Join us for SIM’s Residential Retreat at the beautiful Mercy Center in Auburn, CA from Sunday, August 28, 5:00 PM through Sunday, September 4, 2022, 11:00 AM. Please read through the information below. We will update this registration page as further details are announced.
Retreat Theme: Awareness, Wisdom & Love
Awareness is a natural capacity of the mind that is available to all of us in any moment no matter what is happening in our experience. When the mind is relaxed and at ease, this natural awareness can be recognized and integrated into our lives. When we combine a receptive, kindhearted attitude with relaxed yet diligent effort, we create the conditions for insight, wisdom, and compassion to arise naturally.
Through this process, we see directly for ourselves what leads to well-being and freedom and what leads to suffering, both in our own life and in the world around us. As our understanding deepens, we begin to live our lives from a place of greater balance, integrity, confidence, and connection.
This silent retreat will include instruction in both Insight and Loving-kindness meditation, meetings with the teachers, and an optional daily period of mindful movement. It is suitable for both beginning and experienced students of meditation.
We encourage you to consider the following questions before registering:
- Do you have a regular practice?
- Do you have a home sangha or group that you sit with?
- Have you sat at a residential retreat before?
If you have questions about whether this retreat is appropriate for you, please contact us, click here.
Our retreat teachers this year will be Senior Teacher Greg Scharf and Teacher Neesha Patel.
GREG SCHARF, an Insight Meditation Society guiding teacher, 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.
NEESHA PATEL, PhD is deeply grateful for the liberative teachings of the Buddha. She has been fortunate to have practiced in both Asia and the US. Her practice has been influenced by the guidance of many wonderful teachers including Sayadaw U Tejaniya and Thai Forest Tradition teachers. She teaches mindfulness meditation at UC Davis and is a participant in the 2017-2021 Insight Meditation Society Teacher Training Program.
(Retreat teachers biographical info)
Cost
The registration fee will be $900 with an opportunity to later make a donation to support the retreat teachers. The registration fee covers the costs of accommodations, meals, and administration. You can opt to pay the fee in full or make a deposit to hold your spot and pay the balance by June 15th.
Registration
This retreat accommodates 25 to 31 registrants.
Registration is closed but we encourage you to add your name to the waitlist as plans can change and space may open prior to the start of the retreat.
Add Your Name to the Waitlist
Use the RSVP form below to add your name to the waitlist and then be on the lookout for any emails from @sactoinsight.org. The registrar will contact you with important details that can affect your place in the queue.
Scholarships
We encourage you to pay the full registration fee if your finances allow you to do so; however, in recognition of the challenging year many have had, partial scholarships are available if needed. To request a partial scholarship, pay a $225 deposit fee after registration opens and before May 20th. Then watch for a follow-up email from the retreat registrar. SIM has a limited number of partial scholarships available based on need. If the $225 deposit payment is currently not possible, contact the retreat registrar to apply for a scholarship with other options.
Scholarship Donations
If you’d like to contribute into the scholarship fund to help someone else be able to afford this special dharma opportunity, enter the amount you’d like to donate in the box below. Donating into the fund won’t register you for the retreat.
[give_form id=”7161″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”]
Cancellations
- Through May 20th, full refund if requested by this date.
- May 21st through June 15th, deposit will be retained by SIM; balance paid is refundable.
- On or after June 16th, deposit will be retained by SIM. Balance may be refundable if the spot is filled by a wait listed person. Otherwise, the balance will not be refunded. A waiver of this policy will be considered in limited circumstances based on request demonstrating financial hardship.
Schedule – Summary of Dates
- April 20, 2022 – Registration opens; online payments accepted.
- May 20, 2022 – Last day to request full refund (see cancellation policy listed above).
- May 20, 2022 – Last day to request a scholarship (see scholarship details listed above).
- June 15, 2022 – Last day to request refund of balance paid (see cancellation policy listed above).
- June 15, 2022 – Registration payment in full due.
- TBD – Registration closes, date to be announced.
- August 28, 2022, 5:00 PM – The retreat begins (check-in starts at 3:30 PM).
- September 4, 2022, 11:00 AM – The retreat ends (check-out at 11:00 AM).
COVID-19 Protocols
Our priority is to protect the wellbeing of everyone who attends the SIM Annual Retreat. The SIM Board will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and required and recommended safety measures from federal, State and local health agencies, and the Mercy Center, with consideration of our Sangha demographics.
At a minimum, we will require proof of vaccinations and boosters (if eligible) for COVID-19 at least two weeks before the retreat, along with proof of COVID rapid testing within 24 hours prior to attending and a second rapid test two days into the retreat (SIM will provide tests if needed).
Additional protocols will very likely include masking when indoors with others, and social distancing as space allows.
SIM will update the protocols to reflect the situation in the summer.
Questions for the Registrar?
If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.
Audio Dharma
Some of the dharma talks for this retreat were recorded. If you attended this retreat, click here and enter the password to access the recordings.
Registration Tickets
2022 SIM Residential Retreat with Senior Teacher Greg Scharf and Teacher Neesha Patel
RetreatAugust 31 @ 2:58 am
Join us for SIM’s Residential Retreat at the beautiful Mercy Center in Auburn, CA from Sunday, August 28, 5:00 PM through Sunday, September 4, 2022, 11:00 AM. Please read through the information below. We will update this registration page as further details are announced.
Retreat Theme: Awareness, Wisdom & Love
Awareness is a natural capacity of the mind that is available to all of us in any moment no matter what is happening in our experience. When the mind is relaxed and at ease, this natural awareness can be recognized and integrated into our lives. When we combine a receptive, kindhearted attitude with relaxed yet diligent effort, we create the conditions for insight, wisdom, and compassion to arise naturally.
Through this process, we see directly for ourselves what leads to well-being and freedom and what leads to suffering, both in our own life and in the world around us. As our understanding deepens, we begin to live our lives from a place of greater balance, integrity, confidence, and connection.
This silent retreat will include instruction in both Insight and Loving-kindness meditation, meetings with the teachers, and an optional daily period of mindful movement. It is suitable for both beginning and experienced students of meditation.
We encourage you to consider the following questions before registering:
If you have questions about whether this retreat is appropriate for you, please contact us, click here.
Our retreat teachers this year will be Senior Teacher Greg Scharf and Teacher Neesha Patel.
Cost
The registration fee will be $900 with an opportunity to later make a donation to support the retreat teachers. The registration fee covers the costs of accommodations, meals, and administration. You can opt to pay the fee in full or make a deposit to hold your spot and pay the balance by June 15th.
Registration
This retreat accommodates 25 to 31 registrants.
Registration is closed but we encourage you to add your name to the waitlist as plans can change and space may open prior to the start of the retreat.
Add Your Name to the Waitlist
Use the RSVP form below to add your name to the waitlist and then be on the lookout for any emails from @sactoinsight.org. The registrar will contact you with important details that can affect your place in the queue.
Scholarships
We encourage you to pay the full registration fee if your finances allow you to do so; however, in recognition of the challenging year many have had, partial scholarships are available if needed. To request a partial scholarship, pay a $225 deposit fee after registration opens and before May 20th. Then watch for a follow-up email from the retreat registrar. SIM has a limited number of partial scholarships available based on need. If the $225 deposit payment is currently not possible, contact the retreat registrar to apply for a scholarship with other options.
Scholarship Donations
If you’d like to contribute into the scholarship fund to help someone else be able to afford this special dharma opportunity, enter the amount you’d like to donate in the box below. Donating into the fund won’t register you for the retreat.
[give_form id=”7161″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”]
Cancellations
Schedule – Summary of Dates
COVID-19 Protocols
Our priority is to protect the wellbeing of everyone who attends the SIM Annual Retreat. The SIM Board will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and required and recommended safety measures from federal, State and local health agencies, and the Mercy Center, with consideration of our Sangha demographics.
At a minimum, we will require proof of vaccinations and boosters (if eligible) for COVID-19 at least two weeks before the retreat, along with proof of COVID rapid testing within 24 hours prior to attending and a second rapid test two days into the retreat (SIM will provide tests if needed).
Additional protocols will very likely include masking when indoors with others, and social distancing as space allows.
SIM will update the protocols to reflect the situation in the summer.
Questions for the Registrar?
If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.
Audio Dharma
Some of the dharma talks for this retreat were recorded. If you attended this retreat, click here and enter the password to access the recordings.
Registration Tickets
01/27/2022 “The Paramis” with Rich Howard
Audio DharmaDeveloping a Mind/Heart of Peace The Paramis are qualities of heart that when developed bring the highest blessing, which is peace. In honor of the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh, Rich will use illustrations from the beloved Zen Master’s life for development of the Paramis in daily life. We will see how Thay embodied patience, renunciation, determination, truthfulness, and other qualities of the heart to bring peace at the individual, community, and global scales. Please bring a story of how you have been influenced by Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching, in person, online, or through his writing: a short quote, a song, a poem, or one of his books. We have invited special guest Helen Hobart to share her experience practicing with Thay.
Rich donated all the dana he received from the presentation to the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
Special 2021-Tax Note
NewsSIM 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.
01/20/2022 “Healing and Our Biographical Narratives” with Dennis Warren
Audio DharmaBuddhist practice has a unique approach to problem solving and healing. The teachings, methods and underlying psychology dismantle the confusing, and sometimes overwhelming, emotional energy of difficult reactive patterns and our attachment to a biographical narrative that identifies us as damaged. This approach focuses on how we relate to the narrative, not the biographical details of the narrative.
This evening will explore two practical questions:
The subject matter of this evening is appropriate for all stages of practice.
(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Tony Bernhard
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationFebruary 24, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm PST
Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Tony Bernhard
TONY BERNHARD is a Buddhist chaplain and teacher. He maintains an active practice with inmates in Folsom Prison and hosts sitting groups in Davis. He sits on the board of the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies and teaches regularly around the bay area and central valley. His practice is non-traditional, guided by his chaplaincy work in prison, his teaching and by his study of the early Pali scriptures.
Join online meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89889799049 , Passcode: 409553
Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 ( Meeting ID: 898 8979 9049 )
Hybrid (in-person and online)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
01/13/2022 “Have a Little Faith!” with Seth Castleman
Audio Dharma(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk – Rich Howard – Compassion Fatigue
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationMarch 17, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm PDT
Talk topic: Compassion Fatigue
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard
As practitioners of mindful awareness, we want to remain openhearted to the suffering in the world. Our practice teaches us to turn toward conditions as they are, without needing to avoid unpleasant sensations, emotions, or thoughts. This openheartedness leads naturally to compassion, the impulse to take action on behalf of those who are experiencing suffering. However, Western psychology has recognized a condition called “compassion fatigue,” the “secondary trauma” that can result from helping others and that may lead to diminished capacity to empathize or feel compassion. Given all the suffering in the world and our access to it via global media, we may be overwhelmed and start to shut down to the world and those close to us. This evening, we will take a look at how our practice may help us recognize compassion fatigue as it develops and maintain an open heart.
Join online meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83869249314 , Passcode: 053925
Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 ( Meeting ID: 838 6924 9314 )
[give_form id=”10304″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”]
Please use the form above to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and 75% of your donation will be shared with Rich Howard.
Hybrid (in-person and online)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
(Remote) Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Neesha Patel
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationFebruary 3, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm PST
Talk Topic: to be announced
Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Senior Teacher Neesha Patel
Join online meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82385489991
Passcode: 368028
Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 ( Meeting ID: 823 8548 9991 )
For tips and instructions on how to participate, check this news blog.
NEESHA PATEL, PhD is deeply grateful for the liberative teachings of the Buddha. She has been fortunate to have practiced in both Asia and the US. Her practice has been influenced by the guidance of many wonderful teachers including Sayadaw U Tejaniya and Thai Forest Tradition teachers. She teaches mindfulness meditation at UC Davis and is a participant in the 2017-2021 Insight Meditation Society Teacher Training Program.
Remote Meeting Zoom
Online Only Events Until Feb 8
COVID-19, NewsDue to the current widespread and worsening outbreak of the Covid omicron variant the SIM Board of Directors unanimously passed a new policy effective immediately suspending all in-person activitiesat Sacramento Dharma Center until February 8th, 2022. Our regular Thursday evening meditation and dharma talks, the ongoing faculty-led courses and end-of the-month daylong retreat will be presented online only. Please find links for those events on our calendar.
This decision was made after careful consideration by the Board of all the relevant factors needed to ensure for the health of the sangha, faculty and visiting teachers during the current pandemic.
We appreciate your acceptance and understanding of this decision and look forward to meeting you in-person soon.
On behalf of the SIM Board of Directors,
Jon Siiteri
01/06/2022 “Are You Listening?” with Diane Wilde
Audio DharmaDid you know that listening is a learned skill? Unlike speech which comes naturally to us, REALLY listening isn’t an innate trait. Why is that? Listening requires taming the ego-driven addiction to being center stage, and trying to take over another’s “air time”. To speak is to articulate words that convey meaning, and to listen is to understand the true intent behind words being spoken. When the Buddha spoke about Right Speech, he was including both sides of the communication equation; skillful means of intentional speech as well as intentional listening. Skillful listening means listening mindfully to others, especially when we habitually discount what “they” have to say. It also means listening deeply to our own innate wisdom, which we too frequently ignore because it may not align with our long-held beliefs about ourselves. Learning how to deeply listen is a skill that changes attitudes and beliefs as well as enhancing empathy and community. Deep listening is a great skill to learn for the new year.