About

Eugene Insight Meditation Community is a group of dedicated Dharma practitioners located in Eugene, OR. Our mission is to share the benefits of mindfulness and compassion for people of all ages, classes, colors, and creeds, facilitated through weekly meet-ups, silent retreats, study groups, and community activities. Inspired and guided by the wisdom traditions of Theravada Buddhism, we come together as a community through silent meditation, group discussion, and other supportive practices that deepen connection and care for ourselves, one another, and the natural world – for the welfare of all sentient beings.


We currently meet weekly on Zoom Sunday Evenings 6:30-8:00pm.

Covid 19 Awareness & Policy

Even though the severity has lessened, we understand that Covid-19 remains an ongoing concern in our communities, especially for those who are immunocompromised. We will continue to monitor and adhere to the Oregon Health Authority guidelines for group gatherings and events.

At this time:

– Masking is optional.

– Social distancing is optional.

– Testing is optional.

– Vaccination is optional.

All are welcome. There will be people at the events that are not vaccinated for various personal reasons, including the teacher. We honor people’s personal risk-benefit assessments.

As a matter of course, we will continue to require that anyone experiencing SARS-CoV-2-like symptoms within 5 days of the event refrain from attending and accept a full refund (CDC recommendation). Exceptions to this require two negative SARS-CoV-2 tests (PCR and at-home), or a positive T-cell antibody test within 6 months. If you’ve tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 but have flu symptoms, we still require 4-5 days from symptom start, as recommended by the CDC.

Please let us know if you have special requests or needs to be able to feel safer and more comfortable at these events. Thank you for caring for yourself and others. Deep gratitude 🙏

History:

Eugene Insight began in 2013 at Eugene Yoga South, under the leadership of Rasika Link, who had recently completed the Dedicated Practitioner Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. The following year, Linda Rose and Marilyn Picariello, long-time students of Howard Cohn, moved to Eugene from California. Before long, they became engaged in Sangha development at Eugene Insight. In 2015, Justin Michelson, a local resident and long-time practitioner, joined the group. He was in the process of completing the Community Dharma Leader training program at Spirit Rock. Before long, he was also contributing to organizing and leading the Sangha, including creating a web-site, facebook page, and promotional material.


In 2017 the Sangha moved downtown to a more central location and one year later, due to growing interest and attendance, to a larger space at XCape Dance Academy, 1645 Oak Street, Eugene. The group is growing and new sub-groups are forming – most recently: Q Sangha, a monthly Dharma group for the LGBTQIA community; a study-group that meets twice a month to dive deeper into books on the topic. Additionally EIMC hosts Introductory courses to Insight Meditation; Day long retreats and Nature Retreats. We are a 501c3 non-profit (although not yet tax-exempt) and started a fund to bring in guest teachers.


The leadership team now consists of Justin Michelson, Madelaine Au, and Sage Liskey, who are responsible for ongoing decisions of the Sangha. Countless others have helped through donating money, time, or ideas to the Sangha, and by sharing their experiences with the group at weekly meetings, forming a rich web of relationships. The leadership team hopes to expand in the coming years, inviting on more Sangha members to self-govern the group.