Exploring Realistic Standards for Community Practice
Comparing Monastic & Community Level Practice
A One Day Retreat with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
The historical Buddha created different models of practice. One for monastics – nuns and monks – and another for community level practitioners with families whose lives are filled with obligations and responsibilities.
The practice approach we’re developing here in the West is an attempt to blend these two models. We are studying and practicing from teachings that were, for the most part, intended for monastics. These individuals were engaged in intense, deep and sophisticated practices in protected environments shielded from most of the pressures, stresses and responsibilities each of us routinely face every day. The monastic model, as well, did not involve responsibility for addressing the real-life social, economic, family and political conditions that contribute so substantially to the stress of community level practitioners.
This one-day retreat will examine the different models of practice offered by the historical Buddha. It will explore questions about, and the implications of, our attempt to blend them into a new western model. Our goal for the day will be a relaxed discussion that will help each of us establish realistic standards for our individual practices informed by historical context.
Dennis will also discuss a new 2020 SIM course entitled “Living and Practicing on the Other Side of Suffering” that is directly related to issues that will be raised during this one-day.
DENNIS WARREN is SIM’s Founding Teacher and has been teaching mindfulness, meditation and contemplative practices since 1998. He recently completed his 11th year as a Volunteer Clinical Professor in Mindfulness in the Division of Pain Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center. He is certified as a Mindfulness Teacher, Professional Level (CMT-P), by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. He is a graduate of the professional trainings in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. He also is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Medication Center’s Dharma leaders training program. You can learn more about Dennis’ background and activities at https://www.denniswarren.net/ .
Dennis has been participating in residential meditation retreats, and has maintained a daily meditation practice, in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition for over 30 years. 2018 was his 20th year of teaching Insight Meditation and mindfulness practices in residential, retreat, educational, medical, corporate and community settings. In 2007 and 2014, Dennis led month long pilgrimages and moving retreats in Thailand, India and Nepal. A third is being planned for late 2021.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha. If you prefer to make a donation for this event online using a credit card or PayPal account, click here to DONATE ONLINE.
Summary of Important Dates
- 10/28/2019 – Registration opens.
- 12/27/2019 – Registration via this website will close at 4:00 pm. After this time, please register in person at least 15 minutes before the retreat begins.
- 12/28/2019 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
Registration Details
Registration is $15.00 per person due before the start of the event. If you are able and interested in further supporting SIM financially, you have the option of a registration fee of either $25 or $35 dollars. To pay the registration fee online, use the “Tickets” section at the bottom of this page. It’s not necessary to Log in before purchasing and you won’t need to print the ticket on paper. On the left side, specify the number of people you are registering to this retreat. On the right side, click the button “Buy now” and you’ll be automatically directed to a secure webpage where your registration payment can be made by credit card as a guest (no PayPal account required) or payment can be made by PayPal after you sign-in to your PayPal account if you have one.
For the registration fee, we accept checks and cash. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information. Day-of registration will be on a first-come first-serve basis, contingent on availability of space.
Before registering to this event, click here to review the terms of use for this website.
Volunteer Opportunities
It “takes a village” to put on a large event for our community. If you would be available to assist in set-up, take-down, tea service, providing flowers or other duties for the event, please contact the retreat registrar for more information..
Questions for the Registrar?
If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.
*Daylong Retreat – Dennis Warren – Exploring Realistic Standards
RetreatExploring Realistic Standards for Community Practice
Comparing Monastic & Community Level Practice
A One Day Retreat with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
The historical Buddha created different models of practice. One for monastics – nuns and monks – and another for community level practitioners with families whose lives are filled with obligations and responsibilities.
The practice approach we’re developing here in the West is an attempt to blend these two models. We are studying and practicing from teachings that were, for the most part, intended for monastics. These individuals were engaged in intense, deep and sophisticated practices in protected environments shielded from most of the pressures, stresses and responsibilities each of us routinely face every day. The monastic model, as well, did not involve responsibility for addressing the real-life social, economic, family and political conditions that contribute so substantially to the stress of community level practitioners.
This one-day retreat will examine the different models of practice offered by the historical Buddha. It will explore questions about, and the implications of, our attempt to blend them into a new western model. Our goal for the day will be a relaxed discussion that will help each of us establish realistic standards for our individual practices informed by historical context.
Dennis will also discuss a new 2020 SIM course entitled “Living and Practicing on the Other Side of Suffering” that is directly related to issues that will be raised during this one-day.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha. If you prefer to make a donation for this event online using a credit card or PayPal account, click here to DONATE ONLINE.
Summary of Important Dates
Registration Details
Registration is $15.00 per person due before the start of the event. If you are able and interested in further supporting SIM financially, you have the option of a registration fee of either $25 or $35 dollars. To pay the registration fee online, use the “Tickets” section at the bottom of this page. It’s not necessary to Log in before purchasing and you won’t need to print the ticket on paper. On the left side, specify the number of people you are registering to this retreat. On the right side, click the button “Buy now” and you’ll be automatically directed to a secure webpage where your registration payment can be made by credit card as a guest (no PayPal account required) or payment can be made by PayPal after you sign-in to your PayPal account if you have one.
For the registration fee, we accept checks and cash. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information. Day-of registration will be on a first-come first-serve basis, contingent on availability of space.
Before registering to this event, click here to review the terms of use for this website.
Volunteer Opportunities
It “takes a village” to put on a large event for our community. If you would be available to assist in set-up, take-down, tea service, providing flowers or other duties for the event, please contact the retreat registrar for more information..
Questions for the Registrar?
If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.
*Sit & Dharma Talk – Greg Scharf – Mindfulness of Mind
Weekly MeditationMindfulness of Mind
Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Senior Teacher Greg Scharf
This talk will explore the nature of mind and will look at the Buddha’s instructions in the Third Establishment of Mindfulness in the Satipatthana Sutta.
The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most revered teachings in the Pali Canon and forms the Buddha’s single most comprehensive set of instructions for Vipassana Meditation. In the 3rd section of this discourse, Mindfulness of Mind, the Buddha describes simple but extremely powerful & liberating ways to bring awareness to the mind in meditation. This talk explores our direct experience of the mind as process, as well as offering reflections for the practical application of the Buddha’s instructions in this core teaching.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.
SIM Community Potluck (Full Moon)
Weekly MeditationEvery year, Sacramento Insight Meditation (SIM) hosts a community potluck during the holidays. This event is open to the general dharma community.
Savory or Sweet, bring a dish to share (6-8 Servings). In SIM’s tradition please bring your own plate, cup, utensils and as we attempt to go paperless, cloth napkins. Again this year we will need a few people to bring table cloth(s) and holiday decor! We will be setting up our Holiday Feast starting from 6:30 PM, and planning to eat at 7:00 PM.
A Unique Opportunity to Visit and Share
All are invited to come celebrate the holidays with our sangha, as we eat together and enjoy each other’s company. Come and visit with your SIM friends, acquaintances and dharma communities. This evening is a fun and joyful way for us to spend time getting to know one another better. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends.
This evening will be what we make of it.
There will not be a Dharma talk. Instead, as we’ve done in years past, people are invited to share of themselves. We all have something to give – our personal dana – a poem, a reading, a story, a song, a dance, a picture – whatever comes from the heart, in the spirit of the holidays. It does not have to be original. For sharing your personal dana, be mindful of the time, 4-6 minutes, so that everyone who wants to can have the opportunity to participate. To sign up for sharing your personal dana, simply RSVP in the section shown below selecting the option “Potluck plus Sharing”.
If you have questions about the “talent”/dharma sharing part of the evening, contact Miriam Greenberg.
You can also contact Barbara Colton for help with anything else.
Tell us if you’re Going or Not Going / Sharing or Not Sharing
Your RSVP to this Community Potluck is requested as it will help us estimate the number of tables and chairs we’ll be setting up and help us organize the agenda for the event. At the bottom of this web page, enter the number of people planning to attend, select the appropriate Confirm RSVP button, enter your Full Name, your Email, and your RSVP as “Going” or “Not Going”.
Our Annual Potluck Dec 12th
NewsPlease join SIM friends and acquaintances (if you are new, you will leave with at least one SIM friend) at our annual Holiday Potluck, Thursday, December 12 during our regular meeting time, more or less– 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Friends and relatives are welcome. Bring a vegetarian dish to share that will serve 8-12. Also bring your own plate, glass, and napkin to minimize our contribution to the local landfill (but don’t worry if you forget.) We hope to see you there.
Click here to send in your RSVP which will help us plan table and chair setup so everyone is comfortable.
*Daylong Retreat – Rich Howard – Gratitude and Compassion
RetreatRetreat Theme: Gratitude and Compassion
Daylong Retreat with SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard
An attitude of gratitude can bring us joy and resilience. As the practice deepens, it opens us to the joys and sorrows of all beings. This daylong will combine silent meditation practice in the sitting, walking and standing postures with guided meditations and mindful discussions to explore how we might cultivate and expand our practices of gratitude and compassion to heal this hurting world. Please bring a lunch and plan to stay onsite for this day of refuge and connection.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha. If you prefer to make a donation for this event online using a credit card or PayPal account, click here to DONATE ONLINE.
Summary of Important Dates
Registration Details
Registration is $15.00 per person due before the start of the event. If you are able and interested in further supporting SIM financially, you have the option of a registration fee of either $25 or $35 dollars.
For the registration fee, we accept checks and cash. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information. Day-of registration will be on a first-come first-serve basis, contingent on availability of space.
Before registering to this event, click here to review the terms of use for this website.
Volunteer Opportunities
It “takes a village” to put on a large event for our community. If you would be available to assist in set-up, take-down, tea service, providing flowers or other duties for the event, please contact the retreat registrar for more information..
Questions for the Registrar?
If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.
CANCELLED – Introduction to Meditation
Meditation CourseWe’re sorry to announce that Dennis Warren is unavailable this evening and we must cancel the Introduction to Meditation class. We hope you’ll plan to attend the next scheduled course offering SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard on Thursday, December 26, 2019.
This 45-minute course is suitable for beginners or anyone who would like a refresher. It is offered on the fourth Thursday of every month before the regular sitting and dharma talk. There is no fee.
At the bottom of this page, you may enter the number of people planning to attend and select the button “Confirm RSVP“.
NO EVENTS TODAY
Weekly MeditationThere are no events scheduled by SIM today due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Tony Bernhard
Weekly MeditationSit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Tony Bernhard
The topic of the talk is to be announced.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.
*Sit & Dharma Talk – Diane Wilde – Buddhism and Euthanasia
Weekly MeditationBuddhism and Euthanasia
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Diane Wilde
Spot is old, ill and suffering. As painful as it is for loving pet guardians, we now have to make a difficult decision — is it time to consider euthanasia? For humans, California End of Life Option Act is a law which allows terminally ill adults resident in the state of California to access medical aid in dying by self-administering lethal drugs. Would you take advantage of this? Should you?
We look to our spiritual traditions for guidance on difficult life and death situations such as this. Tonight we will look at the history of teachings on the subject from a Buddhist perspective and what contemporary teachers have to say.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.
10/17/2019 “A Lump of Foam: The Five Aggregates” with Rich Howard
Audio DharmaIf you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
The five Aggregates of Clinging are an excellent means for seeing the three universal characteristics: impermanence, conditionality/insubstantiality and suffering/stress. This phrase is repeated like a mantra in the many suttas about the aggregates: “This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.” We will discuss how to use the aggregates in our daily lives to foster insight into how we suffer.