IMS was founded in 1975 by Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Jack Kornfield, who recognized the value and support that a dedicated meditation facility would provide after teaching around the country. On February 14, 1976, they opened the doors of a former Catholic novitiate in Barre, Massachusetts—a picturesque New England town whose motto, “Tranquil and Alert,” perfectly captured the spirit of meditation. For nearly five decades, tens of thousands of meditators have come to IMS’s Retreat Center and Forest Refuge, letting go of the busyness of daily life to explore their minds and open their hearts. Over the years, IMS has hosted many renowned Asian Buddhist masters representing various traditions, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, Anagarika Munindra, Dipa Ma, and the Venerables Mahasi Sayadaw, Sayadaw U Pandita, Ajahn Chah, and others. IMS particularly values this deep and ongoing connection with the Asian roots of practice, bringing ancient Theravada Buddhist teachings to contemporary Western practitioners.
Why it matters: IMS pioneered the introduction of intensive Buddhist meditation practice to the West, creating a dedicated space where thousands have undertaken the inner work of awakening and brought the fruits of their practice back to their communities. As one of the foundational institutions of Western Buddhism, IMS has maintained authentic connections to ancient Asian wisdom traditions while making these teachings accessible to modern seekers. By providing a sanctuary where people can step away from daily busyness to cultivate mindfulness and compassion, IMS has trained generations of meditation teachers and practitioners who have carried these transformative practices throughout North America and beyond, contributing significantly to the integration of contemplative wisdom into Western culture.
