Peace House Community Programs
We make our first floor available to organizations engaged in work or practice consistent with our mission on a limited basis. If you are interested in exploring the use of our space for a retreat or other occasional gathering, please reach out to us at cambridgepeacehouse@gmail.com
Mini-Retreat, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 9am - noon, in-person Art and Soul of Insight Dialogue
Anicca Dukkha - Suffering of Change
All are welcome, some mediation experience recommended
Jan Surrey, Marsha Lawson, and Annie Hoffman
(Registration details at end)
“Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.” SN 56.11
This year, the Northeast Insight Dialogue Sangha is offering mini retreats on the The Three Characteristics: Anicca: impermanence, Dukkha: suffering or stress, and Anatta: no inherent, unchanging self. In November, we will contemplate with the Insight Dialogue guidelines of Pause, Relax, Open, Attune to Emergence, Speak the Truth and Listen Deeply.
We all know that change is inevitable from our daily life experience. The five recollections are facts of life, yet they are some of the most difficult aspects of our human condition. The five recollections are: Being human, it is natural that: 1. Ageing cannot be avoided. 2. Illness cannot be avoided. 3. Death cannot be avoided. 4. We will be separated from all that is dear to us. 5. We own our karma (actions), our happiness and unhappiness arise from our actions, not from outside sources. The Buddha suggested practicing with these five recollections daily.
For this Sunday, we will explore our experience with these five truths. We will practice to understand and respond to Anicca Dukkha, the suffering of change, in a wholesome and compassionate way. We will investigate what is helpful and liberative in the deep knowing and wise meeting of Anicca Dukkha.
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 November 16, 2025. 9 am to noon. Doors open for check-in at 8:30am.
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 give a financial donation to Jan use this Paypal link. by donation to and/or 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.