Introduction to Insight Dialogue: Grounding in the Guidelines

and Gen Heng

During this course, we will practice with the six guidelines of Insight Dialogue step-by-step to cultivate freedom from suffering while in relationship with others. For four weeks, each 90-minute session will include silent meditation, instruction on the Insight Dialogue guidelines and contemplation practice in breakout rooms with meditation partners. At the end of 90 minutes, participants will be invited to stay on for an optional 15 minute group practice period.

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practice that brings together meditative awareness, the wisdom teachings of the Buddha and human natural relatedness to support insight into the nature, causes, and release of human suffering.

Insight Dialogue benefits from and is interwoven with individual, silent meditation. But Insight Dialogue also takes one beyond what can be known in individual practice by harnessing the power of relationship to amplify, refine, and accelerate the development of mindfulness. At the same, Insight Dialogue is a channel for the wisdom of Dhamma to enter the heart and mind in an immediate and embodied way that is instantly applicable in daily life.

During the course, we will recommend reading from Gregory Kramer’s book, Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom. The reading is suggested to provide contextual learning to complement the focus on experiential practice during class.