The group practice of Insight Dialogue is straightforward and accessible: a practice group may be formed anywhere. Insight Dialogue groups might meet once a week; some meet every other week.
The Insight Dialogue practice group is more of a meditation group than a ‘class’ with a teacher and students. Groups are offered on the basis of dana—generosity—and generally occur in people’s homes. These groups offer practice opportunities between retreats, and may serve as an entry portal for those who haven’t yet experienced Insight Dialogue and an Insight Dialogue retreat.
Local practice groups connect us and can deepen our understanding that participants are all part of a community dedicated to a path of wisdom and compassion. Group practice also reflects the Insight Dialogue principle of integrating this path with our interpersonal lives. It can remind us that we awaken together.
Europe
Bristol, England
Location: Fulcrum House, 3 Grove Road, Bristol, BS6 6UJ
Meeting: 8-10 week terms, on a Wednesday evening from 7-9pm. We also have Insight Dialogue days 3 or 4 times a year.
We make a donation to cover costs of renting the room and to contribute to Metta. The group is usually facilitated by Jane Cutler or Jane Whitehead, who have attended retreats with Gregory Kramer over the last 3 years. Other members who have attended a retreat with Gregory Kramer may also facilitate the group.
Contact: Jane Cutler on 0117 9632505 or email bristolzencentre@gmail.com and there is further information on our website www.bristolzen.org
Freiburg, Germany
Contact: Birgit Genz at einsichtsdialog-freiburg@posteo.de
London, England
Location: North London
This group is currently a facilitators group who plans to roll out groups to the general public, offering one-day practice sessions with a view to offering eight-week block sessions.
Contact: The London ID group at IDgrouplondon@gmail.com
Milano, Italy
Location: Associazione Italiana Mindfulness c/o NOUS, via Piranesi 14, 20137 Milano www.mindfulnessitalia.it
Meeting: 8-10:30pm; autumn 2012 dates are yet to be defined
Contact: aim@fastwebnet.it
Tampere, Finland
Location: Private home in Tampere, Finland
Basic prerequisites: Group is open to welcoming a few new members with an established mindfulness practice, who have read, or are reading, Gregory Kramer’s book Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom.
Meetings: Group meets once a month
Contact: Suvi Laukkanen at laukkaset@kolumbus.fi
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Location: Dhammadipa Centrum, St.Pieterspoortsteeg 29-1,1012 HM Amsterdam.
Meetings: Weekly; Friday evening from 19.30 – 21.30 pm; silent sit, contemplation and Insight Dialogue Practice, group reflections, metta. The group is usually facilitated by Aine Howard, who has attended retreats with Gregory Kramer over the last 6 years. Other members who have attended an ID retreat may also facilitate the group.
Basic Prerequisites: Anyone with a Buddhist or contemplative meditation practice is welcome. Familiarity with Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom by Gregory Kramer, sound understanding of Insight Dialogue with experience from local workshop or courses or attendance at teacher-led retreat. New membership follows consultation with an existing member.
Contact: Aine Howard at 031 647097388 or Insightdialogueams@gmail.com, and there is further information on our website www.dhammadipa.nl.
Den Bosch, Netherlands
Location: variable
Meetings: once a month two hours in the evening; the group is facilitated by Inez Roelofs, who has attended several retreats with Gregory Kramer.
Basic Prerequisites: familiarity with Insight Dialogue and/or Vipassana.
Contact: insightdialoguedb@gmail.com
Groningen, Netherlands
Location: Vipassana Meditation Centre Groningen
Meetings: monthly, two hours. The group is usually facilitated by Marieke Duijvestijn, who has attended several retreats with Gregory Kramer.
Basic Prerequisites: practice experience with Insight Dialogue (retreat or online)
Contact: insightdialoguegroningen@gmail.com
Leiden, Netherlands
Location: variable
Meetings: once a month two hours. The group is facilitated by Nynke Humalda, who has attended several retreats with Gregory Kramer.
Basic Prerequisites: familiarity with Insight Dialogue or Vipassana.
Contact: insightdialogueleiden@gmail.com
Nijmegen, Netherlands
Location: variable
Meetings: every fortnight; frequency, day, time and format of our meetings may change because of growing numbers. Facilitation is shared.
Basic Prerequisites: familiarity with Insight Dialogue guidelines and attendance of one teacher-led Insight Dialogue retreat or course. Please contact us if you are interested in joining but do not meet prerequisites.
Contact: Jeroen Clemens at 0031-(0)650603808 or idnijmegen@gmail.com
Utrecht, Netherlands
Location: variable
Meetings: once a month two hours in the evening; everyone in the group has attended an ID retreat. Facilitation is shared.
Basic Prerequisites: familiarity with Insight Dialogue.
Contact: insightdialogueutrecht@gmail.com
North America
Greater Chicago Area, Illinois
Contact: Holly Nelson-Johnson at hnjohnson@icloud.com
Missoula, Montana
Meeting: Group has been meeting together for several years, and is open to welcoming a few new members with an established mindfulness practice, who have read, or are reading, Gregory Kramer’s book Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom.
Contact: Susie Clarion at sushiclarion@yahoo.com or 406-552-7919
New York, New York
Location: Manhattan
Meeting: 10:00 AM – Noon Every Other Friday. Facilitation is shared; new members are welcome.
Basic prerequisites: Familiarity with Insight Dialogue or Interpersonal Mindfulness concepts and practice; commitment to deepening and strengthening your practice in a caring and dedicated community.
Contact: Martin Kaminer at martin.kaminer@gmail.com
Orcas Island, Washington
Meeting: Biweekly every other Sunday afternoon/evening; 4:30-5pm self-directed body stretching/yoga session, 5-5:30pm silent sit, and 5:30-7:00pm Insight Dialogue practice
Basic prerequisites: read Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom by Gregory Kramer, attendance of at least one teacher-led Insight Dialogue retreat, daily meditation practice, and approval of existing group members to avoid conflicts such as pre-existing therapeutic relationships.
Hosted by: Everyone’s Village
Contact: David & Rebekah Selwyn at david@everyonesvillage.org
Seattle, Washington
Location: Rainier Valley of Seattle with easy access from I-5 and I-90
Meeting: the second Sunday of every month; 6:30-7pm silent sit, 7-8:30pm contemplation and Insight Dialogue practice, closing with group reflections
Basic prerequisites: attendance of at least one teacher-led Insight Dialogue retreat, willingness to participate in facilitating because our group is leaderless and co-facilitated each month by volunteers from within the group.
Contact: Cynthia Westby at cynthia@cynthiawestby.com
Vancouver, British Columbia
Location: a private home near Burrard and 8th Ave. W.
Meeting: the first Tuesday of each month; 7-9:30pm
Basic prerequisites: familiarity with basic Insight Dialogue guidelines and attendance of at least one teacher-led Insight Dialogue retreat or course.
Contact: Lucy Leu at lucyleu@mac.com
Oceania
Albany, Auckland
Meeting: weekly, every Friday at 12:45pm.
Basic prerequisites: for experienced Insight Dialogue meditators wishing to practice together.
Contact: Tony Reardon at tony.reardon@acap.net.nz
Melbourne, Victoria
Location: a private home near Shrine of Remembrance
Meeting: the fourth Sunday of each month; 1:00-4:00pm. 2012 dates include: July, 26 August, 23 September, 28 October, 25 November, and none in December/January.
We share facilitation and welcome everyone interested in practicing or facilitating.
Contact: Christine chleth@skymesh.com.au
Newcastle, NSW, group A
Location: Private home in inner Newcastle
Meeting: Group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 7 – 9 pm. Shared facilitation. Group cycles through guidelines, alternately with and without a contemplation.
Basic prerequisites: New membership follows consultation with existing members, familiarity with Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom by Gregory Kramer, sound understanding of Insight Dialogue with experience from local workshop or attendance at teacher-led retreat.
Contact: Susan Burgoyne at 02-49696205 or sburgoyne@bigpond.com
Newcastle, NSW, group B
Location: Private home in inner Newcastle
Meeting: Group meets fortnightly on a Wednesday, daytime, the hours varying according to members’ work schedules. Facilitator led, group cycles through guideline practice with or without a contemplation.
Basic prerequisites: open to new members with some mindfulness experience and familiarity with Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom by Gregory Kramer.
Contact: Susan Burgoyne at 02-49696205 or sburgoyne@bigpond.com