About this IMS Online Retreat

Thursday, April 23, 2026 - Thursday, April 30, 2026

Metta means goodwill or lovingkindness in the ancient Buddhist Pali language. Metta meditation cultivates our innate capacity for an open and loving heart. Said to have been taught by the Buddha himself, this practice develops concentration, fearlessness, a sense of belonging, happiness, and a greater ability to love. When well cultivated, metta practice also provides a secure foundation for resilience and wise engagement amidst uncertainty and pain.

This is a silent, intensive meditation retreat focusing on the development of lovingkindness, open to both new and experienced meditators. 

Teachers will provide formal instructions in the classical method of metta meditation, using the silent repetition of phrases along with additional methods for the development of this powerful quality. The retreat format includes alternate periods of silent sitting and walking meditation practice, and dharma talks. 

This online experience will be a livestream of the Lovingkindness retreat with Oren Jay Sofer, Dawn Scott, Yong Oh and Jessica Morey. Meditation instructions and Dharma talks will be broadcast live from the IMS Meditation Hall. Please note that there is no direct interaction with the onsite teachers.

Some experience with mindfulness meditation is recommended but not required. All are welcome!

This retreat begins on Thursday, April 23 at 7:15 pm ET and concludes Thursday, April 30 at 10:45 am ET. A full home retreat schedule and instructions will be offered. 

Click here to view an example home retreat schedule.




This registration page is for the online version of this retreat. If you would like to register for the in-person version of this retreat, click here to view the Retreat Center schedule.

Choose your enrollment fee

Meet Your Teaching Team

Oren Jay Sofer teaches Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and communication internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for the healing of trauma. Born and raised in New Jersey, he is the author of several books, including the bestselling title Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication.


Dawn Scott has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2008 and served as the Family Program Coordinator for eight years at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  She is a graduate of the Insight Meditation Society’s 2017 – 2021 teacher training program, a co-principal teacher of Marin Sangha, and is a core teacher of Spirit Rock’s Liberation, Emptiness, and Awareness Practices (LEAP) Program.  Dawn has a deep love of long retreat practice and the Buddha's liberative teachings.


Yong Oh is a Dharma Council teacher at the Durango Dharma Center and a core teacher for Sacred Mountain Sangha, and is also a visiting teacher for other community centers across North America. He teaches retreats at the Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Big Bear Retreat Center, and Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center. He is a graduate of the 4-year Insight Meditation Society Retreat Teacher Training program, Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s 2-year Community Dharma Leaders program, and the Sacred Mountain Sangha 2-year Dharmapala training, taught by his primary teachers Kittisaro and Thanissara. Yong is also a retired acupuncturist, is passionate about Nature and Dharma, and has particular interests in devotional expression, supporting caregivers, and offering teachings to communities of color in the Dharma.


Jessica Morey is a meditation teacher and coach who has been practicing meditation for over three decades. She began practicing meditation at age 14 on teen retreats offered by IMS. She is a graduate of the IMS 2017-2021 Teacher Training Program. She studied engineering and worked in clean energy finance before founding Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, a nonprofit organization bringing in-depth mindfulness and compassion training to youth. Jessica brings a sense of playfulness and care to her teaching and is focused on how we can bring our meditation practice off the cushion and into our relationships and our work. Contemplative practice has been central to her life and work–whether focused on clean energy and climate policy or growing an international youth mindfulness organization.

More Information

  • Equity Pricing Model

    As one part of our ongoing effort to expand access to the teachings of the Buddha, all IMS Online programs feature equity-based registration fees, including the opportunity to self-select a low-cost scholarship rate. No-fee enrollment is available for those who request a fee-waiver at [email protected], no questions asked. Our system supports the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive community and is made possible by our generous donors and those who choose to support other students by contributing at the “Benefactor” level.

  • Registration Deadline

    Registration for this program closes on April 23, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET.

  • Program Recordings

    This program will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing after the live sessions. On-demand videos will be available to registered participants only for 90 days.

  • Refunds

    IMS Online offers full refunds through the last day of a live program. Refunds for this program can be processed until April 30, 2026. Refunds can only be applied to the card that was used for the purchase. Please reach out to [email protected] with any refund requests. 

  • Additional Questions

    If you have additional questions please contact us at [email protected].