2/12/2026 “Mindfulness’ in Buddhist Practice” with Dennis Warren

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“Mindfulness” has become such a commonly used term in Western culture that its meaning now has a shape-shifting quality to it. Its definition depends on the person or group talking about it.
This evening will focus on Right Mindfulness in Buddhist practice, and distinguish it for the broader culture connotations it has taken on. Join us to explore together the following questions:

What is “Right” mindfulness in Buddhist practice?
Of what are we supposed to be mindful?
Why is mindfulness important?
How does one “do” or “be” mindful?
What is the experience of mindfulness?

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2/5/2026 “Right Concentration” with Walt Opie

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As part of our ongoing series, this talk will examine the final factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is Right Concentration. Practicing Right Effort and Right Mindfulness, in combination with a strong foundation in ethical behavior (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood) leads eventually to a more focused or unified mind that is easily able to stay with one object like the breath or to maintain continuous awareness as the objects of our attention change (thoughts, sights, sounds, tastes, etc). With this steady, still, undistracted mind, we are then ready to cultivate insight which leads to wisdom (Right View, Right Intention) and potentially to full awakening.

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1/29/2026 “Right Effort” with Diane Wilde

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Tonight we continue our series on the Noble Eightfold Path with Right Effort, the first of the “Samadhi” factors, the teachings that deal with mental cultivation.

Right Effort addresses our inner life: preventing unwholesome states from arising, letting go of those that have already appeared, and cultivating and sustaining wholesome qualities of mind. Traditionally, it is not about striving or self-pressure, but about wise discernment—knowing what nourishes clarity, kindness, and freedom, and what leads to suffering. Learning what sort of effort to expend in our sitting meditation is crucial for developing insight. In daily life, Right Effort shows up as choosing where we place our attention, how we respond to habits and emotions, and when we gently redirect ourselves rather than push or judge. It is the practice of effort that is balanced, humane, and aligned with our deepest values.

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1/22/2026 “Seeing Clearly, Aiming Wisely” with Diana Clark

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In this talk in our series of talks on the Eightfold Path, we’ll explore how the path begins on the inside with Right View and Right Intention. The way we interpret what’s happening and the motivations we bring, quietly shape everything. We’ll look at how to recognize unhelpful momentum, reconnect with what matters, and let the path become something lived rather than merely understood.

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1/15/2026 “Speech, Action, Livelihood: Where the Rubber meets the Path” with Rich Howard

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In this second part of our six-week exploration of the Noble Eightfold Path, we will delve into the three components of the training in sila, the development of ethical conduct. While some elements of the Path may sound theoretical or far from our experience, the practices of skillful speech, right action, and our very livelihood are at the heart of our everyday lives, whether or not we consider ourselves “Buddhist.” Connecting these areas of our life to the other Path factors like intention and mindfulness brings richness and depth to everyday activities, enhances the quality of our relationships, and brings ease and the “bliss of blamelessness” to our lives “off the cushion.” The mission of Sacramento Insight Meditation is to integrate “meditation practices and awareness in all aspects of individual, family, educational, institutional, work, and community life.” The training in sila is the way to do that.

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1/8/2026 “Engaging the Eightfold Path” with Diana Clark

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The Noble Eightfold Path isn’t just a set of ideals, it’s a practical way through the tangles of daily life. What we receive from the Path depends on how we practice it: as an occasional reference point, or as something we weave into the ordinary moments of our days. This talk introduces a talk series on bringing the Eightfold Path meaningfully into our lives.

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12/11/2025 “Are You Listening?” with Diane Wilde

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Really listening to another is an incredible skill… it’s almost magical.  When we listen to another, we are not only giving them the gift of our whole-hearted attention, we are also taming the ego-driven addiction of impatiently waiting for OUR turn to speak.  When the Buddha spoke about Right Speech, he was including both sides of the communication equation; skillful means of intentional speech as well as intentional listening to others.  Intentionally listening also means listening to ourselves, to our own innate wisdom which we often ignore. Skillful Listening is a mindful practice that changes attitudes and beliefs as well as enhances empathy and community.  It is a great gift to bring into this New Year… for ourselves, our friends, and to those with whom we disagree.

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12/4/2025 “When Something Feels Off” with Diana Clark

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Most of us know the quiet sense that something is not quite right. In this talk we’ll explore how the way forward can emerge from within the very moments that once felt so wrong.

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11/20/2025 “What Are We Supposed to ‘See Clearly?” with Dennis Warren

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One of the fundamental teachings we hear regularly is to “see things clearly as they are.” But Seeing Clearly is not an inherent quality of mind. It is a skill that matures through intentional development. Join us this evening to explore these questions:

  • What does it mean to “see clearly”?
  • What are we supposed to see clearly?
  • Why is seeing clearly so important?
  • What are the obstacles to seeing clearly? And what do we do about them?
  • How do we develop this skill?

The presentation and discussion will include a practical examination, and handout, of the critical elements of the Historical Buddha’s Psychology of Causation which explains the nature of suffering. We’ll apply Seeing Clearly to the stressful dynamics of being with family during the holidays.

Handout – DO Chart – HB Liberating InsightsDownload
The Ralpo Sutta On the Wise Use of the Thinking MachineDownload
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11/13/2025 “Greatest Blessings” with Rich Howard

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In this season of gratitude, Rich will bring reflections on the “greatest blessings” from the Maha-Mangala Sutta (Sutta Nipata 2.4). When asked to tell the greatest blessing, the Buddha gave a short discourse in verse containing 38 blessings. This beloved sutta reminds us that, even in the midst of loss and grief, our ordinary lives contain so many sources of gratitude and happiness. In balancing our awareness of suffering with the uplifting conditions in life, we come closer to seeing things as they are. This awareness provides a balance to our daily life practice and a motivation for skillful action in the world.


Rich last offered a reflection on this sutta three years ago, as we celebrated 20 years of SIM. This evening will be structured differently, as we will explore the Buddha’s examples in small group discussions to find sources of happiness relevant to our lives today.

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