, 1976.
This symbolic event marked the beginning of the Insight Meditation Society. “What on earth are we doing?” many in the group asked one another. The complex of buildings was far too vast, considerably too expensive, and miles out of the way of anything. For a free-ranging group in the mid-seventies, most of whom were still in their twenties, this represented a massive commitment and was something wholly beyond any of their previous experience. Who would come to an otherwise unheard of village named Barre to spend weeks at a time in total silence practicing something awkward-sounding called vipassana meditation?
As it turns out, people did come to Barre, and they came by the thousands–year after year. Perhaps the town motto had something to do with it: “Tranquil and Alert.” What better description of the meditative mind? But more likely it had more to do with the founding of IMS participating in a much larger drama, the coming of the Dhamma to the West. Buddhism had twenty-five hundred year’s familiarity with sinking roots in new soil, and the Western tradition had about equal experience looking to the East for spiritual inspiration.
One of the greatest strengths of the Insight Meditation Society, and one of the Keyes to its success over the years, has to do with the word “society” in its name. From the beginning it was determined that the center would not be dominated by any one personality or even a single teaching style. Unlike a vihara, a temple, a monastery or some forms of religious community, there was to be no “master,” no “leader,” no guru.
In fact a wide variety of people have taught and continue to teach at IMS. From very traditional Asian monastic teachers to very progressive and eclectic Western lay Dhamma teachers, including the full spectrum of approaches and styles that lies between these poles. The great unifying theme has been vipassana or insight meditation itself–the unswerving focus of the IMS curriculum. But this ancient technique of mindfulness and clear comprehension can be and has been presented in many different ways, each reflecting the background and experience of the wide range of teachers.
As a result, there has been something for everyone in Barre. Some people return year after year to attend the retreat led by the teacher with whom they most connect. Others come for several different retreats, sampling the different contexts, emphases and idiosyncrasies of several different teachers. This approach has also allowed for the development of several “thematic” retreats, such as the annual family retreat, the young adults reatreat and the women’s retreat.
The commitment of the many teachers who have come to Barre over the years has been the life-blood of IMS. Without their sacrifice, their compassion, and their wisdom, IMS as we know it could never exist. At this time of remembering, it is the society of teachers who desrve our deepest gratitude.
A tree does not stand for twenty years without dropping a few acorns or sending forth a few shoots. Although having no formal connection with IMS there are a number of organizations active today that have in one way or another emerged at least in part from the IMS experience:
Dharma Seed Tape Library. The brainchild of IMS staff member Bill Hamilton, who used to record the Dharma talks given in the IMS hall and make copies available to yogis, the tape library is now a seperate non-profit organization preserving and widely distributing the modern oral teaching tradition of contemporary dhamma teachers.
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center. Founded ten years ago by IMS guiding teacher Larry Rosenberg, CIMC actively and creatively serves a flourishing urban sangha in Cambridge, MA. Offering daily talks and sittings and working with the Dhamma in a householder environment, many of CIMC’s members sit retreats often at IMS.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center. After many years dedicated to founding and nurturing IMS in Barre, Jack Kornfield moved to Northern California and has been helping to focus the activities of a flourishing and dynamic sangha around an emerging full-featured dharma center on a beautiful peice of land in Marin County.
The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. In a nicely renovated old farmhouse next door to IMS and on 90 acres of adjoining forest land, the study center has emerged from the IMS mission to help establish and preserve the links between the ancient traditions of Buddhism and the modern application of the teachings to a changing and dynamic world.
