Sunday, July 12, 2026

10:00 am - 1:00 pm ET

check local time

An opening to the path: what it means to practice, why suffering calls us toward liberation, and the Buddha's fundamental invitation to look closely at experience. This session orients practitioners to the spirit and form of insight meditation, laying the ground for the weeks ahead.


Choose your enrollment fee

Meet Your Teaching Team

Anthony "T" Maes

Anthony "T" Maes has been a dedicated practitioner of Buddhist meditation since 2003, including long retreats and practicing in a forest monastery in Thailand. He teaches at East Bay Meditation Center, Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, IMS, Freedom-Together, and Dharma Homies where he leads Mindfulness Teacher Training programs, Mindful Movement, and teen meditation retreats. He has volunteered with Spirit Rock's Family Program since 2009, including New Years teen retreats and the Abhayagiri monastery weekend teen retreat. "T" graduated from UC Berkeley in 2004, completed the yearlong Commit2Dharma program at EBMC in 2011, and the 2017 Facilitator training with his mentor JoAnna Hardy and Vinny Ferraro. In 2018, he completed the 3-year Organic Intelligence practitioner training in post-traumatic nervous system resilience. He is currently in the 4-year Teacher Training Program at Spirit Rock/IMS.

Kate Siber

Kate Siber teaches and serves on the Dharma Council for the Durango Dharma Center in Southwest Colorado. Immersion in wild nature, embodiment and service have been important gateways to the Dharma for Kate. Kate’s training included the sixth Community Dharma Leader training at Spirit Rock, a multi-year apprenticeship with teacher Erin Treat, and a 10-month dharma leader mentoring program with Erin and Pam Weiss. For 20 years, she has also worked as a freelance magazine journalist, essayist and children's book author. Her most recent book is The Hidden Wisdom of Animals.

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 July 12, 2026.

  • 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 July 12, 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].