About Us

Insight Meditation Ann Arbor is a sangha practicing insight meditation (vipassanna) located in Ann Arbor, Michigan just west of Detroit. A little history about us, we began in the summer of 2012 and a few years later became a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to providing education about insight meditation.  In 2022, after several years online, we moved into a new location dedicated to meditation and spiritual inquiry.

The purpose of the sangha is to support the practice of insight meditation. Several times a year, community meetings are held where the community makes decisions about the direction of the sangha. There is no membership role of the sangha – those who show up for the public meeting make the decisions.

We have a small group of teachers who graciously offer their time and knowledge of the dharma with the sangha. The teacher circle also oversees the classes and sittings at Insight Meditation Ann Arbor and co-ordinates room usage.

We occasionally invite speakers outside the sangha to offer teaching. Occasionally members present topics of interest to the group in a Friday venue (check the Events section). We are resuming  pot-luck dinners several times a year to foster a friendly sangha support.

What’s Going On

• Introduction to Insight Meditation Class – is a half-day Saturday class aimed at people who want to know what’s this ‘meditation’ all about. If meditation is appealing the next step is to take a Fundamentals class.
• Fundamentals of Insight Meditation Class – is a six week class on the fundamentals of insight mediation. This is offered several times a year. The goal of this class is to provide a strong foundation of the mechanics of mediation and some of the key teachings that form the basis of our practice.
• Continuing Classes – are classes for those with a good foundation of insight mediation who are ready to explore the practice in more depth.
• Other Classes and Day-Long Retreats – are offered by the teachers based on their own particular interest and motivation. These vary widely in topic and scope.
• Meditation Sittings – are opportunities for group meditations. Our anchor sitting is the Sunday morning service from 10:00 to 11:15 each week. This is a 45 minute sitting, followed by a talk or group sharing. Other sittings are simply silent sittings together. Upon occasion a week of daily sittings (e.g. Boosters or Intensives) are organized by a teacher.
• Silent Retreats – are offered twice yearly (May and October) and led by a teacher. In the past these have been at De Sales and the Weber Center.
• Social Events – happen when  community members offer to share their interests. In the past, we’ve had musical offerings, a film screening,  and short workshops or presentations on topics of interest.
• Support Groups – peer led groups of sangha friends focused on various issues, meeting monthly in member’s homes.