In Early Buddhism, the word \u201csangha\u201d refers to a community of enlightened monks and nuns. Today, we also use the term to describe any community of people connected to the dharma, including the vibrant and motivated IMS staff and volunteers who come from near and far to serve other beings on the path to awakening.<\/p>\n
To support the development of wisdom and compassion among the staff sangha at IMS, the organization has developed a unique program \u2014 appropriately called the Sangha Program \u2014that encourages community members to practice mindfulness and kindness in daily interactions. Under the skillful guidance of Resident Teachers, the staff and volunteers who participate in the Sangha Program are encouraged to use their work as dharma practice, so that effort naturally emerges from a place of generosity, patience, equanimity and loving-kindness.<\/p>\n
Chas DiCapua and Susan O\u2019Brien are the IMS Resident Teachers who lead the program. Chas shares that \u201cthe intention of the staff Sangha Program is to support what goes on in the Meditation Hall. By practicing together regularly, the staff is more connected to the retreat experience and the needs of the yogis on retreat.\u201d The Sangha Program also ensures that there is integrity throughout all aspects of the spiritual sanctuary that is IMS.<\/p>\n
Insight Meditation Society Program Director Christine Marshall adds, \u201cI find it invaluable to connect with my co-workers as my\u00a0sangha. Being at IMS supports and renews my experience of interconnectedness, my faith in the goodness of all beings and my joy in work as practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are six components of the Sangha Program and staff members can participate in as many or as few as they choose. Each month, the teachers select one aspect of dharma study as a focus area. Then, staff and volunteers can attend any of the following gatherings:<\/p>\n
IMS Front Office worker Roberta Lewis shares, \u201cIn the first year that I got to sit the Staff Retreat, I was struck by how different it was to sit next to my co-workers and actually experience them in formal practice. Instead of relating to them as their personalities, I was aware of other aspects, something not necessarily seen in day-to-day interactions: a tenderness of commitment to the dharma, an intention to settle the busy mind\/body spin, a sincerity in engaging and embracing our shared aspiration, both as individuals and as a\u00a0sangha. Since then, I interact with my co-workers with a perspective that attempts to remember the greater layers of each of us, not simply the upfront momentary personality that we may meet as we get the next job done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roberta\u2019s experience \u2014 and the experiences of countless other IMS staff members over the years \u2014 serves as a reminder that staff life at IMS can be an ongoing learning opportunity. In addition to performing a functional job to support our mission, staff members commit to execute their job duties in accordance with the ethical standards outlined by the Buddha. While the laundry needs to be folded, the snow shoveled, and the budgets balanced, IMS staff members treat each other with kindness and respect. By combining secular work with daily spiritual practice, each moment becomes a precious opportunity to learn and grow.<\/p>\n
Carey Kasky, the Manager of the IMS Forest Refuge, adds some perspective as a newer staff member. \u201cGoing to work had always been something I did just to pay the bills,\u201d Carey shares. \u201c(But) joining the community at IMS has been a joy and it feels like I have finally been able to blend retreat life and work life seamlessly. This happens organically at IMS because of the Sangha Program. We are given so much support in our own practice that we can show up every day and support the practice of others.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is important to note that IMS welcomes staff members from all backgrounds and beliefs and one does not need to be a practicing Buddhist to work here. \u201cIMS is not a guru center. There is no expectation that someone practice in a certain way or even practice at all,\u201d Chas says. \u201cYou can really find your own way and go at your own pace. But there is a whole department dedicated to support those who want to practice. Teachings on generosity, ethical conduct, and the training and development of the heart and mind are freely available for anyone who wants to participate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the intention of the IMS staff is to work diligently to create a tranquil, safe and nurturing experience for all meditators. Serving others in this way requires a strong personal commitment, and IMS staff members make great effort to cultivate wisdom and compassion in themselves, so that they may serve with greater effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Chas relates a story about the Buddha to summarize the value of the IMS Sangha Program. He says, \u201cPeople would often ask the Buddha, \u2018What will most help me on the path of dharma?\u2019 And the answer the Buddha gave most often was, \u2018associate with the wise.\u2019 We are therefore blessed that the vast majority of people who come to IMS are walking the path; there is intentionality and wisdom and compassion being cultivated. And while the Sangha Program is dharma training, it is really about building community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In Early Buddhism, the word \u201csangha\u201d refers to a community of enlightened monks and nuns. Today, we also use the term to describe any community of people connected to the dharma, including the vibrant and motivated IMS staff and volunteers who come from near and far to serve other beings on the path to awakening. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":198,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-200","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"