Registration is now open for SIM’s 3-day Non-Residential Hybrid Retreat with teachers Diana Clark and Walt Opie. For details, visit the registration page listed below:
NEWS
We are passing on this message from our Senior Advisor Kamala Masters. If you feel inclined, you may send a donation to the Vipassana Metta Foundation at https://vipassanametta.org/wp/donations/
Dear Friends
My heart is heavy to let you know that my husband Steve Armstrong, peacefully passed away with me by his side, on December 23, 2025. We waited until the festive holidays were over to give you this message.
A private cere1mony was held on the Maui Dhamma Sanctuary, our home. His cremains were respectfully interred into the earth, with the sharing of merit, and prayers for continuing his journey with the Dhamma in his heart.
You are welcome to leave condolences and memories here (on caringbridge.org). They will be checked when possible. I would appreciate your understanding for some time to have some solitude and rest in the meantime.
This message was posted on caringbridge.org on Sunday, January 4, 2026 by Kamala Masters
If you want to attend any of our Thursday night talks remotely via Zoom (January 8 through March 26), use this button at the time of the meeting to join in.
Optionally, you may download and import this iCalendar (.ics) file (click here) to your calendar system.
If you don’t have a computer/smartphone/internet access, you can still join a meeting by regular phone. Simply find your local number to dial (https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kgzz84Yos) and enter the Meeting ID: 862 9909 1295 & Passcode: 115163.
Note: When Zoom is an option for any event at SIM, you can always locate the Join Meeting link by checking our calendar (click here) for the specific day and time of the event of interest. If a meeting link ever fails, try this alternate link https://www.zoom.us/join and manually enter the posted meeting ID and passcode.
Starting April 2, 2026, the Join Meeting on Zoom details will change to use Meeting ID: 894 1555 3957 and Passcode: 538462.
Registration is now open for this five week online course facilitated by SIM Teacher Walt Opie.
This course explores each of the Seven Factors of Awakening and learn how we can cultivate them more deliberately in our own practice for a greater sense of well-being. These factors include: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equipoise. It’s said that these factors, or treasures, have healing potential and lead to awakening or Nibbana.
This course meets remotely via Zoom for five consecutive Tuesday evenings on February 10, 17, 24, and March 3,10, 2026 from 7pm to 8:30pm.
For registration details, visit https://sactoinsight.org/event/7-factors-awaken-2026/.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Currently our website is experiencing minor problems with how some of our calendar events display in a list. We are currently working on the issue and thank you for your patience.
Click the following link and provide your RSVP to our 2025 Holiday Gathering happening December 18th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. We hope you can join us!
Rooted in the Dharma: Creating the Future Together
Dear SIM Friends,
What a remarkable year it has been! Thanks to your generosity and dedication on, our sangha has flourished, creating a vibrant community where the Dharma comes alive and nourishes all who participate.
The heart of this vitality lies with our teachers, whose offerings have guided our practice throughout the year.
Diana Clark, Walt Opie, and Vance Pryor joined us this year with fresh perspectives, offering inspiring talks, daylong retreats, courses, and a transformative weeklong residential retreat at the Mercy Center in Auburn this spring. At the same me, Dennis Warren, Diane Wilde, and Rich Howard continued to share their steady wisdom and guidance, along with our dedicated visiting teachers Tony Bernhard, Seth Castleman, JD Doyle, and Heather Sundberg. Together, these teachers have made this year a me of deep learning, connection, and inspiration.
This year, SIM offered four rich courses: A Year to Live, Experiencing Insight, Beginning Meditation, and The Five Hindrances. These programs provided opportunities for deepening practice and reflect on. We also hosted a talk series on The Buddha’s An dotes to Challenging Times, supported by kalyāṇami a groups and the October mini-retreat which offered practical support for bringing the teachings into daily life.
Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff, including the Operations Manager, Web_Manager/Bookkeeper, and AV support, have provided a strong and steady foundation. Their work ensures that every program runs smoothly and allows our teachers and Board members to focus fully on offering the Dharma.
Looking ahead, our Board and faculty remain committed to SIM’s five-year plan, strengthening our teaching, leadership, and community. These efforts are helping SIM grow as a refuge for practice and awakening, and we are excited for what the next year will bring.
Your support has made all this possible. Our Rooted in the Dharma fundraising campaign was a wonderful success, sustaining and strengthening SIM’s programs and foundation. Even so, the year-end period remains a special opportunity to help ensure that our momentum continues into the new year and beyond.
With your continued generosity, SIM will thrive and remain rooted in the Dharma for generations to come. You can support SIM in these ways:
If you are 70½ years old, make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from a traditional IRA Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to the Dharma. Together, we create a living expression of wisdom and compassion that touches our community and beyond.
With gratitude,
Amy Kovak, on behalf of the SIM Board of Directors and Faculty
Make a one- me donation or set up a recurring monthly contribution
Increase your monthly contribution (Contact Us)
This holiday season, SIM is once again participating in the Saint John’s Adopt-a-Family Program. Our goal is to raise $1,500 to purchase gifts for a family, helping bring warmth and joy to women and children who are working hard to build brighter futures.
Any funds raised beyond what is needed for holiday gifts will go toward SIM’s monthly meal for St. John’s residents. Each month, SIM volunteers shop for groceries, cook, and serve a comforting dinner of meatloaf, broccoli, rice, salad, and clementines for more than 80 people. This cherished tradition costs about $300 each month and is deeply appreciated by all who share in it.
Your generosity helps keep this beautiful circle of giving alive. Thank you for helping us make the season brighter for the women and children at St. John’s Program for Real Change.
NOTICE: We thank everyone that helped make this 2025 adopt-a-family campaign a success and the donation link is no longer accepting donations. Throughout the year, you may still contribute to support the meal program. For more information, click here.
To make a general donation to Sacramento Insight Meditation, click here.
We hope you’ll join us in SIM’s Beginning Meditation course. Participants meet for six weeks on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm from January 6 through February 10, with a daylong retreat on Saturday, January 31 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the course overview page.
The following link includes all registration details, or you can visit https://sactoinsight.org/event/beginning-meditation-2026jan/
Announcement: Faculty Update
We’d like to share that Vance Pryor, who joined our SIM Faculty and leadership team earlier this year, has decided to step down from this core teaching and administrative role to focus on his teaching and other endeavors.
We are deeply grateful for Vance’s contributions to SIM during this past year and for the wisdom and care he brings to his teaching. We’re pleased that he will continue his relationship with SIM as a visiting teacher and remains committed to teaching our 2028 residential retreat with Diana Clark and Walt Opie.
We wish Vance all the best as he continues his work in sharing the Dharma, and we look forward to welcoming him back to teach at SIM in the future.