Edmonton Insight Meditation
Our Story
Sangha (community) along with the Buddha and the Dharma, is one of the three jewels that is invoked in refuge vows. Taking refuge in Sangha is described as an essential, active practice that heals and transforms the self and society. The next Buddha may emerge not as an awakened individual, but as an awakened Sangha with the capacity to respond to the suffering of our planet.
Connecting to the Roots of Insight Meditation
Edmonton Insight Meditation is primarily dedicated to the study and practice of Vipassana, (moment-to-moment mindful awareness) as well as to Metta (loving-kindness practice). Rooted in the Theravada Buddhist traditions of South and Southeast Asia, Insight Meditation was introduced to Western audiences through the teachings of respected Asian monastics such as Mahasi Sayadaw, Ajahn Chah, and Anagarika Munindra.
Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield and Sharon Saltzberg were among western students who encountered Vipassana in Asia. In 1975, they co-founded the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts. Drawing from their own experiences as students of Asian masters, they worked to make the teachings accessible to Western audiences, integrating insights from contemporary psychology and culture while seeking to preserve the depth of the Dharma. Through their books, retreats, and talks, they have played a significant role in sustaining and expanding access to Insight Meditation (IM) across North America and abroad. They built two large sister meditation centres: the Insight Meditation Society in Barre and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. Teachers trained at these centres continue to found Insight communities throughout the U.S., Canada, and abroad. Many renowned Asian Buddhist masters have been hosted by IMS communities, continuing the deep and ongoing connection with the teachings’ Asian roots.
Planting the Seeds of Practice in Edmonton
Before Edmonton Insight Meditation came into being, the city was home to various Buddhist communities which included Tibetan, Burmese, Vietnamese and Zen traditions. Organizations like Light of the Dhamma, Happy Hearts, Edmonton Vipassana and others, offered practice opportunities and occasionally retreats. The dedication of these early communities helped introduce the Dharma to Edmonton, sowing the seeds of community rooted in service and generosity. Those early and subsequent successes demonstrate Edmonton can reliably support practitioners, host senior teachers and create conditions for Sangha to thrive.
EIM Comes to Edmonton
Until 2019 there was no local IM organization that offered ongoing sits and regular retreats. Practitioners who wished to deepen their Insight practice sometimes travelled to the States or to Canadian centres elsewhere, which was expensive, time consuming and a barrier for many.
Calgary, however, had a local centre and in 2017, members of the Calgary Insight Meditation Society and Olenka Melnyk from Edmonton approached Heather Martin to develop a Deepening Practice Program (DPP). Heather was the guiding teacher of the Salt Spring BC Insight Meditation Community who regularly led retreats in various Western Canadian and US locations. Olenka stepped forward to shape programming with Heather and Calgary IMS members, and to provide leadership for the Edmonton group.
The first Alberta DPP was launched at the beginning of September 2017 and ran until July 2019. Eleven Edmonton and twenty Calgary students participated. The rigorous curriculum focussed on the four foundations of mindfulness, Metta practice and engaged Buddhism. Edmonton participants gelled into a group with a shared desire for a more permanent, ongoing local program.
Moving Forward
On January 19, 2019 former DPP participants met to explore building Sangha. While organizing from scratch posed challenges, it also allowed greater freedom to create a meditation community that met Edmonton priorities and needs. The steering committee, now a cohesive group with a solid grounding in core Buddhist teachings, agreed to hold ‘mini’ or half-day Saturday retreats once a month. A program focused on foundational teachings was formulated and operationalized. Heather, with her warmth, humor, and down to earth teaching approach, served as the Sangha’s guiding teacher. She provided organizational advice and support, offered monthly teachings and regularly led retreats. In the middle of its first year, the fledgling Sangha faced the same challenges experienced everywhere when COVID lockdown made face to face meetings impossible. The organization quickly pivoted to offer Zoom sessions and since that time continues to support practitioners through a hybrid format. In addition to ongoing meditation opportunities, spring and fall retreats were and continue to be consistently offered. Organized and supported by volunteers they are accessible to all through the practice of Dana, typically followed by IM centres.
Growing
For various reasons, including financial accountability and liability, it became evident that a more formal structure was needed. On January 14, 2021, EIM incorporated as a non-profit organization. Incorporation documents were signed by founding members who then served as the initial council. Careful thought was given to the development of this new organization. For example, to facilitate inclusivity with structure, process and decision-making, the council adopted a non-hierarchical consensus model.
Since Heather’s retirement EIM has engaged insight teachers for some Saturday Sits (mostly via Zoom) and retreats. Kristina Baré, who offers a kind, patient embodied approach, returns regularly to offer Saturday teachings and to lead retreats.
Based on the success of Howard Cohn retreats first brought to Edmonton in 2008 by Christopher Peel and Edmonton Vispanna, Howard, a founding Spirit Rock teacher, has continued to lead annual retreats (first with Edmonton Vipassana and currently with EIM). Not only is Howard a highly respected North American teacher but also a gentle and inclusive guide whose teachings are grounded in accessibility, compassion, and personal realization.
Over time, members of various early and current Edmonton Buddhist groups, began to practise with, and support the Edmonton Insight Meditation Sangha and council. Their participation enriches the community and weaves their energies into a wider collective effort offering the timeless refuge of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha to all.