Dharma Refuge Companions
Find a meditation companion
Connect with a compassionate meditation companion to support your mind and spirit during challenging times.
When you need a supportive presence
Dharma Refuge Companions are experienced meditation practitioners who offer presence, stillness, and deep listening to those navigating illness, aging, dying, caregiving, or grief. Whether in person or online, Companions meet you where you are — in your home or in your heart space — to meditate alongside you.
Each connection is shared between a Meditator and a Companion, with the Companion holding compassionate space for whatever arises. This presence is often something loved ones, in their care and worry, may struggle to offer. Our Companions are trained to meet this tenderness with steadiness.
This is a freely offered, mutual practice — a space where both Meditator and Companion may experience deep connection, clarity, and the unfolding of loving awareness.
If you are living with illness, aging, loss, or are offering care to others, Dharma Refuge Companions are here to walk with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can meet with your Dharma Refuge Companion in person, by phone, or via an online video conference platform such as Zoom or Google Meet.
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No more than one hour.
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Your meditation session begins with a short sit to help you and your Companion arrive in presence. This can be silent or guided, as you prefer.
You may explore what’s been going on in your meditation practice—an opportunity to examine the difficulties you’ve encountered as well as insights and other fruits of practice that have emerged.
You might then have a longer sit with your Companion, either silent or guided, and a chance to speak mindfully about what arose during the sit.
To end, you might discuss how to apply mindfulness practices to the challenges of your daily life.
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When you request a Companion, you can express whether you’re interested in just one session or would like to establish an ongoing relationship. Once you have been paired with a Companion, the two of you can work out the details.
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Sometimes you’ll find the perfect match. Sometimes it just isn’t there. If you find your relationship isn’t working you can end it at any time. If you have any questions, you can contact our program coordinator who might help you find a better match.
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A True Refuge Companion provides caring support for your meditation practice. If you need help that goes beyond meditation support, your Companion could encourage you seek the professional, therapeutic or medical help you need.
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Companions freely volunteer their time and no compensation is expected or will be accepted. Gratitude is a natural response, however, and you might explore supporting IMCW through a donation.
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Please provide your feedback by writing our program a coordinator a message through the contact form here. Your feedback is most welcome.
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If you are interested in becoming a True Refuge Companion, you should:
Value Buddhist meditation (Vipassana / zen)
Have a regular sitting meditation practice for a minimum of three years
Have participated in at least three silent multi-day retreats
Have completed a Dharma Refuge Companions training