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We are a Theravada Buddhist community based in New Haven, Connecticut that seeks to create an inclusive space for all to learn about and practice meditation. |
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Dear Sangha,
This Saturday, October 3, we will meet for a meditation and dhamma talk in person and online at 10:30 am. John will talk about the three major forms of Buddhist mediation and their relationship to each other.
Join us online by clicking below:
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TONIGHT
Buddhadharma and Parenting Group
An invite from Catherine Banson
A few parents will be gathering virtually on Thursday October 1, 2026 from 7:30-8:30 to meditate, get to know each other a little better, and discuss ways we can support ourselves with the Buddhadharma, practices and spiritual friendship in the very challenging task of raising children in this world! No matter if you have a baby or are helping to raise your grandchildren (or anything in between!), you are welcome to join us. Please click the button to leave your name and email to get more information.
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Children's Meditation Videos
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My legacy -
What will it be?
Flowers in spring,
The cuckoo in summer,
And the crimson maples
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5 Ways Buddhist Principles Can Improve Your Relationships
Buddha Grove
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At the core of Buddhism is the goal of Enlightenment, or realization of the true nature of the self as connected with the ground state of All That Is. While many may understand this intellectually, living from this space in an integrated way is another matter. However, a commitment to the Buddhist path can help many areas of life to go much more smoothly. Here are five ways practicing basic Buddhist principles can improve your relationships:
1. You Make for a Better Friend and Partner
If you show up in a relationship already committed to being as centered, peaceful and drama-free as possible, you’ll make a much better partner and friend. A Buddhist practice supports you in becoming kinder, more compassionate and less prone to being overtaken by negative thoughts and emotions, and just about everyone wants to be around this kind of person.
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Wanna Survey?
We could use just a few more... people to take our sangha survey. Please lend your voice to ensure we have a broad representation of experiences and equitable input. Find a link to the survey on our website.
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SAVE THE DATE: October 24
A Special Gathering with DaRa Williams and Joy Burns
We are excited to welcome DaRa Williams and Joy Burns for a special opportunity to practice, listen, and explore the Dharma together.
Both DaRa and Joy have long and deeply engaged relationships with Insight Meditation, yet their paths into practice have been shaped by different life experiences.
DaRa Williams has practiced Insight Meditation for more than 25 years and is an experienced teacher in the Vipassana tradition. She brings to her teaching a rich background in psychotherapy, mental health, trauma-informed practice, and contemplative training. Her work explores how mindfulness, wisdom, compassion, and the heart qualities can help us meet suffering and develop greater freedom in our lives.
Joy Burns has also been practicing Vipassana since the mid-1990s. Her journey into meditation began while working in AIDS research and experiencing the profound realities of illness, loss, and death. Over the years she has practiced at major meditation centers including Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock and has studied with a number of respected Buddhist teachers. Joy is also a facilitator with Elm Community Insight in New Haven, where she helps create an inclusive community for meditation and Dharma practice.
Joy’s decades of work in medicine have given her a particularly grounded perspective on the practice. Her experience in hematology and oncology has brought her into close contact with people facing illness, uncertainty, suffering, and change. Her interest in the Dharma reflects an appreciation for being fully present with our lives while recognizing the deep interconnectedness of all beings.
We look forward to bringing these two voices together for a day of practice, reflection, Dharma, and community. Whether you are an experienced meditator or simply curious about Insight Meditation, we hope you will save the date and join us.
More details and registration information coming to the website soon!
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How to Have Relationships
Professor Doug Powers, 2011
The dharma of relating to other people is about awareness and how we live in this type of community. We all have this incredible challenge of trying to do some sort of practice while trying to relate this practice to a constantly changing world with relations and so forth. So, maybe we can shed a little light on this.
How we’re doing in community and with each other is a really good way to see how your practice is going. Sitting in quiet meditation is one thing. When you’re actually interacting with other people, all of a sudden your past habits you thought were resolved by sitting there come to the surface and are there for you to see. So, the great thing about community and your social relations is you’re constantly able to see how you’re doing.
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Cultivation is what you’re doing 24 hours a day, and if you’re able to meditate for an hour a day, that’s great, but how are you really doing? How you’re really doing is at the worst moments of the week. That’s how you’re really doing.
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That’s how cultivated you are. You’re not cultivated at the time that you’re sitting quietly and you’re quiet. Your cultivation is, “Have I gotten a little bit less irritated at people?” “Have I gotten a little less judgmental about my way of seeing other people?” That’s how you know how your cultivation is going. Cultivation is what you’re doing every minute with your family, at work, in the situations you’re in, and that’s how you know how you’re doing. And it’s the same for left-home people in their relationship to each other and their left-home community.
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ECI Online Sits
Sunday Sit at 7:30 am
- Community meditation
- Sunday, 7:30–8:30am
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Weekday Morning Sit
- Community meditation
- Monday through Friday,
7:30–8:30am
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C
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October: Sat Sit Schedule
Online Only Simple Sit with Annette: Oct 10
Dhamma Talk with Lee: Oct 17
Daylong Retreat Oct 24 with DaRa & Joy
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Sangha NOTES
Dana
Dana, the practice of generosity, supports teachers in continuing practice and the lineage of Buddhist teachings. If you benefit from these practices and from this community, please consider supporting us. Dana is currently used to support our website, arrange visiting dhamma teachers, help to feed the New Haven community in need, and support the New Haven Free Public Library in gratitude for their generosity in providing our Saturday meeting space.
The easiest way to contribute is through this link where you can make a donation via Venmo or with a credit or debit card (via PayPal, no account required). Alternatively, if you want to send a check, please address it to:
Elm Community Insight
PO Box 6195
40 Putnam Ave
Hamden, CT 06517
Volunteering
We are seeking volunteers to assist with future Saturday Sangha meetings, including setting up, greeting visitors, and providing technical support at the Library. One way to help is to arrive early at the Library (~10:10 am) to help set up the room for Saturday Sangha. Thank you!
Community Resources
Melanie Stengel is the Sangha's Goodwill Ambassador: if have a need for concrete support (e.g., dog care, food, furniture moving) or emotional support (e.g., going through a hard time, would appreciate check-ins or visits), please reach out to her for coordination by clicking here: SanghaGoodwillAmbassador.
For supportive telephone conversation, warm lines are another resource. These phone lines are staffed by people with expertise in providing mutual aid. A list of Connecticut's warm lines is available here.
Our Community
Find more information about us, learn more about community meditation resources, or subscribe to our newsletter, visit our website at: elmcommunityinsight.org
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