Contemplative Studies
Selected resources and practices for learners and teachers
In Amherst or nearby
- Bodhisara Dharma Community (Amherst, MA)Mark Hart teaches Insight meditation and other practices from the Theravadin Buddhist tradition.
- Engaged Mindfulness Institute (South Deerfield)Delivers trainings from a rich tradition of spiritually grounded, contemplative and mindfulness-based peace and social change work, as well as the latest developments in neuroscience-based leadership training.
- Green River Zen Center (South Deerfield)Integrates Japanese-based Zen tradition with styles of Zen study and practice more accessible to contemporary American practitioners. In-person service on Saturdays 8:30-10am; intermittent retreats; Zoom sit every weekday 6-7am. .
- Hopping Tree Sangha (Amherst)Wednesdays 7-8:15am. New location. Contact Jim Doubleday, 413-658-7994.Practices include sitting meditation, walking meditation, readings, recitation of the precepts, and dharma sharing. Suggested donation is $5 per week. All are welcome!
- Insight Meditation Society (Barre)A spiritual refuge for all who seek freedom of mind and heart. Experienced teachers offer guidance in Buddhist meditations known as Vipassana (insight) and Metta (lovingkindness). While the context is the Buddha’s teachings, these practices are universal.
- Insight Western Mass (Easthampton)Non-residential community meditation center that offers the Buddha’s teachings to all who are interested, to help sustain and deepen meditation practice and to bring wisdom and compassion into daily life.
- Know Your Mind (Amherst, MA)Shalini Bahl offers programs and customized workplace programs at the intersection of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership.
- Temenos Retreat Center (Shutesbury)Reserve a small cabin at this off-the-grid, non-denominational retreat center located on Mount Mineral, about a half hour northeast of Amherst. No programs.
- Valley Mindfulness (Northampton, MA)Offers Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and related mindfulness programs to groups, organizations, and individuals throughout western Massachusetts and globally through the Internet.
- Valley Stress Reduction (Northampton)Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR), an attention-training program – a structured, systematic educational approach.
- Village of Light Ashram (Leverett)Sunday gatherings and other events. https://lightomega.org/calendar/sunday-satsang/
- Vipassana Meditation Center (Shelburne Falls)UMass students, staff and faculty can get into 10-day retreats by notifying the Center. As taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
- Woolman Hill (Deerfield)Quaker retreat center situated on 110 acres of beautiful meadows and woods. Personal retreats as well as for groups, meetings, celebrations. Check out the Wally and Juanita Nelson Homestead on the land.
- Last Updated: Jul 3, 2024 3:33 PM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/contemplative
- Print Page