Weekly Sitting Groups

Guiding Teachers

Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of San Francisco Insight. He has been a Buddhist teacher since 1990. He is a senior teacher on the Spirit Rock teacher council. At Spirit Rock Eugene co-leads the Community Dharma Leader training. Eugene’s teaching is influenced by many streams of Buddhism–– Theravada, Zen and Tibetan. He is also a Diamond Approach teacher. He’s passionate about practicing 24/7, supporting awareness, investigation and realization in daily life.

Eugene leads a meditation class Sunday evenings at San Francisco Insight: www.sfinsight.org

Victoria Cary has been practicing Insight Meditation and studying the Dharma since 2006. Victoria graduated from Spirit Rock Retreat Teacher Training in September of 2020. She has served as a Community Dharma Leader since her graduation from Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders (CDL) program in 2016. Victoria enjoys both teaching large groups and mentoring students one on one. In 2016 she co-founded the San Francisco People of Color Insight Sangha and continues as one of the core teachers. Victoria is particularly interested in the integration of the Mindfulness in everyday life.

Howie Cohn has led the Mission Dharma sitting group in San Francisco for over 30 years. He has practiced meditation since 1972, has led Vipassana retreats since 1985, and is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Howie is known by his students for his kindheartedness and warm sense of humor.Howie has studied with many Asian and western teachers of several traditions, including Theravada, Zen, Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta, and has been strongly influenced by contact with the Indian master H.W.L. Poonja. He has done postgraduate work in East/West Psychology and has a private counseling practice. For more information or for Howie’s schedule.

Anushka Fernandopulle has trained in the Buddhist tradition in the US, India and Sri Lanka for over 30 years and teaches retreats and workshops around the world. She lives in San Francisco where she has served as a Mayoral appointee on a city commission as well as on many nonprofit boards. Anushka also works as a leadership coach and organizational consultant, influenced by a BA in anthropology/religion from Harvard and an MBA from Yale. She is on the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Her teaching is informed by arts, nature, politics, social justice and modern urban life. For more info please see www.anushkaf.org.

John Martin has been devoted to dharma practice since 2001. His practice includes both long retreat practice and an engaged practice in the world. In his teachings, he emphasizes the aliveness of practice in everyday life, as well as the cultivation of the beautiful heart qualities (brahmaviharas). John teaches Vipassana, Metta and LGBTQI-themed meditation retreats. John’s spiritual path has also included volunteer service work, including over 12 years as a hospice volunteer. He serves as the Co-Chair of the Spirit Rock Guiding Teachers Council. Insight Upper Market meets every Monday night from 6:00–7:15 p.m. Please visit the website to register to receive a weekly email message and the Zoom link for the meeting: InsightUpperMarket.org.

Pamela Weiss is a Buddhist teacher authorized in two traditions—Zen and Theravada. She is a member of the Spirit Rock Teacher Council, a guiding teacher at San Francisco Insight, and the author of the book, “A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism.” Pamela is also a leadership coach, and pioneer in bringing Buddhist principles and practices into the workplace. For more information and Pamela’s teaching schedule: www.pamelaweiss.com or www.sfinsight.org.