HISTORY

In 2009, Insight Meditation Community of Washington D.C. (IMCW) founded by Tara Brach, encouraged the practice of generosity through volunteerism, and from that vision Insight on the Inside (IOI) was created. From 2009 to 2018, IOI operated under the auspices of IMCW. As the demand for our classes in a variety of host facilities grew and the organization gained more volunteers, it became advantageous for us to establish ourselves as a fully independent entity.  In 2018 we became an established 501(c)(3) non-profit. Today, we maintain an active volunteer base who facilitate classes across the DC Metro Area. Volunteers also serve on organizational committees including anti-racism, community engagement and outreach, and fundraising. 

 During the covid-19 public health pandemic, we responded in accordance with the core mindfulness wisdom of accepting and responding affirmatively to change. We transitioned to virtual classes and developed new means of delivering classes in the varied circumstances of our host facilities. In 2020, we joined the Reentry Action Network (RAN), a coalition of DC-based organizations committed to supporting returning citizens, as a greater number of people were released and returned home in light of the pandemic. We are committed to advancing equity issues, practicing principles of anti-racism, and integrating trauma-informed mindfulness in classroom settings and within our organizational life.