Ease into Meditation Fall 2026 Series

Ease into Meditation returns this fall, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 16th, where we will continue to deepen our Shamatha Meditation practice and add a new ingredient to the mix: Investigating Reality with Vipashyana Meditation. How do we look at the nature of the world around us, and even ourselves? We will endeavor to look directly by way of empirical investigation.

We will again meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Annisquam Village Church’s Cove Room (directions below).

We will give Shamatha instruction and also blend in time-tested methods of investigating the nature of reality through vipashyana (insight) meditation, blending discussion with both open and guided meditation sessions, designed to gain insight and open the heart.

Whether you are “EIM veterans” or newcomers to meditation, you are all warmly welcomed. We will meet you where you are.

Saturday Sit begins Saturday, Oct. 24th, 10:15–11:45 a.m. See the schedule below for all dates.

We look forward to meeting you, or welcoming you back!

September 2026

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. – Sept. 16th, 23rd, 30th.

October 2026

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. – Oct. 7th, 21st, 28th.

No class on October 14th

Saturday Sit – Oct. 24th, 10:15–11:45 a.m.

November 2026

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. – Nov. 4th, 11th, 18th.

Final class before the Thanksgiving break.

Saturday Sit – Nov. 7th and 21st, 10:15–11:45 a.m.

Ease into Meditation is a relaxed and informal meditation series that partners clear instruction in classic Shamatha meditation with hands on group meditation sessions.

We will develop a deep base of relaxation where we can ease into meditation and begin to quiet body, speech and mind, the keys for taming our ruminating “monkey mind.”

There will also be guided meditations to inspire you to take your practice beyond the cushion and engage your world in a more meaningful way.

If you are looking to start a practice with a solid foundation, or if you want to sharpen your skills, and have the support of a group, then this is for you.

This series is led by Rick Blue, an Annisquam resident, a former founding member of the Mahasukha Center in Los Angeles, and former Resident Teacher and Spiritual Advisor for Wisdom’s Heart, a Buddhist educational center in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, both under the guidance of Spiritual Teacher Lama Marut.

Rick has most recently studied shamatha and dzogchen meditation with Lamas B. Alan Wallace and Douglas Veenhof.

Questions? Email Rick

To learn more about the Annisquam Village Church visit their website