All of us wish to live in peace, yet we sometimes find ourselves in conflict with others. What can we learn from the Buddha’s teachings on how to effectively work with discord?
Sacramento Insight Meditation invites you to a special gathering where we’ll reflect on our journey as a community, share our vision for the next five years, and discuss the financial health of our sangha. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow practitioners, learn about our five-year plan, and explore how we can all contribute to creating a vibrant and sustainable future together.
Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of SIM’s initiatives in teaching, leadership, and infrastructure, and consider how our collective efforts will support future generations of Dharma practitioners.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.