About Us

Mid America Dharma is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the practice of vipassana or Insight Meditation available to others in the central region of the United States.

Board of Directors

President: Lucy Freeman, St. Louis, MO
Vice President: Diana Taylor, Kansas City, MO
Secretary:
Treasurer: Carl Wingo, Columbia, MO

Dianne Asher, Estes Park, CO
Philip Jones, Columbia, MO
Joseph McCormack, New Bloomfield, MO
Lisa Reboy Des Moines, IA
Kyle Sorys, Papillion, NE
Mark Wiesman, Omaha, NE

The Mid America Dharma Board of Directors is looking for people who are dedicated to the dharma and who have a practice in Insight Meditation (Vipassana) to join us. If you are interested in joining us please see our Statement on Board Membership.

History of Mid America Dharma

The origins of Mid America Dharma can be traced to 1983 when a small group in Topeka, KS invited Shinzen Young to lead a meditation retreat. After three years of these retreats other volunteers took on the responsibility of organizing regular meditation retreats around Kansas City. In 1993 the group of volunteers began using the name Mid America Dharma Group, in1996 incorporating in Missouri and in 1997 receiving 501(c)3 status as a charitable organization from the IRS. In 2000 its name was shortened to Mid America Dharma but it has continued to the present as an all-volunteer organization.

Learn more about history…

Bylaws, Policies, and Statements

Mid America Dharma Covid-19 Policy

Mid America Dharma By-Laws

Mid America Dharma Ethics Policy
“Persons participating in MAD events will be encouraged to bring concerns to any board member, retreat manager or other person who will later bring the concern to the attention of the Ethics Committee.”

Mid America Dharma Gift Policy

Mid America Dharma’s Statement on Racism and Oppression

Upcoming  Activities

2024

Reading The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha
An Online Sutta Study Course
with Philip Jones
Meeting Monthly: Nov. 20, Dec. 18, 2024
and Jan. 15, Mar. 19, 2025
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Central Time
Registration is open, closes Nov. 10, 2024

2025

2025 Awakening Joy Course: 10 Steps to a Happier Life
Affiliate Event
Online with James Baraz
Meeting Times: see the course description
Registration is open

Connecting Heart and Mind
an Online Retreat
with James Baraz
January 17-19
Registration is open, closes January, 13, 2025

Cultivating a Wise Heart
A Residential Retreat
with Annie Nugent
March 6 -11
Mercy Center, St Louis
Registration Opens: December 15, 2024

Deepening Your Practice: A Retreat for Experienced Meditators
A Residential Retreat
with David Chernikoff
July 28 - August 3, 2025
Creighton University Retreat Center, Griswold, IA
Registration Opens: April 13, 2025

Mindfulness in Everyday Life
An Online Householder Retreat 
with Robert Brumet
and Joe McCormack
September 7, 9, 11 & 13, 2025
Registration opens June 7, 2025

The Happiness of a Well-trained Mind
A Residential Retreat
with Bridget Rolens
October 30 - November 2
Mercy Center St Louis
Registration Opens: July 15, 2025

Other Items of Interest