Next Practice Offering

October 18, 2026

In Person

Jan Surrey, Marsha Lawson and Annie Hoffman

9:30 AM – 1 ET - zoom

This year the focus of the Art and Soul mini retreats will be Friendship.

Refuge in the Sangha - Refuge in Friendship

All are welcome, some mediation experience recommended

Jan Surrey, Marsha Lawson, and Annie Hoffman

Registration required

(Registration details at end of this section)

Refuge in Sangha - Refuge in Friendship 

The Buddha taught  that  Friendship with others on the path is the “Whole of the Holy Life.” Insight Dialogue supports the practice of dharma friendship.  In this retreat we will investigate how practicing the meditation guidelines of  Insight  Dialogue can support true refuge in the jewel of sangha and friendship.  We will explore how refuge in friendship can lead us forward in our practice for liberation from suffering and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion. 

This year, the Northeast Insight Dialogue Sangha is offering mini retreats on Friendship:  What does it mean, as the Buddha stated, that spiritual friendship is the whole of the holy life?  

How does friendship relate to taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha?  How does this all relate to suffering and the end of suffering?

In October, we will contemplate these teachings, practicing with the Insight Dialogue guidelines of Pause, Relax, Open, Attune to Emergence, Speak the Truth and Listen Deeply.  

The framework of this investigation is the practice of Insight Dialogue, a relational practice developed by Gregory Kramer and the Insight Dialogue Community. We will practice together to explore the teachings based in the Pali Canon, the collection of suttas in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.

Please use the following link for more information about Insight Dialogue:  https://insightdialogue.org/relational-practices/insight-dialogue/. 

Registration: Please email Marsha Lawson at mjlawson118@gmail.com for registration - stating that you wish to attend. The program is limited to twenty people. We encourage you to register early to help us with planning. 

When: Sunday October 18, 2026. 9:30 am to 1 pm.  Doors open for check-in at 9:00 am. 

Where: Peace House, 362 Broadway, Cambridge 02139. A note from the Director of Peace House: "Peace House has a two-fold mission. We provide a sacred place that is first and foremost a monastic residence: a supportive place for monks to further their spiritual development. Second, through various offerings, we invite visitors to engage in spiritual discovery, meaningful community, and practice. We aim to create conditions where individual and collective peace, connection, and discovery can flourish." 

Cost/Dana: There is a suggested donation of $20, more or less, to go towards the maintenance of Peace House. Please bring cash, check, or donate directly to Peace House at their payment/donation page: https://www.cambridgepeacehouse.org/donations. 

Jan Surrey and Marsha Lawson will offer the teachings, and Annie Hoffman movement practice, on a dana basis. Dana is the system of generosity in giving and receiving that the Buddha initiated some 2500 years ago where teachers freely offered the teachings, and students gave what they could to support the teachers and the continuation of the teachings. To learn more about the practice of dana, please see https://insightdialogue.org/giving/.  You can send dana​ toJan using Venmo @jsurrey and to Marsha at venmo @marshajeanne or paypal paypal.me/marshalawson1935. 

Parking: Sunday parking on the streets is free. 

Questions: Please email Marsha Lawson at mjlawson118@gmail.com or call her at 207-233-8714. 

Health safety: Please do not come to this program if you have any symptoms of illness of any kind. Thank you for your consideration for the health of our group. Masks are optional.

"According to the teachings of the Buddha, beautiful friendship (kalyana-mitta) is an essential aspect of the path of awakening, just as central as morality and meditation. The Buddha was direct and quite emphatic that friendship is woven into the whole life of a practitioner. Friendships are central at every stage of the path. In the Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2), the Buddha said:  "Beautiful friendship is the whole of the holy life."  Quote by Jan Surrey

All are welcome, no registration necessary for online offerings. Some meditation experience recommended.

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practiced in direct, face-to-face, heart-to-heart relational contact. We will practice together in dyads and small groups with the six meditation guidelines - pause, relax, open, attune to emergence, listen deeply and speak the truth - and explore the power of relationship in awakening.

As our community continues to grow, we are delighted to welcome new attendees and teachers. With this growth, the structure of Art & Soul may naturally evolve and vary, making space for the diverse styles, gifts, and ways of sharing that each teacher brings.

We hope you will join us and taste the joyful potential for release and freedom often hidden in our everyday relations. You are invited to attend any and all of these sessions. There will be periods of silent meditation practice, dharma talk, relational meditation practice and mindful movement.

You are welcome to come to any and all of our practice sessions.

Fall 2026 Schedule

"According to the teachings of the Buddha, beautiful friendship (kalyana-mitta) is an essential aspect of the path of awakening, just as central as morality and meditation. The Buddha was direct and quite emphatic that friendship is woven into the whole life of a practitioner. Friendships are central at every stage of the path. In the Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2), the Buddha said:  "Beautiful friendship is the whole of the holy life."  Quote by Jan Surrey

This year the focus of the Art and Soul mini retreats will be Friendship.

Future Offerings - all online - 9 am - noon ET

Dec       Monica Williams & Rachel Hammerman, date TBD, topic TBD

    Jan        Marsha Lawson & Stéphan Benoist, date TBD, topic TBD

    Feb 28       Katie Rhodes, Kathleen Fink & Annie Hoffman, topic TBD ( Acrobat Sutta related)

    Mar  14      Laurence & Jane Cutler, topic TBD

    April      Natalie & Deborah, Date TBD, topic TBD

    May 9      Jan & Annie traditional Mother's Day offering, topic TBD

Zoom Meeting ID: 829 3553 9493 Passcode: pause

Click Here To Join the Zoom Meeting

"According to the teachings of the Buddha, beautiful friendship (kalyana-mitta) is an essential aspect of the path of awakening, just as central as morality and meditation. The Buddha was direct and quite emphatic that friendship is woven into the whole life of a practitioner. Friendships are central at every stage of the path. In the Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2), the Buddha said:  "Beautiful friendship is the whole of the holy life."  Quote by Jan Surrey

All are welcome, no registration necessary for online offerings. Some meditation experience recommended.

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practiced in direct, face-to-face, heart-to-heart relational contact. We will practice together in dyads and small groups with the six meditation guidelines - pause, relax, open, attune to emergence, listen deeply and speak the truth - and explore the power of relationship in awakening.

As our community continues to grow, we are delighted to welcome new attendees and teachers. With this growth, the structure of Art & Soul may naturally evolve and vary, making space for the diverse styles, gifts, and ways of sharing that each teacher brings.

We hope you will join us and taste the joyful potential for release and freedom often hidden in our everyday relations. You are invited to attend any and all of these sessions. There will be periods of silent meditation practice, dharma talk, relational meditation practice and mindful movement.

You are welcome to come to any and all of our practice sessions.