8 Weeks
Tuesdays, April 14 – June 2, 2026
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
on Zoom
In this course, we will explore the foundational principles of Buddhism and Insight Meditation (Theravada tradition), its core teachings, and the experiential nature of meditation practice. The course is designed for anyone who is new to Buddhist thought or who wants to refresh their understanding and practice. The program consists of eight 90-minute sessions offered via Zoom. Each session will include a brief centering meditation, an overview of the week’s topic, a break out discussion, whole group sharing/Q&A, and a guided meditation to apply the week’s topic.
This course is designed as an overview of the basic teachings. We don’t expect you to understand or absorb everything in eight weeks. Rather, the goal is to introduce you to the teachings so that you may pursue further study if you choose.
The eight sessions are intended to build upon each other so we encourage you to attend as many as you can. The talk and guided meditation from each session will be recorded and made available. The course will be led by Laurie Rodney and Heidi Wormser.
The program is offered free of charge but registration is required. Please register below. Questions about the class? Contact Heidi Wormser.
April 14 – Session 1
Introduction
April 21 – Session 2
Suffering and the End of Suffering: the Four Noble Truths
April 28 – Session 3
Loving Kindness: Metta Meditation
May 5 – Session 4
Hindrances: In Meditation and in Life
May 12 – Session 5
Vipassana: Insight or Mindfulness Meditation + Four Foundations of Mindfulness
May 19 – Session 6
Three Characteristics: Core Principles – Dukkha, Impermanence, Not-self
May 26 – Session 7
Causes and Conditions
June 2 – Session 8
Five Aggregates: Aspects of Experience – the Clinging that Causes Suffering
Laurie Rodney has been practicing meditation since 2002. In addition to learning from multiple teachers including Pema Chodron, Tara Brach, and Joseph Goldstein, she has also learned much from extended retreats through Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Tri-State Dharma, and Yellow Springs Dharma in addition to the offerings from our own Insight Meditation Cleveland Sangha. Laurie holds a daily morning practice in addition to the weekly sangha and experiential practice throughout the day. Her most valuable teachings are “Everything is curriculum,” and “Everything changes with the breath.” A career educator, Laurie is drawn to teaching the Dharma as an offering that has so enriched and supported her own life. Our core purpose is to end the suffering in ourselves and to teach others the path.
Heidi Wormser first became aware of meditation in the mid 1970’s but, despite reading about it and thinking about it, didn’t get around to actually doing it until 2014. Since then, however, she has been fully immersed in the Dharma. She has attended numerous retreats, completed a year-long study of non-dual practice, has studied the teachings of Rodney Smith, Sayadaw U Tejaniya and others, is a certified mindfulness mentor, and recently competed a 10-month teacher training with her primary teacher, John Cunningham. Heidi serves on the Board of IM Cleveland, leads sitting groups and day-long retreats, and co-teaches an 8-week introduction to insight meditation.