Insight Meditation Community of Bloomington-Normal

04/23/2026

Can mindfulness actually help when life doesn’t slow down?

When you’re:
• caring for others
• holding a lot
• moving from one thing to the next

—not in a retreat center, but right in the middle of real life

This Monday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m. CT, we’re welcoming Emelda “E” De Coteau to our sangha for a guest teacher evening on Zoom.

What I really appreciate about E’s approach is how real it is.
Not abstract or idealized—just grounded in the kinds of challenges many of us are actually living with.

She’ll guide a meditation and share ways to stay rooted in mindfulness right in the middle of it all—not by stepping away from life, but by meeting it with a bit more steadiness, compassion, and care.

🧘 What to expect:
• Guided meditation
• A talk grounded in real-life practice
• Optional space to reflect or share

You’re always welcome to just come and sit quietly with us.

If you’ve been feeling stretched lately—or just curious how practice meets real life—I think this will be a meaningful evening.

Join us here:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86336406842

04/21/2026

Guest Teacher Sangha Meeting with Emelda “E” De Coteau
We are honored to welcome Emelda “E” De Coteau as a guest teacher for our sangha. E will offer a guided meditation and teach us how to root ourselves in mindfulness when life becomes challenging. Whether we’re caring for others, such as parenting or supporting aging parents, or navigating the realities of chronic health conditions. E brings her own practice and wisdom to how we can meet these experiences with steadiness, compassion, and care.

Emelda “E” De Coteau is a writer, activist, and mindfulness facilitator trained in TSD Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Her work centers the connection between mind and body, cultivating compassion for self and community, deepening resilience, and supporting mindful living as a daily practice. Rooted in a progressive Christian path, she brings a spiritually grounded and inclusive approach to her offerings.

She is also the founder of When Motherhood Looks Different, LLC, which helps Mamas on a neurodivergent parenting journey center mindfulness and connect in community through events, resources, and 1:1 mindfulness sessions. This work is inspired by her beautiful neurodivergent daughter Nai.

E’s understanding of mindfulness amid challenge is grounded in radical self-care and community care, shaped by the wisdom of Black and Latinx creatives and thinkers such as Audre Lorde, June Jordan, bell hooks, Dr. Angela Davis, and Gloria Anzaldúa, as well as the coalition-building spirit of the Black Panther Party. She lives in Maryland with her family.

Join us for this meeting, Monday, April 27th
6:30-8:00pm, Join us on Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86336406842

04/20/2026

Tonight at 6:30pm CT, we host our Dharma Sharing Discussion Circle.
This meeting is a gentle, open space for sharing the wisdom that arises from our own hearts and minds. After we practice mindfulness meditation together, this wisdom often becomes more accessible, clearer, and easier to speak about what is there for you. This circle is held in a judgment-free spirit, rooted in warmth, honesty, and deep listening. You are welcome exactly as you are, and we truly hope you’ll join us.

Use this link to join our meetings.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86336406842

04/13/2026

Tonight is our Community Member Dharma Talk - Ryan Barfoot's Personal Reflections from Retreat at Insight Meditation Society

Following a period of silent retreat at the Insight Meditation Society, Ryan will share reflections from practicing in silence with senior Theravāda bhikkhunis Ayya Santacitta and Ayya Ānandabodhī.

The retreat explored how acceptance and agency work together on the path of practice. Through teachings on the five spiritual faculties—faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom—participants were invited to investigate how these qualities shape both meditation practice and daily life.

Ryan will share a few insights and questions that emerged from the retreat, and how these teachings can support a steady and compassionate way of meeting our lives.

04/07/2026

🗣️ Wonder how to turn disagreements into understanding?
A study found that acting with awareness, communicating openly and avoiding escalation predict happier relationships. Overall mindfulness correlates with greater satisfaction, and being nonjudgmental helps partners feel accepted. Reactivity, however, harms compatibility. Learning to pause and listen can change everything. 📖 Read the full study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10653557/ .
What mindful skill will you bring to your next conversation?

04/05/2026

A gentle reminder that we’re gathering tonight, Monday, March 6th, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom for our Sangha meeting.

Tonight, we’ll jump back into our new sangha book, Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness by Tara Brach. This book offers a compassionate path toward greater peace, self-acceptance, and connection.

During the meeting, we’ll listen to the audiobook together while reading along on a shared screen of the Kindle version. This makes it easy to participate whether you’re joining from a phone, tablet, or computer. As always, we’ll include time for meditation, quiet reflection, and open-hearted sharing.

Each reflection includes a discussion question designed to evoke honesty and connection, helping us recognize how deeply shared our human experience is.

Join us tonight here: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86336406842

We hope to see you there. 💛

04/01/2026

Have you ever asked yourself whether Buddhists believe in a creator god? 🌿
In Theravada Buddhism, the answer is no. The Buddha taught that fear and uncertainty gave rise to the idea of gods, and instead emphasized self-understanding and compassion. Buddhism is non-theistic: it focuses on personal responsibility, ethics, and meditation rather than divine intervention. Curious how this perspective can complement your spiritual views? Tap the link to find out!

👉 Buddhanet – Do Buddhist Believe in God?

03/31/2026

🧘 Looking for an easy way to strengthen your relationship?
Research from the University of Georgia suggests that mindfulness practices make couples feel more confident and connected. When partners slow down, breathe and pay attention, both people benefit. Mindfulness is a learnable skill—meditation, gratitude and mindful breathing all help. Curious to try? 🔗 Explore the study in UGA Today:

A new UGA study suggests that staying in the moment can help couples tackle challenges together and improve their relationship.

03/30/2026

Sangha Practice Meeting — Tonight at 6:30pm (Zoom)

Join us this evening for a spacious and grounding time of shared practice. We’ll settle in together for approximately 45 minutes of silent sitting meditation, followed by about 15 minutes of optional moving meditation. We’ll close with time for optional sharing and discussion for anyone who would like to reflect together.

Tonight’s meeting will be led by Dirk Wethington, who has been practicing with IMCBN since our very first gathering. It’s truly an honor and a delight to practice with him, and to be supported by the steady presence he brings to our sangha.

You’re welcome just as you are—whether you’re continuing your practice or simply arriving as you can.

Use this link to join our meetings.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86336406842

03/29/2026

☀️ Start Your Morning with Meditation

Looking for a simple, supportive way to build a consistent meditation practice?
Join our Weekday Morning Meditation Group (8:30–9:00 a.m.)—a gentle way to begin your day with presence and care.

Each session includes:
• Brief check-ins and intention setting
• 20 minutes of silent meditation
• Optional walking or moving meditation
• Time to share reflections or wish others well before closing

Practicing with others can help meditation feel more natural and sustainable over time. Many people also notice benefits like reduced stress, clearer focus, and greater emotional balance.

Karen Renski will be hosting these meetings through April 10th.
Karen has been practicing with our sangha for some time and brings a warmth and openness that is truly inspiring to be in the company of.

If your mornings allow, you’re warmly invited to join us.

🕣 When: Weekdays, 8:30–9:00 a.m.
📍 Where: Zoom
👉https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71366744466?pwd=abL2u5bqjd4L4xKsyaMzI5CTd48JTF.1

03/29/2026

We're really happy to share that a few members of our community will be stepping in to lead some of our upcoming meetings 😊

✨ Tomorrow (March 30th, 6:30pm CT on Zoom)
Dirk Wethington will be leading our sangha practice meeting
Join here: https://www.insightblono.com/sangha

🌅 Morning meditations (through April 10th)
Karen Renski will be guiding our weekday sits
Join here: https://www.insightblono.com/morning-meditation

📖 April 6th
Margaret Boehle will be leading our book meeting (same sangha link above)

All three have been practicing with us for some time now, and you’ve likely already felt their presence—steady, warm, and genuine. It feels really meaningful to share leadership in this way and continue growing as a peer-led sangha.

If you’ve been meaning to join, this is a beautiful time to come sit with us 💛

03/29/2026

☀️ Start Your Morning with Meditation

Looking for a way to build a consistent meditation practice?
Join our Weekday Morning Meditation Group (8:30–9:00 a.m.).

Each session includes:
• Brief check-ins and intention setting
• 20 minutes of silent meditation
• Optional walking or moving meditation
• Time to share reflections or wish others well before closing

Practicing with others can help make meditation easier to sustain and more meaningful over time. Research shows regular meditation can support reduced stress, improved focus, and greater emotional balance.

If you’re available in the mornings and would like a supportive way to begin your day, we invite you to join us.

🕣 When: Weekdays, 8:30–9:00 a.m.
📍 Where: Zoom
👉 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71366744466?pwd=abL2u5bqjd4L4xKsyaMzI5CTd48JTF.1