Meditation Teachers - Insight Meditation Society

IMS Faculty 2008 & 2009 Core
Guy Armstrong Guy Armstrong has practiced insight meditation for over 30 years, including training as a Buddhist monk in Thailand with Ajahn Buddhadasa. He began teaching in 1984 and has led retreats worldwide. He is an IMS guiding teacher and a governing teacher at Spirit Rock. Listen to Guy's dharma talk
Steve Armstrong Steve Armstrong, a co-founding teacher at the Vipassana Metta Foundation's dhamma sanctuary-hermitage on Maui, encourages development of all good human qualities. He offers a variety of Buddhist mindfulness practices designed to strengthen an unshakeable sense of well-being.
Ruth Denison Ruth Denison studied in Burma in the early 1960s with the meditation master Sayagi U Ba Khin. She has been teaching since 1973 and is founder of Dhamma Dena, a desert retreat center in Joshua Tree, CA, and The Center for Buddhism in the West in Germany.
Christina Feldman Christina Feldman is a co-founder of Gaia House in England and an IMS guiding teacher. Following training in the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, she has taught meditation since 1976 and has an ongoing commitment to the long-term retreat program at Gaia House. Her books include Compassion, Silence and The Buddhist Path to Simplicity. Listen to Christina's dharma talk
Joseph Goldstein Joseph Goldstein is a co-founder and guiding teacher of IMS's Retreat Center and Forest Refuge programs. He has been teaching vipassana and metta retreats worldwide since 1974 and in 1989 helped establish BCBS. He is the author of A Heart Full of Peace, One Dharma, The Experience of Insight and Insight Meditation. Listen to Joseph's dharma talk
Myoshin Kelley Myoshin Kelley began practice in 1975 and has worked with teachers in the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Her teaching style emphasizes a relaxed, caring and attentive attitude combined with joyful interest. She is teacher-in-residence at the Forest Refuge. Listen to Myoshin's dharma talk
Jack Kornfield Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in Asia. He is a co-founder of IMS and Spirit Rock, and has taught meditation internationally since 1974. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is the author of a number of books, including The Wise Heart and After the Ecstasy, the Laundry.
Michael Liebenson Grady Michael Liebenson Grady has been practicing insight meditation since 1973. He is a guiding teacher at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center.
Narayan Liebenson Grady Narayan Liebenson Grady, an IMS guiding teacher, is also a guiding teacher at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center where she has taught since 1985. She is the author of When Singing, Just Sing: Life As Meditation and a regular contributor to Buddhadharma magazine. Listen to Narayan's dharma talk
Kamala Masters Kamala Masters began practicing in 1975. Trained by Anagarika Munindra and Sayadaw U Pandita, she offers the dharma in the US and abroad. She is a co-founder and guiding teacher of the Vipassana Metta Foundation on Maui and is currently developing Ho'omalamalama, a sanctuary-hermitage for long-term practice.
Michele McDonald Michele McDonald has taught insight meditation around the world for 27 years, helping individuals to find their own natural entry points into stillness and deep liberation. She is a co-founder of Vipassana Hawai'i as well as a leader in retreats for youth and Burma relief projects.
Corrado Pensa Corrado Pensa teaches insight meditation in Italy and the US. Since 1987 he has been the guiding teacher of the Association for Mindfulness Meditation in Rome. He is also a professor of Eastern Philosophy at the University of Rome and a former psychotherapist.
Larry Rosenberg Larry Rosenberg practiced Zen in Korea and Japan before coming to vipassana. He is a guiding teacher of the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center and the author of Living in the Light of Death and Breath By Breath.
Sharon Salzberg Sharon Salzberg, a co-founder of IMS and BCBS, has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1971 and has been teaching worldwide since 1974. She is an IMS guiding teacher and author of The Kindness Handbook, Faith and Lovingkindness. Listen to Sharon's dharma talks
Rodney Smith Rodney Smith has been teaching insight meditation since 1984. He is a former Buddhist monk and worked in hospice care for 17 years. The author of Lessons From the Dying, he is the founding and guiding teacher for the Seattle Insight Meditation Society and an IMS guiding teacher. Listen to Rodney's dharma talk
Carol Wilson Carol Wilson began meditation practice in 1971. She has studied with a variety of teachers in Asia and the West, including time as a Buddhist nun in Thailand. An IMS guiding teacher, she has been offering vipassana and metta retreats around the world since 1986, including the IMS Three-Month course. Listen to Carol's dharma talk
Visiting
Fred von Allmen Fred von Allmen has studied and practiced under Tibetan and Theravada teachers since 1970 in Asia, Europe and the US. He has taught retreats worldwide for 25 years. The author of several Buddhist books in German, he is a co-founder of the Meditation Center Beatenberg in the Swiss Alps.
Pascal Auclair Pascal Auclair has practiced and studied Buddhism since 1997 and is currently part of the IMS/Spirit Rock teacher training program. For several years he has taken an active role in the IMS Family, Teen and Three-Month retreats.
Rebecca Bradshaw Rebecca Bradshaw is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley, MA. She is also a psychotherapist and the Buddhist Advisor at Mt Holyoke College. Her teachings invite exploration of the convergence of love and wisdom.
Bhante Buddharakkhita Bhante Buddharakkhita was born and raised in Uganda. Meditating since 1993, he was ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk in 2002. Now residing at Bhavana Society in WV, he teaches worldwide and in 2005 founded the Uganda Buddhist Centre.
Rob Burbea Rob Burbea has practiced and studied Buddhism since 1985. Teaching since 2004, he is currently the Gaia House Resident Teacher and a member of its Teacher Council. He is a co-founder of Sanghaseva, an organization exploring the dharma through international service work.
Hugh Byrne Hugh Byrne teaches with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC and is a co-founder of the Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship. He teaches classes on Buddhism and meditation for the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program.
Sally Clough Sally Clough began practicing vipassana meditation in India in 1981. She moved to the Bay Area in 1988, and worked at Spirit Rock until 1994 in a number of roles, including executive director. She began teaching in 1996, and is one of the guiding teachers of Spirit Rock's Dedicated Practitioner Program.
Howard Cohn Howard Cohn has been leading vipassana retreats internationally since 1985. A psychotherapist and an original member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, he brings joy and passion to his teaching with an emphasis on reawakening our intrinsic freedom.
Mark Coleman Mark Coleman has taught retreats since 1997, following extensive training in several Buddhist traditions. He leads Wilderness Meditation courses, has a private practice in counseling and coaching, and is the author of Awake in the Wild.
Matthew Daniell Matthew Daniell, a Buddhist meditation and yoga practitioner since 1984, teaches vipassana and ‘mindfulness yoga', inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar. He is a founder and the resident teacher at the Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport, MA.
Sky Dawson Sky Dawson has practiced vipassana meditation since 1981 and completed the IMS Teacher Training Program in 2005. She lives in Western Australia where she teaches the dharma. She also has extensive experience in hospice and palliative care.
Chas DiCapua Chas DiCapua, currently the IMS Resident Teacher, has offered meditation since 1998. He is interested in how each person can fully and uniquely manifest the dharma. He teaches regularly at sitting groups and centers close to IMS.
Jean Esther Jean Esther has practiced vipassana meditation since 1982 and has worked with the Teen Retreat since 1999. She has a psychotherapy practice in Northampton, MA and has been teaching meditation since 2001.
Anushka Fernandopulle Anushka Fernandopulle has practiced and studied meditation in the US and Asia for most of her life. In addition to retreat teaching, she is engaged with the arts, nature, service work and progressive social justice movements.
Patricia Genoud-Feldman Patricia Genoud-Feldman has been practicing Buddhist meditation (vipassana and Dzogchen) in Asia and the West since 1984 and teaching vipassana internationally since 1997. She is a co-founder and guiding teacher at the Meditation Centre Vimalakirti in Geneva, Switzerland.
Trudy Goodman Trudy Goodman has practiced in the Zen and Theravada traditions since 1974. She founded InsightLA and Growing Spirit (a family program) in Los Angeles. She is the guiding teacher of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy in Cambridge, MA.
Ed Hauben Ed Hauben, a long-term meditator and friend of IMS, has served on its board and assisted with the Teen and Family retreats for the past 25 years.
Deborah Ratner Helzer Deborah Ratner Helzer has practiced with Western and Asian teachers in the Theravada tradition since 1995, including a year as a nun in Burma. She has been teaching in the Washington, DC area and assisting with retreats around the country since 2001.
Bhante Khippapanno Bhante Khippapanno, ordained a Buddhist monk in 1949, practiced vipassana in India and Burma with Dipa Ma, Mahasi Sayadaw and Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw. He founded Jetavana Vihara, Washington, DC, 1982, and Sakyamuni Meditation Center, CA, 1988. He helped establish Phuoc Son Meditation Center, Vietnam, 1994.
Kittisaro Kittisaro, a Rhodes Scholar, spent 15 years as a monk in the forest tradition of Ajahn Chah. He is a co-founder of the Dharmagiri Hermitage in South Africa and teaches worldwide. He recently completed a year self retreat.
Maddy Klyne Maddy Klyne teaches classes and workshops as well as special programs for young people at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, MA.
Ajahn Kusalo Ajahn Kusalo has interest and experience in offering the teachings to families, having lived a householder life before ordaining in New Zealand in 1992. He is co-abbot at Tisarana, a Buddhist monastery in Canada in the Thai forest tradition.
Heather Martin Heather Martin has practiced meditation for over 30 years with Asian and Western teachers, and began teaching in 2000. A midwife for 20 years, she lives in B.C., Canada.
Ajahn Metta Ajahn Metta, born in Germany, received ordination in 1996 at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK. She has recently completed a year-long retreat in Asia.
Phillip Moffitt Phillip Moffitt is a member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council and the founder of the Life Balance Institute. He teaches vipassana meditation and is the author of Dancing with Life, a book exploring the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths.
Wes Nisker Wes Nisker is a dharma teacher, author, radio commentator and performer. He is the founder and co-editor of Inquiring Mind and a member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council. His latest book is Crazy Wisdom Saves the World Again!
Annie Nugent Annie Nugent has practiced since 1979 and was an IMS Resident Teacher, 1999-2003. Her teaching style aims to reveal how all aspects of our lives can help us come to a clear and direct understanding of the Truth.
Susan O'Brien Susan O'Brien has been practicing vipassana meditation since 1980 and has studied with a variety of Asian and Western teachers. She began teaching in 1996 and coordinates the Insight Meditation correspondence course.
John Peacock John Peacock, an academic and meditation teacher for 25 years, currently teaches Buddhist studies and Indian religions at the University of Bristol, UK. He is an Associate Director of The Oxford Mindfulness Centre, recognized by Oxford University.
Yanai Postelnik Yanai Postelnik has been engaged in full-time dharma practice and service for 19 years. Inspired by the Thai forest tradition, he has taught internationally since 1992 and is the Dharma Director of Gaia House, England.
Sharda Rogell Sharda Rogell has been meditating since 1976 and teaching worldwide since 1987. She has been influenced by several Buddhist and Hindu traditions. She is on the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock and is a student in the Diamond Approach.
Marcia Rose Marcia Rose has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1970. She is a guiding teacher in Taos, NM for The Mountain Hermitage and founded Taos Mountain Sangha. She was IMS Resident Teacher, 1991-1995, and now teaches in the US and internationally.
Adrianne Ross Adrianne Ross, MD, has been involved with meditation and healing since 1978 and has offered retreats in Canada and the US since 1995. She also teaches MBSR to people with chronic pain and illness.
Ajahn Santacitta Ajahn Santacitta, born in Austria, received ordination at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK in 1998.
Greg Scharf Greg Scharf has practiced extensively since 1992 in India, Thailand and in Burma, where he trained as a Buddhist monk. He is particularly interested in the role of service in the path of awakening.
Amita Schmidt Amita Schmidt, author of Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master, is a former Resident Teacher at IMS. She currently combines the teaching of non-dual awareness with her foundation in Buddhist practice.
Gina Sharpe Gina Sharpe has studied and practiced Buddhism for over 30 years, across several traditions. She co-founded New York Insight in 1998 and is currently part of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program. She has been teaching since 1994.
Ajahn Thanasanti Ajahn Thanasanti, a native of CA and senior nun at Chithurst Buddhist Monastery in the UK, received ordination in 1991. Her international teaching focuses on awakening compassion and using nature as a support for meditation.
Thanissara Thanissara, a practitioner since 1975, was a nun for 12 years in the tradition of Ajahn Chah. She guides Dharmagiri Hermitage in South Africa and an affiliated HIV/AIDS program. She recently completed an MA in Buddhist Psychotherapy.
Sayadaw U Tejaniya Sayadaw U Tejaniya began his Buddhist training as a young teenager in Burma under the late Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw (1913–2002). Twelve years ago, following life as a householder with a business career, he ordained as a monk. He teaches meditation at Shwe Oo Min Dhammasukha Tawya in Rangoon, Burma.
Arinna Weisman Arinna Weisman is a founding teacher of Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley in Easthampton, MA, and co-author of A Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation. Her practice and teaching have been infused with her life experiences as an environmental and political activist.
Kate Lila Wheeler Kate Lila Wheeler began teaching meditation in the mid-1980s and continues to practice with teachers in Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Writing is an important part of her life; she has recently completed a second novel.
Larry Yang Larry Yang, a longtime meditator, trained as a psychotherapist, has taught meditation since 1999 and is a core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, CA. He has practiced in Southeast Asia and was a Buddhist monk in Thailand.
Assisted By
Éowyn Ahlstrom Éowyn Ahlstrom is a certified yoga teacher and massage therapist whose primary interest is in teaching awareness of and compassion for the body. She has served on staff at IMS for several years, and is a dedicated dharma practitioner.
Franz Moeckl Franz Moeckl has practiced and studied insight meditation, Tai Chi and Qigong for more than 25 years, including time as a Buddhist monk in Thailand. He now teaches in the US, Europe and Asia.