NEWS

Big Day of Giving 2026

SIM has participated in the Big Day of Giving (BDOG) for several years now. It is the premier fundraising effort for nonprofit organizations throughout the Sacramento Region. This year, we would like to have our most successful campaign ever, and you can help! Volunteers have already stepped up to write stories of how SIM benefits the community for our fundraising web page. In addition, we have folks to help in acknowledging donors on the day of the event, Thursday May 7.

You can reach out to your circle to encourage them to donate, spreading the word about our vibrant community. Feel free to post on social media; this can bring in donors who are new to SIM but believe in the healing power of meditation and mindful awareness. Encourage them to donate from May 1 to May 7. Thanks for your support of SIM’s mission!

DONATE NOW


What is Big Day of Giving?
Big Day of Giving is a once-annual 24-hour giving challenge to help local nonprofits raise funds to make a difference in the Sacramento region. It’s the culmination of an entire year’s worth of community-building and collaboration led by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, with support from community partners like Western Health Advantage, and made possible by people like you!


How can I help?
GIVE: You can donate to SIM by visiting www.bigdayofgiving.org on or before Thursday, May 7, and making a gift with a credit or debit card (donations from May 1-7 are especially welcome!).

  • Donations as little as $10 make a big difference
  • Your gifts can help us win some of the prizes that are up for grabs!
  • Give with a Golden 1 Credit Union debit or credit card to boost your impact. Golden 1 Credit Union is proportionately matching its members’ gifts — up to $100,000!

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Thursday Night Talks Zoom Link (Apr-May-Jun)

Join Meeting Now

If you want to attend any of our Thursday night talks remotely via Zoom (April 2 through June 25), 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. If you’re in California, dial 1-669-900-6833. To find a local number in a different state or country, visit (https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kgzz84Yos).
After you dial the Join-Zoom number, enter the Meeting ID: 894 1555 3957  &  Passcode: 538462.

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 July 2, 2026, the Join Meeting on Zoom details will change to use Meeting ID: to be announced and Passcode: to be announced.

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Three-Day Teacher Weekend with Walt Opie

Join us for a 2026 teacher weekend! This is a wonderful opportunity to practice with Walt and get to know him better. We hope you can join us! 

RSVP to a tea time

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Friday Tea(Required)
Have a comment or question for us? Do tell.

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Registration Open for Non-Residential Retreat

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.

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Update on SIM Senior Advisor Steve Armstrong

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

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Registration Now Open (Cultivating The Seven Factors of Awakening)

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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/.

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Website Calendar Display

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.

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You’re Invited to Our Holiday Gathering

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!

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End-of-Year Message from the SIM Board

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)

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Adopt-a-Family: Spread Holiday Joy with SIM!

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.

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