Dear sangha members,

As a member of the Sacramento Insight Meditation community and past member of the SIM Board of Directors I’m thinking about the many things that need to be done to keep our sangha healthy and thriving and about the stresses that these multiple obligations place on our Board.  I am hoping to develop a support team of sangha members who can help the Board and contribute to our community in a variety of ways.  I will be reaching out to initiate conversations with some and you, and would love to hear from anyone, so that I can learn how you are feeling about your connection SIM and whether you would be willing to take a phone call from a Board member, now or in the future, to discuss helping with a particular project.  You would be under no obligation to say “yes”, just to consider helping if asked.  Our conversation will also include discussing your interests and your skills to see what type of contribution you would find most appropriate and enjoyable.  I’ll be looking forward to these conversations and to strengthening our bonds of sangha.  Feel free to drop me a note at cathy@sactoinsight.org.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Cathy Vigran

After a long break, the SDC-sponsored Climate Sangha will begin meeting again each month in the library and on Zoom. The Sangha meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30 pm to explore the intersection of the climate crisis and Buddhism. Diane Wilde and Rich Howard, dharma teachers who led the first version of the Climate Sangha for many years, were an important part of planning and encouragement for version 2.0. Read more …

Join us for our Residential Retreat at the beautiful Mercy Center in Auburn, CA from Sunday, November 12 through Sunday November 19, 2023. We are fortunate to have Senior Teacher Greg Scharf (who is a Guiding Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society) leading our retreat this year.

GREG SCHARF has practiced with Western and Asian teachers in the Theravada tradition since 1992. He has been teaching residential retreats since 2007, including the annual Three-Month Retreat at IMS. Greg’s love of nature and the outdoors deeply informs both his practice and teaching.

We’ve posted additional information about this retreat – registration opens on Saturday, September 9, 2023. For more information visit https://sactoinsight.org/event/2023-sim-residential-retreat/.

As you may be aware, SIM’s Founding Teacher was involved in a major accident on February 19 resulting in fractures of five (5) vertebrates and one (1) rib. He is doing well in recovery and rehab. His first post-accident presentation will be on Thursday, April 13. It will focus on dealing with unexpected life events. He is planning on leading the monthly one-day retreat on Saturday, April 29.

(This update was initially published on 3/4/23 and revised on 3/31/23)

We’re pleased to announce this online mini-retreat.

• Runs Friday 4/21 through Sunday 4/23.
• One hour morning & afternoon Zoom sessions.
• Guided meditations & mindfulness exercises.
• No prior experience necessary.
• Free to register.