Austin Insight Meditation

About the Sangha

Insight Meditation

Austin Insight Meditation, also known as Mariposa Sangha, is an Insight Meditation community. Known as Vipassana in the Buddhist tradition, our practice is a simple mindfulness technique similar to what has been practiced in Asia for over 2,500 years. It is a spiritual practice shared by all forms of Buddhism, as well as a particular historical Buddhist tradition. “Insight” and “clear seeing” are common translations of the Pali word ‘vipassana'. Developing clear seeing helps people live their lives with growing skillfulness and ease.

Beginning with the focusing of attention on the breath, the practice concentrates and calms the mind. It allows us to see through the mind’s habits and conditioning, helping us to live more fully present in the moment. Vipassana is appropriate for people involved in any spiritual tradition, as well as those who ascribe to none. The program that we offer is appropriate for experienced meditators as well as beginners.

Our style of practice is associated with Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, MA , and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA . Teachers at these centers have deep histories with Buddhist masters from around the world, particularly from the Theravada traditions of Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. They strive to present the teachings accurately in a form accessible to Westerners. There is little ritual involved and our Sangha is respectful, informal and welcoming.

Austin Insight Meditation

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Our goals

We bring together a community of people in Austin and Central Texas who practice insight meditation to support each other in the deepening of Dharma practice in our daily lives. We hope that our practice will promote peace and compassion in the world around us and believe that through the sharing of the Dharma we can free ourselves and others from suffering.

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What we do

We offer weekly meditations, book discussions, beginning meditation instruction and Dharma talks. There are experienced meditators available to provide instruction. We collaborate with other Texas sanghas to offer retreats in Central Texas with visiting teachers from outside of Texas including Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation South Bay. Newcomers are welcome.

We are a Buddhist group whose practices originate in the teachings of Theravada Buddhism. However, one need not identify as a Buddhist to take part in these practices. We include people from any (or no) faith tradition.

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Decision making

Insight Meditation Austin is peer led. We are governed by a council drawn from regular membership and business is conducted on the principle of consensus. We seek the balance of the “middle way” between structure and non-structure as we make organizational decisions.

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Support for Austin Insight Meditation / Mariposa Sangha

Mariposa Sangha is a registered 501c (3) non-profit organization. Activities are funded through the practice of dana, the Pali word for voluntary generosity. No donations are ever required or expected. Visiting teachers are also supported by dana; charges for retreats only cover food, lodging, and teacher transportation. Dana given at weekly meetings pays for the places we meet and is also used for scholarships to help cover retreat costs. You may contribute at the end of any sitting or you may use PayPal.

You can make a one time donation or recurrent monthly donations by visiting our “donate” page.