NEWS

Announcement: Faculty Update

Announcement: Faculty Update

Vance Pryor

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.

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Registration Now Open (From Meditation Obstacles to Meditation Objects)

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Registration is now open for this four week online course facilitated by SIM Teacher Diana Clark.

As anyone who has tried to establish a meditation practice knows, different mind states often arise that make meditation (and living our wisest life) difficult. Please join us as we explore and discuss well-known obstructions, the “Five Hindrances.” In this course we’ll explore how to skillfully address sensual desire, ill will, sloth & torpor, restlessness & worry and doubt using mindfulness and practical antidotes. We’ll practice how to turn these potential stumbling blocks into stepping stones to greater ease and happiness. The course will include talks, guided meditations and discussions. 

This course meets remotely via Zoom for four consecutive Tuesday evenings on November 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm.
For registration details, visit https://sactoinsight.org/event/5-hindrances-2025/

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Three-Day Teacher Weekend with Vance Pryor

Join us for the final 2025 teacher weekend! Vance Pryor will be in Sacramento for the Thursday night sit and Dharma talk, an informal gathering on Friday, and the Saturday daylong retreat. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice with Vance and get to know him better. We hope you can join us! 

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Kalyāṇamitta Groups for The Buddha’s Antidotes for Challenging Times

This August, SIM is launching a new opportunity to help our community connect more deeply with the Dhamma and with each other. As part of our upcoming six week talk series, The Buddha’s Antidotes for Challenging Times, we invite you to join a Kalyāṇamitta group — a small circle of spiritual friends who will explore these teachings together.

About the Talk Series
The series will offer practical teachings on timeless qualities that can help us meet difficult times with wisdom and care:

  • August 21 — Introduction & Karuṇā (Compassion)
  • August 28 — Mettā (Loving-kindness)
  • September 4 — Gratitude
  • September 11 — Forgiveness
  • September 18 — Generosity
  • September 25 — Equanimity & Wrap-up

How it works

  • Groups can meet weekly or biweekly during the series.
  • Groups can meet in person, on Zoom, or a mix — whatever works best for everyone.

Why try it?
Gathering in spiritual friendship helps bring the teachings to life, creates connection, and reminds us that we don’t walk this path alone — especially in challenging times.

How to join
If you’d like to be part of a kalyāṇamitta group for this series, please sign up by August 15 by filling out the form below. We’ll create the groups and send out an email with your other group members.

Questions? Please reach out to David Guerrieri, davidg@sactoinsight.org

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Upcoming SIM Courses – Save the Dates

We’re delighted to share some new opportunities to explore core teachings of the Buddha together at SIM. Each course will be offered via Zoom so you can join from wherever you are.
Whether you’re new to these teachings or wish to deepen your understanding, we invite you to join us and strengthen your practice. Click here to view the registration pages for these courses.

Teacher: Diana Clark

Practicing with the Five Hindrances

This online course meets 4 consecutive Tuesday evenings – November 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025

For course details, visit https://sactoinsight.org/activities/study-groups/the-five-hindrances/

Teacher: Walt Opie

The Seven Factors of Awakening

This online course meets 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings – February 10, 17, 24, and March 3,10, 2026

For course details, visit https://sactoinsight.org/activities/study-groups/the-seven-factors-of-awakening/

Questions?

If you have any questions, use the following form to contact our course registrar.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Regarding(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

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Join Us for a SIM Community Event – July 17

Tree inside a lotus medallion.

Rooted in the Dharma: A Celebration of Generosity
Join us for a special evening of community and celebration as we mark the success of our Five-Year Pledge Campaign and look ahead to the opportunities unfolding in our sangha.

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With Deep Gratitude – Celebrating Our Pledge Campaign Success

Tree inside a lotus medallion.

Dear Friends,

We’re thrilled to share the incredible success of our pledge campaign.

A heartfelt thank you to the 34 generous donors who have pledged a total of $32,750 annually—bringing us to an astounding $163,750 over the next five years. That’s 99% of our $165,000 goal! What we’ve achieved together is truly something to celebrate.

This extraordinary outcome reflects the strength of our community and the deep commitment we all share to SIM’s future. Your support ensures that our vision is not just a dream, but a living reality for years to come.

As we conclude the active phase of the campaign, please know the pledge form will remain open. If you’d still like to join in or adjust your existing pledge, you’re always welcome to do so.

With deep gratitude and joy,

Amy Kovak

On behalf of the SIM Board

To Make a Pledge

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name:(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
How I Will Pay:(Required)

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We’re Almost There — Pledge Campaign

Tree inside a lotus medallion.

We’re Almost There—Let’s Finish Strong!

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve already raised 92% of our goal for Rooted in the Dharma: Creating the Future Together. Your support is helping bring SIM’s Five-Year Plan to life by expanding our teachings, supporting leadership, and strengthening our community and infrastructure.

We’re just $13,350 away from fully funding this vision.

If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, we invite you to help us close the gap this week. Even small gifts make a big difference.

Whether you’re able to give $10 or $100, your support matters. Every offering helps SIM grow into a vibrant future rooted in the Dharma.

Let’s turn this shared aspiration into a lasting reality.

To Make a Pledge

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name:(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
How I Will Pay:(Required)

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Tea with Diana (Friday, May 30)

Please join us in welcoming our new faculty member, Diana Clark, to the SIM community. CLICK HERE for details and to RSVP.

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Status on the Pledge Campaign

Tree inside a lotus medallion.

We’re Two-Thirds of the Way There—Can You Help Us Reach Our Goal?

Thanks to the generosity of 19 donors, we’ve raised $26,530—80% of our $33,000 annual goal!

As we enter the second half of our pledge drive, we’re inviting everyone in the sangha to participate. Every gift truly matters. Whether it’s $600, $300, or $100, your contribution supports the community and helps bring our five-year vision to life.

We’ve made wonderful progress toward our goal. Many of the larger gifts have already been pledged—now we’re looking to build the foundation with gifts $600 or less.

Can you join us?

Suggested Giving Structure

Our pledge drive is rooted in the Dharma and built on collective effort. Help us create the future together.

With deep gratitude,

Amy Kovak

SIM Board President on behalf of the SIM Board and Faculty

To Make a Pledge, visit https://sactoinsight.org/generosity/sim-5-year-pledge-campaign/.

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