About this IMS Online Program

Thursday, October 9 & 23, 2025

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When teaching Metta, we often hear from students that cultivating loving-kindness for themselves is the hardest part. But how can we have Metta for others if we cannot start with the person closest to us? During this year-long program, a variety of IMS Online teachers will guide us through the tender practice of turning our Metta inward as the ground upon which we can cultivate loving-kindness for all beings. 

This program is available as individual months, although we recommend that you join us for the entire year to learn different teachers’ approaches to this practice, in order to find some that work best for you. 


Choose your enrollment fee

Meet Your Teacher

Walt Opie

Walt Opie (he/him) is a dharma teacher in the insight meditation tradition who has been in recovery for over three decades. He was first introduced to insight meditation in 1993 and began sitting regular residential retreats in 2005. Currently, his most influential teachers include Sayadaw U Tejaniya, Bhikkhu Analayo, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Guy Armstrong, and Gil Fronsdal. Walt is a graduate of the recent 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 for many years. He teaches around the U.S. at centers including Sacramento Insight Meditation, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, New York Insight Meditation Center, Spirit Rock, and Insight Meditation Society. His website is www.waltopie.com.

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 October 9, 2025.

  • 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 January 9, 2025. 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].