Healing Arts Program

• Essential Oils Consultation
• Christian Meditation
• Vipassana Meditation
• Non-Violent Communication
• Reiki and Energy Healing
• Reiki Classes
• Reflexology
• T'ai Chi Ch'uan
• Thai Yoga Massage

1300 Ninth Street NW, Washington DC 20001 (202) 745-1881

Vipassana - Insight Meditation - Mindfullness

Vipassana Meditation is offered on Thursdays at 7 - 8pm. (Donations accepted)

Welcome to the practice of Vipassana Meditation as taught in the oldest school of Buddhism, Theravada. This program is designed for beginners as well as those who have an established practice. We believe having a structured, regular meditation period in your week lends discipline to your practice.

The Buddha spoke often of the value of meditation as the primary tool to enlighten the mind. His teachings on the specifics of the techniques he used, however, are much less frequent. When asked directly about his meditation practice, he identified Vipassana [“Mindfulness” or “Insight”] as the form of meditation he relied on in his practice.

We will follow the detailed accounts he gave in several talks which have come to form the core of traditional Buddhist meditation. If in future years you encounter other forms of Buddhist meditation, you will find that your practice of Vipassana has provided you a good basis for further exploration.

Sessions are led by Patrick Hamilton, a student of Buddhism since 1964. Patrick does not refer to himself as a meditation teacher. That title, he says, should be reserved for someone with specific training and instruction in the methods of teaching this simple, yet profound practice. Patrick is a guide who leads small groups in meditation by providing an overview of the technique, setting the pace of the sitting and walking, and encouraging further personal exploration by guiding to deeper sources of knowledge.

Patrick's website is a valuable resource and highly recommended for interested students. There are FAQs and great resources for further practice. Please visit www.sivali.us.

Mechanics (Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00 pm)