About this IMS Online Retreat

Friday, July 29, 2022 - Sunday, July 31, 2022

Open to all. 

 Craving comes in many forms—including desire, aversion, and expectation—and presents us with a false promise of satisfaction that it can never truly deliver.  

Mindfulness practice allows us to counteract our tendency toward cravings because it changes the way we relate to a craving when it first arises. Through mindful awareness, we begin to see that we can simply "be with" strong impulses without needing to act on them. From a place of internal empowerment, we can become more skillful in our relationship with old habits and offer ourselves true freedom of choice when it comes to difficult urges.

This July, join Walt Opie for a weekend exploration of craving, and discover the path that leads away from suffering, and moves us closer to freedom. This online retreat includes guided meditations, dharma talks, and time for sharing and discussion. The program may be engaged as a silent weekend and/or as a compliment to daily life. 

This retreat begins on Friday, July 29, at 7:00 pm ET and concludes Sunday, July 31, at 12:00 pm ET. A full home retreat schedule and instructions will be offered. The live session schedule with the teacher is as follows:

Friday, July 29, 2022

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET (check local time)

Saturday, July 30, 2022

10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET (check local time)

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET Session (check local time)

Sunday, July 31, 2022

10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET (check local time)

About the Teacher

Walt Opie

Walt Opie was first introduced to insight meditation in 1993 and began sitting retreats in 2005. Currently, his most influential teachers include Bhikkhu Analayo, Joseph Goldstein, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, and Gil Fronsdal. Walt is a graduate of the 2017-2021 IMS Teacher Training Program, as well as Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders program. He has led sitting groups for people in recovery and served as a volunteer teacher in several California prisons. His website is www.waltopie.com.

Choose your enrollment fee

As one part of our ongoing effort to expand access to the teachings of the Buddha, all IMS Online programs feature sliding scale registration fees and the opportunity to self-select a low-cost scholarship rate. No-fee enrollment is available for those who request a fee-waiver via email. 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.