Saturday, December 3, 2022

10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET

check local time


Open to all.

The Buddha often pointed to craving as a root cause of suffering, and recent research in neuroscience appears to reinforce exactly what the Buddha frequently taught. 

During this mini retreat, we will explore the theme of craving and how a dedicated mindfulness practice can help us overcome various forms of craving that tend to create ongoing suffering and even addiction. This can be craving related to food, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes/vaping, relationships, video games, social media, and more. 


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 strong habits and offer ourselves greater freedom of choice when it comes to difficult urges. 



Join IMS Teacher Walt Opie and special guest neuroscientist Judson Brewer, MD, PhD (author of The Craving Mind and Unwinding Anxiety) for a day of practice and discovery as we explore 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. 

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 for 90 days.

Meet Your Teacher and Guest Speaker

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.

Judson Brewer

Judson Brewer MD, PhD, is an internationally renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is an associate professor in the School of Public Health, and Medical School at Brown University. His 2016 TED talk, “A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit,” has been viewed over 18 million times. He has trained Olympic athletes and coaches, government ministers and business leaders. His first book, The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love – Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits, was published in over 16 languages. His second book the New York Times best-seller, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind has been has been published in over 28 languages.

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.