Finding the Way Out

Dharma Talk at FIMC
2025-07-21 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Phoenix) | Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (BUU), 510 N Leroux St, Flagstaff, 86001, United States
Sitting meditation and a Dharma talk (In-Person and Zoom)
Please stay for an optional discussion afterwards, beginning around 7:40PM.
The Monday meetings are offered in a hybrid format. If you would like to attend in person, you can join us at the Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in downtown Flagstaff. If you prefer to join by Zoom, see the information below.
Zoom Meeting ID#: 246 725 464
Password: [REDACTED]
Monday’s virtual meeting will open up at 6:15pm.

Delighting the Natural Heart
2025-05-18 12:30 - 2025-05-24 12:00 | National Forest, Northern Arizona, USA, National Forest, AZ, United States
Cultivating Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy & Equanimity
Nature is an active, dynamic force that reflects and embodies the principles of dharma. The Buddha and early monks and nuns spent much of their time practicing in direct relationship with forests, living creatures, the elements, and the rhythms of the world. There was no false sense of separation and insight arose from this intimacy.
In this camping retreat, we will explore the qualities of the Brahmavihāras (Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy, and Equanimity). These qualities can be accessible and heart opening, yet at times the practices to develop these qualities can feel dry and disconnected. In this Buddhist based retreat we will explore these Brahmavihāras outside in connection with place, with human and other-than-human nature.
Held in relationship with the elements, this retreat incorporates practices of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. There are daily dharma talks, meditation guidance, small group practice discussions, and Question and Response time.
While this retreat will be held mostly in silence, there will be time at the beginning and ending of the retreat to intentionally connect with other retreatants. During the retreat, you will be asked to refrain from using cell phones, computers or accessing the internet in order to fully engage with the experience.
About the Retreat
Location:
THIS IS A BASECAMP RETREAT. This means we will be camping, off grid and outdoors the entire time of the retreat. Please only apply if you have experience and are comfortable with being outdoors for many days at a time.
The retreat will be in the forest in Northern Arizona, USA. You will receive details of the exact location closer to the time. Note that the location may shift due to fire restrictions.
Registration (click HERE to register)

This retreat will be limited to 12 people to create a sense of community and connection. Each application will be carefully reviewed. In some cases, a personal or phone interview will be conducted with the teacher prior to determination of suitability for this type of retreat.
All applications are processed by date received. We will respond within two weeks from receipt of your application. Once you have applied, if you realize you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.
Wait List: Once the retreat is full, you will be notified and placed on a wait list, and we will contact you if a place opens up. If a space becomes available, we will notify you to confirm your registration.

Who is this retreat for
This retreat is for practitioners who have experience with camping and are comfortable being outdoors day and night for 7 days.
Cost
There is no fee for this retreat, it is offered on a donation basis. The teacher does not receive any compensation from the fees. This structure is based on the practice of Dana, a Pali word meaning generosity. At the end of the retreat you will be given the opportunity to offer a donation to the teacher and to FIMC. Your financial support allows Robin to continue to offer these teachings and FIMC to offer future retreats.

Participants will bring and prepare their own food
Participants will bring their own equipment: tent, sleeping bag and pad, cooking gear, etc
A full list of recommended gear and food will be provided

7-Day Insight Meditation Retreat
2025-04-12 08:00 - 2025-04-18 17:00
Freeing the Heart & Mind Through Presence and Generosity
A Seven-day Insight Meditation Retreat Taught by Brian Lesage & Robin Craig
Co-sponsored by Prescott Insight Meditation and Flagstaff Insight Meditation Community
April 12 – 18, 2025 | Paulden, Arizona
Registration is now open
This seventh annual, week-long Generosity Retreat will focus on cultivating an embodied quality of presence as a way of bringing a deeper sense of freedom and contentment into our lives. Join us for this opportunity to explore the power of mindfulness through silent sitting and walking meditation, fully immersed in a silent retreat setting for seven days. In silence we have the space to delve deeply inward and learn to skillfully place the intention to be present with the flow of experience in a way that allows compassion and wisdom to arise. This retreat is designed for beginning and experienced practitioners.
There is no fee for this retreat. The teachings of the Buddha have been sustained by the 2,500 year old tradition of dana, a Pali word meaning “generosity.” Our teachers, hosts and chefs receive no compensation for their services, and participants are encouraged to offer donations. In the act of giving we develop our ability to let go, cultivate a spirit of caring, and honor our inter-connectedness.
Brian Lesage has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1988 and has taught meditation since 2000. He has studied in the Zen, Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism. He was ordained in the Rinzai Zen tradition in 1996. His training in Vipassana Meditation includes doing extended meditation retreats in Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, and India as well as numerous retreats in the U.S. He leads retreats and teaches meditation courses nationwide. Brian also has a private practice in Somatic Experiencing, which is a naturalistic approach to healing trauma.
Robin Craig brings her understanding of the physiology of resilience to her meditation teaching, and supports a joyful exploration of the deep spirituality and interconnection that is ours by nature. Robin is a Certified Meditation Teacher from a lineage rooted in Theravadin and Tibetan Karma Kagyu traditions traced back to the Venerable Ananda Bodhi. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and Organic Intelligence® Faculty.
Location
This is primarily a camping retreat, with space for tents and small camping vehicles. Some lodging will be available in shared rooms. Vegetarian meals will be provided each day of the retreat.
Our hosts will be Triveni Ashram in Paulden, Arizona, approximately 30 miles north of Prescott. Details about the location and how to prepare will be provided to all participants who are selected to attend.
Registration is open through February 14, 2025
The names of applicants will be drawn in a lottery and those not selected will be placed on a waiting list.
Register
Please consider a contribution to Prescott Insight Meditation in support of this unique retreat, offered through the generosity of all. Donations will support food, expenses, and our retreat center hosts. Funds are not used for Teacher dana and do not affect your chances of admittance to the retreat. Thank you for your contribution!
Please Donate

Jhanas, Satipatthana, and Dependent Origination with Leigh Brasington.
2025-02-20 08:00 - 2025-03-02 17:00
Jhanas, Satipatthana, and Dependent Origination with Leigh Brasington.
A ten day retreat exploring the Jhānas, Satipatthana and Dependent Origination with Leigh Brasington

Dharma Treasure in Cochise, Arizona. This is a great retreat if you are interested in concentration practices. I will be offering support for this retreat.

FIMC Monday Night Talks with Robin Craig
2024-08-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (BUU), 510 N Leroux St, Flagstaff, 86001, United States
Join us at the Flagstaff Insight Meditation Community as Robin Craig brings her understanding of the physiology of resilience to her meditation teaching, and supports a joyful exploration of the deep spirituality and interconnection that is ours by nature. Robin is a Certified Meditation Teacher from a lineage rooted in Theravadin and Tibetan Karma Kagyu traditions traced back to the Venerable Ananda Bodhi. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and Organic Intelligence® Faculty.
FIMC provides both in-person and virtual opportunities for group practice and exploration. The Monday evening meditation and dharma talk is offered in a hybrid format, with a Zoom component for remote participants and an in-person option at the Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation (BUU) in downtown Flagstaff:
510 N Leroux St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
