2/6/2025 “The Art of Being Wrong” with Diane Wilde

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Be honest.  How well do you accept criticism or an admonishment?  What is your response when an action you have taken, or a view you hold is challenged by another?  or corrected? Have you ever investigated your physical and mental response when you have been in this situation? 

According to Buddhist philosophy, a critique of an action or belief which is contrary to your own could be of strategic benefit to you… if you are able to hear it. One of the Buddha’s most well-known senior monks, Mahamoggallana, offered guidance on this subject — enumerating the qualities of someone who can and cannot be admonished. Equally important, how do we effectively offer another person a differing —and often challenging — point of view or advice. Will we endanger our relationship? Mahamoggallana’s reflections are as relevant today as they were 2,600 years ago.

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1/30/2025 “What is the Middle Way?” with Kim Allen

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The Buddha used the term “middle way” a bit differently than we do in everyday language. It is not splitting the difference, staying safely in a “middling” zone, or even the literal avoidance of extremes, but rather, a distinct mode of action that leads to a superior result.

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1/23/2025 “The Bias of Perception” with Walt Opie

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In this talk we will explore how our perceptions are often conditioned by many assumptions, beliefs, habits, desires, attachments, misconceptions, resentments, and more. Through mindfulness practice, we can even begin to train our perceptions and counteract our conditioning, allowing us to respond to events with greater wisdom and less reactivity. 

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1/16/2025 “Clear Comprehension – Clarifying and Integrating Intention into Practice and Life” with Dennis Warren

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1/9/2025 “The Beauty of Beginnings” with Diana Clark

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The new year often stirs a focus on “beginnings.” How might we align this fresh outlook with our practice and life in a way that feels uplifting and free?

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12/12/2024 “Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light:  Winter Solstice Talk” with Heather Sundberg

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Near the time of Winter Solstice, this reflection will include teachings on the importance of ritual in our spiritual lives, plus stories, songs, poetry and teachings of the Buddha on the themes of darkness and light.  

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11/21/2024 “The Factors of Momentum in Practice” with Dennis Warren

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Momentum – the sense that the Dharma is taking hold and guiding us forward – is essential to our development as practitioners. It is key to experiencing confidence, satisfaction and genuine pleasure in meditation and life.


What are some of the factors that influence sustaining and cultivating Momentum? What are the factors the support expanding Momentum outside of our meditation practice and into our relationships and daily activities?

These questions will be the focus of the presentation and our discussion this evening.

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11/14/2024 “The Courage to Be Vulnerable” with Diane Wilde

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Vulnerability is a scary word.  We believe that if we become vulnerable, we will lose control of the narrative that has defined ourselves, our judgements… our control over our lives. Our stories have defined us, yet we rarely ask if these stories are helpful or even true. Practicing mindfulness on the cushion and daily life could also be defined as learning to become vulnerable. The result of having the courage to be vulnerable allows genuine joy, contentment and ease to arise. 
Tonight we will briefly summarize four practices that allow vulnerability to arise. The upcoming mini-retreat will go into much greater detail about meditation methods and daily practices which foster and support these four special qualities of mind and heart… letting go/forgiveness, gratitude, boundless friendliness and equanimity.

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11/7/2024 “Lessons from the Last Days of the Buddha” with Walt Opie

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In the Maha-parinibbana Sutta, we learn what occurred during the last few months of the Buddha’s life. We will explore a few episodes from this sutta and examine some of the Buddha’s compassionate teachings during this poignant time leading up to his death. 

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10/31/2024 “Dharmette: Equanimity” with Rich Howard

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EQUANIMITY PHRASES from SIM Senior Teacher John Travis:

May I accept things as they are.
May I remain in peace, and let go of expectations.
May I find the inner resources to remain present and be kind to myself and others.
May I see my limits compassionately, just as I see the limitations of others.
No matter how I might wish things could be otherwise, things are the way they are.
Whether I understand it or not, things are unfolding according to karma.
I wish you happiness and peace, but cannot make your choices for you.
I will care for you, but cannot keep you from suffering.
All beings are the owners of their own karma. Their happiness and unhappiness depend upon their actions, not my wishes for them.
Although I wish only the best for you, I know that your actions, not my wishes for you, will determine your happiness or unhappiness.
I care about your pain, but cannot control or eliminate it.
May I offer love, knowing I cannot control the course of your life, suffering or death.
May I offer my care and presence without conditions, knowing they may be met by anger, gratitude or indifference.

Equanimity Phrases (PDF)Download

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