Mission and Values

Overview

Insight San Diego is a community of practitioners in the Buddhist Vipassana tradition. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization with a Board of Directors as the central governing body. The work of the Board is supported by a number of committees and a generous group of volunteers. The Board and all committees follow a core value that the Dharma guides us in our decisions.

Insight San Diego hosts a number of meditation and study groups. These groups are peer-led; they are facilitated and organized by laypersons. The facilitator and group members collaboratively select study topics and work on other aspects of the group’s activities. We are appreciative of the many experienced Dharma teachers who lead our retreats, classes, groups, and other programs.

Over the next three years, Insight San Diego will continue to grow by focusing on initiatives that align with the Buddhist Vipassana tradition. Following a period of reflection, consultation, and with input from our community, this strategic plan serves as a roadmap to guide decisions, influence behaviors, and inspire confidence in our mission. By identifying areas that align with our guiding values, we will ensure sustainable growth and long-term ability to share offerings with as many as possible.

Mission Statement

We provide opportunities for meditation and for learning the Dharma to new and experienced students from diverse backgrounds. Our intention is to cultivate mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion for the benefit of all beings.

Vision Statement

Insight San Diego is a flourishing center offering a path to freedom from suffering and the causes of suffering for all beings seeking liberation.

Who We Are

We serve the greater San Diego community of Insight Meditation practitioners and open our doors to all races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and people with disabilities, as well as those of different faiths and practices.

Values and Guiding Principles

We provide opportunities for meditation and for learning the Dharma to new and experienced students from diverse backgrounds. Our intention is to cultivate mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion for the benefit of all beings.

• We strive to provide an open, safe, and welcoming environment.
• We aspire to practice and embody loving kindness for all beings and the environment in which we all live.
• We hold community as a priority in all of our decisions.
• We honor the richness of differences in our community – differences in people, and in opinions and styles.
• We attempt to embody a balance of wisdom and compassion in all our activities, and we listen to the wisdom of community members.
• We hold the belief that all beings have the potential for awakening. We respect each individual’s path.
• We value the teachings of the Buddha and use those teachings to guide us in our decisions.
• We rely on each other as peers to cooperate and lead us.
• We value generosity – generous giving, generous listening, generous kindness, and generous sharing.
• We actively encourage inclusivity and diversity through concerted efforts to cultivate broad participation, by welcoming everyone without exception. We follow this principle as we attract participants, select programs and teachers, and recruit candidates for the Board and other volunteer positions.

Goals

Strategic goals for 2026–2028 are identified below:

• Foster community participation.
• Sustain the financial health of the organization.
• Build a diverse and inclusive community.
• Ensure that our programs are financially accessible to as many as possible.
• Broaden our menu of program offerings to the community.
• Develop closer ties with one or more Dharma teachers.
• Practice generosity.
• Ensure organizational sustainment and effective governance.

Each goal is further detailed into objectives that add specifics for achieving the goal. For example, the goal “Foster community participation” is systemic and supported by objectives across various other goals.