Welcome to River Valley Insight. We are open to all who wish to join us.
About
Our Buddhist community is grounded in the Theravada / Insight Meditation tradition, while also drawing on Zen and Tibetan Buddhist teachings.
Our mission is to help us all awaken and free ourselves from suffering by being a resource to learn about meditation and Buddhism. We offer a welcoming, inclusive space for practice.
We encourage participation in our community, enabling us to build a caring sangha which supports our members as well as the larger community.
We value all people, and realize that we can learn to examine limiting beliefs, assumptions and prejudices about others, in order to increase harmony.
We welcome all people and wish to include all races, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, classes, religions, abilities and ages. We are committed to providing a safe place for all people to explore the dharma and awaken.
Accessibility at River Valley Insight Meditation Community
It is our intention and value to be able to share the dharma with everyone who wants to be able to participate.
The following was from our indoor space, which is not in use at this time:
Seating
There are straight-backed chairs, and a variety of meditation cushions and benches available in the space. You are welcome to bring your own seating if you would be more comfortable doing so.
People who need to lay down in the hall are welcome to take 2 mats and a blanket to make a comfortable space for themselves. Please do not lay down in the hall unless you have a medical need, or unless you are invited to do so by a teacher.
Hearing impairment
In order to increase accessibility, we are using Zoom closed captioning transcription. This should improve access for those who have a hearing impairment. Seats in the front of the room are reserved for those who are hard of hearing.
Wheelchair/Mobility Access
The meditation hall is on the 3rd floor of the building, up 2 flights of stairs. There is a ramped entrance to an elevator at the back of the building off of the municipal parking lot. This parking lot is accessed through Masonic Street, and there are several handicapped spaces.
The door is painted yellow, and is across from Iconic Café.
Unfortunately, because the elevator is used by other businesses it must be sent down when it is needed. To use the elevator please arrive 15 minutes before the program and text or call us at 1-413-570-0097. We’ll bring the elevator down. There is a ramp inside the door leading to the elevator, and the elevator opens directly into the meditation center.
Chemical sensitivity
We encourage everybody to use sent-free personal products and detergents, to reduce our exposure to unnecessary chemicals and help those in our environment who are sensitive. However, Shambhala practitioners do burn incense in the space, and have for years. We have been told by people who are chemically sensitive that this is likely absorbed by fabrics in the suite, and even with air purifiers which have carbon filters, it could cause problems for some people.
Overhead lighting
In order to be able to hold hybrid programs using Zoom, we need to have the overhead lights on during the program. For people who are light-sensitive, please bring a hat to shield your eyes.
Noise
Our suite is on the 3rd floor, above Main St. in Northampton. There will be a fair amount of street noise, which can be used as part of your practice. If, however, you have significant noise sensitivity, you can bring ear plugs.
Foot gear
Most of the floor is hardwood, and shoes need to be left at the door, which could cause problems for people with foot or leg problems. Therefore, if you need to, you can bring a pair of indoor shoes or slippers to wear in the space. These need to be taken off before entering the meditation hall, unless you need them to walk. There will be shoe covers available by the front door for those who need to cover their shoes to wear them into the hall.
Vaccination status
We encourage people to stay home if you have symptoms of illness. We encourage masking if you want to reduce the risk of spreading illnesses.
Medical/other limitations
We understand that not everyone will be able to participate for the full length of time of a program. If you need to leave early, for whatever reason, please inform the teacher before the program starts. Just quietly replace your cushions and leave when you need to.
Contact
Summer, outdoor meditation is held in Florence at Keyes St. and Depot Ave.
Mail: PO Box 1292 Northampton, MA 01061-1292
Email: kimw@rivervalleyinsight.org
Phone: 413-570-0097
Donate
Your donation supports the practice, teachings, and community of River Valley Insight. Through your generosity, we continue to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom together. Thank you for supporting the Dharma.