by April Koester | Aug 4, 2026 | Classes, News, Retreats
A basic Buddhist concept acknowledges that the mind is in a constant flow state, changing from moment to moment. This day of practice provides support for training the mind to more skillfully manage how these changes occur, interrupting unwholesome self-creating processes and building new processes that are more wholesome, through practicing mindfulness of breathing meditation. The retreat is suitable for beginning as well as more practiced meditation students.
Please bring your own lunch. There is a refrigerator and microwave on-site. A limited number of meditation cushions will be available; it is recommended that if you have your own, please bring it. There will also be chairs available.
The retreat will be led by Peter Carlson who has been teaching meditation for over 30 years. For more information about Peter, click here.
When: Saturday, September 19th, 2026 9:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Oneness Yoga Retreat Center located at 218 W. Lewis Road, Apopka, FL (not far from Kelly Park)
Fee: $60 to the Orlando Insight Meditation Group; the fee will be split evenly between OIMG and the retreat center. (NOTE: The teacher takes no fee. Those attending will have the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to him at the end of the day to express gratitude for the teaching and what was learned.)
For questions: please email April.
by April Koester | Mar 30, 2026 | Classes, News, Study Resources
Proposal for September 2026 Study Group
From Peter Carlson:
Hi Fellow Travelers—I’ve decided that the next study group will continue to focus on Pema Chodron’s work, using “The Places That Scare You—A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times”. As I have said previously, we live in trying times, and I anticipate the cultivation of kindness and compassion will be very useful for keeping our balance going forward, with the cultural and environmental stressors that are occurring.
The book provides a structure for developing the theme of the study of compassion for oneself and others. Even if you participated in the previous group that used Chodron’s “Start Where You Are—A Guide to Compassionate Living”, the cultivation of mindfulness and compassion is a central theme of Buddhist study and practice, which I found to be worth revisiting. I look forward to conversations organized roughly through this format: The first two meetings will focus on chapters with an emphasis on cultivating an unhindered and tranquil mind. The next two meetings will focus on chapters that emphasize the cultivation of lovingkindness and compassion, and the remaining four meetings will focus on other chapters of the book that emphasize integrating these capabilities into your life, particularly bringing compassion to the way we cope with the challenges of contemporary life. The Lojong training points listed at the end of the book support this integration.
The format of the series is as it has been previously. I want folks to commit to daily meditation practice of 45 minutes, as one of the most valuable aspects of Buddhism is the emphasis on the direct experience of meditation. If you ever learned how to play a musical instrument, you understand the value of practice, even if the results are not up to the standard you set. If you struggle with the 45 minute goal, developing this capability might be the most beneficial and compassionate outcome for you aside from the contents of the book. I want to have a dialogue with every person participating in the group during each meeting focused on integrating the contents of the book with your meditation experience—sort of like a music coach. I have practiced and taught meditation for over half my life and I can help you develop these important skills. I might spend more time in one discussion during a meeting because I think the topic will benefit everyone participating but generally, I have been able to talk with everyone during each meeting.
I plan for the first Zoom meeting to be the weekend of September 26-27, and the last of the 8 meetings is scheduled for November 14-15. As previously, one can choose either a Saturday or Sunday group, and the Zoom meetings will be from 3-4:30 PM. I will not expect any payment but request a donation to the Orlando Insight Meditation Group of $160. OIMG is a nonprofit organization, and the money will be used to further develop access to Secular Buddhist concepts and practices going forward.
Here’s how to commit to the meetings: Email your commitment to peter@orlandoinsightmeditation.org along with your phone number, indicating your preference for either Saturday or Sunday; if you are open to either day, let me know, as this flexibility will help me organize the attendance. I will limit the number of participants in each group to 7, so space is limited, therefore hesitation about committing could prevent your participation. I will email a more detailed prospectus for the series of meetings to the participants about a week before the first weekend of the meetings.
I wish you well. Peter
As in previous groups, the fee for the series is recommended to be $160, payable to OIMG, either through the website or via check sent to Peter Carlson, 1818 Carrigan Avenue, Winter Park, FL, 32789. If you don’t have $160, pay what you can afford, knowing that this contribution is a core funding project for our Sangha’s activities. Peter is offering facilitation services freely, as has been the case for a few years now. Participants can make their payment after receiving confirmation from Peter about their application.
Thank you for your interest. We wish you well.
by Sharon Wright | Jul 24, 2023 | Classes, News
One hour guided meditation/talk/q&a sesssion 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Mondays 6:30pm (ONLINE ONLY)
In addition to our weekly Sangha, we invite you to join the monthly LifeArt Meditation Group, offered on the second, third, and fourth Monday of every month online only.
LifeArt Meditation Monday with Susan Baxter: Expanding Awareness to the Whole Body
Move from rigid, forced concentration into wide-open, effortless awareness. Learn how to hold your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations all at once, transforming your entire body into a vast, peaceful sanctuary that remains unshaken by passing stress.
Time: Aug 24, 2026 – Room opens at 06:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93951415744?pwd=1axPseqon30VPvGXxJCuhF8CfIarEW.1
Logistics:
Online only, 6:30-7:30 pm ET on the second, third, and fourth Mondays of the month.
You may RSVP on our Meetup.
by Peter Carlson | Mar 17, 2020 | Classes, News
Sangha meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7pm to 9pm and can be attended in person or via zoom.
The in person meetings are held at Peter Carlson’s home at 1818 Carrigan Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789. For those who haven’t been to the site, the house is the only one on the block with a sheet metal roof. Park on the street or in the driveway—please be considerate of the neighbor’s property. Walk to the left of the garage and through the gate in the chain link fence; the cottage in the back yard is where we meet.
We will meditate in silence from 7 to 7:45, then, after a break, the Dharma talk will begin.
There will be a small box near the front door for dana, the practice of donating to the teacher out of gratitude for the teaching. The contribution is not required, and the money will be used to maintain the building and pay for the Zoom subscription. There is a lending library of Dharma related books in the cottage that operates on a trust basis.
To attend meetings via zoom, use the information below:
Click here to join Zoom Meeting.
Meeting ID: 847 1472 3882
Passcode: 620329
Click here to add the zoom meeting information to your calendar: