Starting April 6th, “Living on the Other Side of Suffering: An Experiment In Balancing Practice and Becoming More Fully Human” begins. This is an eleven-week course facilitated by SIM Founding teacher Dennis Warren. Through March 23rd, registration is open to anyone enrolling for the first time. If space is available after this date, folks who’ve previously taken the course should first contact the teacher to get permission to enroll in this Spring session.

SIM is grateful for all our donors and we’ve already emailed tax letters to those who’ve donated $250 or more in 2021. If you have not received the tax letter (dated Jan 25, 2022) and you think you should have, please check your email Inbox, as well as your Spam or Junk folders. If you still don’t find it, please contact SaraD@sactoinsight.org.

Please join me in welcoming Jon Siiteri as President of the Sacramento Insight Meditation Board of Directors. Our SIM community is fortunate to have Jon assume this leadership position.

Jon’s professional credentials include a doctoral degree in endocrinology and over twenty years of clinical practice as a Physician Assistant, specializing in urology. He also taught aspiring NP/PA students at the university level.  Even while pursuing this busy career Jon maintained an active volunteer presence in organizations that included the Buddhist Pathways Prison Project and the Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals.  Recently retired from clinical practice, Jon is devoting his time to further service. Jon was accepted to this year’s Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy program, where he is studying with Gil Fronsdal and other senior teachers.  And he’s generously taking on the SIM Board Presidency!

Consistent with their proud Finnish heritage, Jon and his wife Becky are lovers of the outdoors, the natural world and taking hot saunas.  They are avid campers, hikers and members of the California Alpine Club, and Jon is frequently on the move running and biking.   Jon’s devotion to his wife, son and extended family are evident to all who know him.

Jon has already made significant contributions to our community as a member of the SIM Board, his skillful role in helping to craft a plan for our return to the Sacramento Dharma Center last July being only one example.  In addition to his keen intelligence and superior organizational skills, Jon’s patience, kindness, and ability to listen wholeheartedly will serve our community well during his presidency.  Jon’s good heart shines forth in all that he does.  Next time you see Jon please congratulate him, thank him, and ask him what you can do to help support him in his new role. 

These last four years serving as President of the Sacramento Insight Meditation Board has been an honor, a privilege, and an opportunity for me to grow.  I am delighted to turn this important work over to someone as capable and committed as Jon.

I’d also like to express gratitude to all members of our outstanding Board for their devoted leadership and hard work.  Special thanks to Tony Pruitt who will replace Jon as Vice President and a member of our finance committee as part of this transition.  We are also delighted to welcome Karen Tercho to our Board.  Please thank both of them as well when you get a chance.

With gratitude to every one of you,

Cathy Vigran