How a Group of Broke 20-Somethings Accidentally Launched the Mindfulness Movement | Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg
Dan Harris speaks with Insight Meditation Society (IMS) co-founders Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Jacqueline Mandell, and Stephen Schwartz. They recount the founding of IMS 50 years ago, sharing challenges, humorous anecdotes, and the unexpected growth of Western mindfulness.
Deep Dive Analysis
20 Topic Outline
Introduction to IMS and its 50th Anniversary
Early Days: The Idea and Property Search
Negotiating the Purchase of the Novitiate
The 'Tranquil and Alert' Omen and Organizational Challenges
Financing the Purchase: The $15,000 Miracle
The Dharma Protects Those Who Protect It
Cultural Shift: From Asia to America
Jewish Background of IMS Founders
Diverse Motivations for Dharma Practice
Challenges of Establishing a New Center
Unique Aspects of IMS Founding: Teacherless Center
Legal Structure as a 'Church'
Cultural Changes: Team Teaching and Inclusivity
Deliberate Focus on Theravada Tradition
Navigating Traditional Practices in a Western Context
Humorous Anecdotes: Window Wars and Moss Garden
Financial Evolution: Daily Rates and Stipends
Growth and Impact of IMS: Mindfulness Movement
Future Hopes and Dreams for IMS
Funniest Memories from IMS's History
5 Key Concepts
Eightfold Path
A foundational Buddhist list described as the Buddha's 'cookbook for a happy life,' providing guidance for a fulfilling existence.
Dharma
Refers to the teachings of the Buddha, understood as a universal 'way of life' open to anyone who wishes to practice, rather than an exclusive religion.
Teacherless Center
An organizational model where a spiritual center is founded and run by Western practitioners who then invite Asian teachers to visit, rather than being established by a single resident Asian teacher. This approach allows for greater freedom to experiment and adapt the teachings to the local culture.
Sacrodotal Functions
Specific practices or rituals required by the IRS for an organization to qualify as a 'church,' which grants certain privileges and immunities from federal government oversight.
Multi-Tradition Approach
A method of teaching that integrates practices from various Buddhist traditions, such as body scanning, noting, and metta, to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of students.
7 Questions Answered
IMS acquired a former Catholic novitiate in Barry, Massachusetts, for $150,000 after contacting various archdioceses, with Stephen Schwartz negotiating the price down from $850,000.
The initial $150,000 purchase required a $50,000 down payment, with $35,000 raised by friends and the final $15,000 generously donated by a student. The remaining $100,000 was covered by a $50,000 mortgage from the Blessed Sacrament fathers and $50,000 in personally co-signed loans from friends.
The Tibetans observed this trend, theorizing that Jewish individuals, particularly post-Holocaust survivors, might have a heightened sensitivity to suffering that drew them to practice.
Unlike many centers founded by an Asian teacher, IMS was established by young Western practitioners who then invited their Asian teachers to visit, allowing for greater freedom to experiment and adapt the Dharma to Western culture.
IMS made conscious decisions to adapt, such as adopting team teaching, changing language to be more inclusive (e.g., addressing feminist concerns about patriarchal texts), and allowing for multi-tradition practices while maintaining a Theravada focus.
In the early years, the first staff members received a monthly stipend of $25, reflecting their passion for the Dharma and willingness to contribute to its founding.
Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the idea for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) while on retreat at IMS, realizing he could re-language Buddhist concepts in scientific terms for health and education.
5 Actionable Insights
1. Observe Your Mind Directly
If you want to understand your mind, sit down and observe it. This direct observation is a fundamental practice for self-discovery and clarity.
2. Trust the Dharma’s Protection
Embrace the belief that ’the Dharma protects those who protect the Dharma.’ This mindset suggests that dedication to spiritual practice will lead to support and resolution of difficulties.
3. Prioritize Rest to Prevent Burnout
When feeling energetically drained or burned out from intense work or interaction, take more vacations. This simple advice helps protect your energy and sustain your efforts.
4. Embrace Multi-Tradition Learning
Be open to learning from various spiritual traditions and psychological approaches. This broadens understanding and can deepen one’s presence, mindfulness, and overall practice.
5. Ensure Accessibility in Offerings
Prioritize accessibility and availability in spiritual offerings, both in-person and online. This ensures that people with limited resources, caregiving responsibilities, or restricted circumstances can still find community and practice.
9 Key Quotes
Perfection is not on offer, but the practice of meditation can help you manage the ups and downs of life more seamlessly, especially when it comes to one of the difficult, one of the most difficult aspects of life, and that is interpersonal relationships.
Dan Harris
The motto of the town of Barry is tranquil and alert. And we just took that as a clear omen that this was the place for us because those are precisely the qualities that we cultivate in the practice.
Joseph Goldstein
The dharma protects those who protect the dharma.
Munindraji
The Buddha did not teach Buddhism. The Buddha taught a way of life. And this is open to anybody who wants to practice.
S.N. Goenka
Just call it Christianity.
Ajahn Chah
If you want to understand your mind, sit down and observe it.
Munindraji
The thing that astonishes me about IMS is that it was founded, has grown, and is flourishing without any adult supervision whatsoever.
Anonymous Yogi
He's a Buddhist.
Deepa Ma
Yes, Mahasi Sayadaw understands suffering.
Mahasi Sayadaw's translator