Melbourne Insight Meditation Circle

Thank you for your interest in joining our local sangha. The Insight Circle was established in early 2026 following the second Insight Meditation Institute Dharma Teacher Training retreat in New South Wales. Recognising a shared calling to deepen our practice and nurture our spiritual friendships, senior Insight Meditation Australia teachers encouraged us to cultivate a dedicated local community.

Today, our circle brings together experienced practitioners focused on mindfulness meditation, vipassana, and traditional Melbourne insight meditation practices. The Insight Circle is an invite-only monthly gathering featuring a shared vegetarian meal, silent sitting practice, and deep Dharma inquiry. Currently hosted in our Glen Iris studio, the circle serves as a warm urban touchpoint that bridges our retreat project, The Eco Retreat, with dedicated practitioners across Victoria and interstate Australia who value the transformative generosity of spiritual friendship.

Cultivating Deep Practice

To preserve the depth of our collective silence and inquiry, the Insight Circle is specifically tailored for those who already have a mature foundation in insight and mindfulness meditation frameworks.

Practice Foundation: We ask that new participants have an established practice and have sat at least one silent, residential vipassana or insight meditation retreat.
Invitations & Growth: Our sangha grows organically through personal invitations and trusted word of mouth.
Space Capacity: To maintain an intimate, supportive environment, gatherings are limited to 20 people.

Our Vision: The Art of Kalyana-mittata

At the heart of our Melbourne insight meditation circle is the practice of Kalyana-mittata, or spiritual friendship. The Buddha described noble friendship not merely as a helpful aid, but as "the whole of the path."

Unlike a casual social connection, a spiritual friend offers a steady, compassionate presence that mirrors our highest intentions. By gathering regularly to sit in silent mindfulness meditation, share food, and engage in heartfelt Dharma inquiry, we move beyond isolated individual practice into a living system of collective care. Together, we nurture the wisdom, ethical clarity, and intentional presence to flourish with the wider world.

Gathering Format & Flow

Members are invited to bring a vegetarian dish to share for our community dinner. If you prefer to skip the meal, you are most welcome to arrive at 7:00 pm directly for the sitting practice.

We provide a selection of zafu cushions, floor mats, and standard chairs to support your posture during your practice.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner and conversation (please bring a vegetarian plate).

7:00 pm – 7:15 pm: Tidy up and dishwashing.

7:15 pm – 8:00 pm: Silent meditation (DTT may offer gentle guidance to settle group).

8:00 pm – 8:15 pm: Practice check-in (maximum 5 minutes per person).

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm: Discussion on an emerging theme.

9:00 pm: Tea, fruit, and sweets.

How to Join

If you're accepted into the group you'll receive the address and the Whatsapp link. To help us track numbers, please RSVP on the Whatsapp group or email us. Please join the private WhatsApp thread as you'll get updates on the gatherings, who is coming and see what food people are bringing. There is no expectation you will attend every circle, especially if you live in regional Victoria or interstate. We would love to have a regular group that attends and a place for our far away friends to land when they are in town!

The dates for the 2026 insight circles are set for 2026:

October 24th

November 27th Weekend Retreat

2027 Dates Coming Soon

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Current contacts and coordinators for the Insight Circle are:

Marion Miller 0423703960 | marionmillerart@gmail.com

Richard Harrison 0438673668 | richocles@gmail.com

Anne Love 0419517377 | annelove95@gmail.com

Insight Meditation Communities and Training we support.

We proudly support the broader Australian community through volunteering on the committee of the Insight Meditation Institute Australia. They offer courses, training and resources by experienced teachers.

Insight Meditation Australia offer retreats and practice groups Australia wide.

Monday and Wednesday evenings Melbourne Insight Meditation offer in person sitting practices in Brunswick and St. Kilda.

The Eco Retreat is our community studio, organic farm and Eco Dharma retreat project.

Sangsura Retreat in Byron Bay offer insight meditation retreats with experienced teachers.

Spirit Rock in the USA is a retreat centre and insight meditation community.

Gaia House in the UK is a retreat centre and insight meditation community.

If you would like to join Insight Circle please fill out the form below.