07/02/2020 “Considering the Precepts” with Tony Bernhard

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06/25/2020 “We Are In A Societal Revolution!” with Diane Wilde

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We are living through an incredible period, with impermanence being displayed in all its glory on a daily basis. Each day brings another jarring event, both sociologically, medically and personally. It’s truly revolutionary what’s taking place. The Buddha lived in revolutionary times as well, and there are some parallels which can provide guidance during these challenging times. How do we live lives of meaning when fear prevents us from socializing? How do we contend with those with whom we firmly disagree? How can we welcome others not just into our sangha, but into our lives? Essentially, we are looking for ways to create a kinder wiser society which is beginning to emerge from the current chaos. It’s a real revolution!

Confronting Racism with Mindfulness (15 pg paper by Bhikkhu Anālayo)Download
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COVID-19 Resource List, Financial

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For the benefit of SIM’s community, our Board of Directors have provided this additional COVID-19 Resources List.

State/Federal Aid

Sacramento Utilities

Business Loan Programs

  • SBA Coronavirus Relief Loans – The SBA is allowing small businesses statewide to apply for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million with interest rates at 2.75% for nonprofits and 3.75% for small businesses. Repayment can extend up to 30 years. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
  • Women’s Economic Venture’s Quick Response Loans – Women’s Economic Venture’s is offering local small businesses impacted by COVID-19 up to $10,000 in hardship loans with 4.5% interest rates and 36-month term. First payment is deferred for three months https://www.wevonline.org/loans-2/quick- response-loans/
  • Sacramento Small Business Economic Emergency Relief Loan – A $1 million fund for businesses to borrow up to $25,000 if they were impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. (NOTE: Fund is currently exhausted and not taking new applications. Businesses should check back if additional funding becomes available.) http://www.cityofsacramento.org/covid19-relief
  • COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund – The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County is issuing grants to help businesses with fewer than 500 employees in the county to avoid layoffs. Applicants must demonstrate a need for layoff aversion support due to the impacts of COVID-19. https://solanoemployment.org/layoff-aversion-fund

Legal & Medical Care Assistance

Financial Resources (.pdf)Download

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06/18/2020 “Generosity” with Dennis Warren

Generosity – What Is So Badly Needed at This Moment

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It is reported that the Historical Buddha, when speaking to community groups and practitioners, would always begin his talks with a discussion of the meaning and importance of generosity. This is because the Buddha considered generosity the pathway to compassion, wisdom and ethical conduct.
This evening with be an exploration and discussion of this quality of mind and heart which seems so badly needed at this particular moment in our country’s history.
This will include an examination of the meaning of generosity; a practical model for evaluating the role generosity plays in our individual lives; and realistic ways to experiment with bringing more of it into our lives, relationships and our engagement with social, economic, cultural and political issues.

Here’s the flyer to a 9-week course that Dennis Warren will be teaching, Living on the Other Side of Suffering – An Experiment in Opening the Heart and Becoming More Fully Human.

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Living On The Other Side of Suffering (9-week course)

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Living On The Other Side of Suffering:
An Experiment In Balancing Practice And Becoming More Fully Human

An Nine Week Course and One Day Retreat with SIM’s Founding Teacher Dennis Warren

For more information about this course, visit the course overview page.

Registration – Get Tickets

Before making the $35 registration payment, click here to review the terms of use for this website.

Currently the course is full (Tickets show a message Sold Out) however please add your name to the wait list (click here) and we’ll contact you about any spots that may open up. If you need to contact the course registrar with any other questions, click here.

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06/11/2020 “Freedom” with Rich Howard

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The word “freedom” means different things to different people, depending on what limits are imposed on them. Currently, many people are calling for “freedom” from the public health guidelines that ask us to keep physical distance from others and not gather in large groups. The idea of “freedom” in the Buddhist psychology has a very different context. For many, the aspiration for practicing meditative awareness is freedom from greed hatred and delusion, freedom from “suffering.” This freedom has the potential to lead to cessation, “the unshakeable liberation of mind.” Let’s explore some meanings of freedom, the ways recommended by the Buddha for approaching and finding freedom, and how we might apply these teachings to our current cirumstances.

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06/04/2020 “Two Kinds of Thought” with Walt Opie

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Here are a few points that were mentioned in this talk:

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Metta Offering from Kamala Masters, June 5th

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Dear Friends,

With the heartbreaking news of recent events, I have found much refuge in the simplicity and directness of metta meditation practice. As a result, I am moved to share this practice and to support a larger coming-together of our sangha in metta offering. I would be honored if you would join me and an online community of other practitioners at this time.

  • When: Friday, June 5th, 8AM Hawaii, 11AM PT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 8PM Europe. For other time zones we plan to share a recording on the Vipassana Metta Foundation website following the gathering.
  • What: 40 minutes of guided metta
  • Where: Zoom
  • Fee: None, this is a dāna offering. If you are moved to give in response, please see below.
  • Who can join: Anyone who is interested. Please feel free to share this invite with others who might like to join.

Metta practice—offering unconditional goodwill—deeply supports us, as well as all beings, as we navigate these very difficult times. In addition to the goodwill we are offering to others, our practice also calms, stabilizes, and unifies our minds, hearts, and bodies. This helps us greatly to act and speak with wisdom and compassion, which is so important to bring to the world now.

As mentioned above, this a dāna offering, this means there is no request for registration fee or teacher dāna. If you are compelled to offer dāna, please share this dāna with any group or organization your heart opens to help.

With metta and my thanks for your consideration,
Kamala

Video recording “Guided Metta for Turbulent Times“

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Protected: Questionnaire – 2020 Annual Retreat Interest

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