If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here .
As Buddhist practitioners, we take refuge in the Buddha (and our own potential for Buddhahood), the Dharma (how life unfolds) and the sangha, (a supportive community of practitioners.) On this evening we take a closer look at sangha.
There are activities going on “behind the scenes” at SIM that you most likely don’t know about, as well as other supportive programs which will be offered in the future. We will also discuss what YOU would like to see offered at YOUR sangha.
Cookies and other treats were featured during the break.
The entire talk was very interesting and because it relates to our Sangha, we have also posted this talk to the SIM “News” blog. Some highlights of Sangha members who contributed to the discussion are summarized below noting the audio time marker, name, and discussion topic. This is not a comprehensive list. Listen to the entire talk so you won’t miss out on anything of interest to you.
https://sactoinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SIM-logo-trans.png00Sabitrehttps://sactoinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SIM-logo-trans.pngSabitre2018-08-16 22:00:222018-08-18 20:59:1508/16/2018 “Taking Refuge … in the sangha” with Diane Wilde
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
What’s so great about the present moment anyway?
“Be mindful.” “Stay in the present.” “Bare attention.” We’ve all heard one of these phrases. And if you’re more experienced in insight practice, these may be the watchwords that chime in the back of consciousness from morning till night, reminding you that everything genuine in the spiritual path is to be found in the now. So, if this is such an important practice, why is it so hard to stay present and what’s so great about it anyhow? We’ll discuss the reasons for staying present according to Buddhist teachings, and offer some practical techniques for staying present that you will find helpful.
If you’re considering your enrollment to the six-week Beginning Meditation course that starts September 18, there are currently 11 openings available. For details about the course and how to register, click on the flyer image.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
This is an introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in anticipation of the 8-week MBSR course which will be offered at SIM starting September 2018. Designed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, MBSR is an integrative and scientifically validated approach that combines mindfulness practices with group processing and psycho-education around stress. MBSR helps participants mobilize their inner resources to alleviate suffering associated with chronic pain and illness, as well as conditions such as anxiety, depression, headaches, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems and the stresses of everyday life. This work was featured in Bill Moyers’ television special, “Healing and the Mind” in a dated but still compelling piece.
https://sactoinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SIM-logo-trans.png00Sabitrehttps://sactoinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SIM-logo-trans.pngSabitre2018-08-02 22:00:292019-02-10 22:52:4308/02/2018 “Introduction to MBSR” with Matt Russell
Abiding Independent
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor Rich Howard
The Satipattahana Sutta (the Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness) is at the center of our practice of meditation in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition. The refrain of the Sutta includes this phrase: the practictioner “abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world.” Other suttas use “knowledge independent of others” as a sign of a mature practice and of right view. Yet we understand from the teaching on dependent origination that all phenomena are dependent on causes and conditions, that “no thing” exists on its own. This evening we will explore the idea of “abiding independent” as an inspiration for practice and study of the dhamma.
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.
Registration is now open for the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) eight week course with Matt Russell. There are some introduction sessions (August 2 & September 5). The eight session course meets Wednesdays, September 12 through October 31, 9:30 am to noon and there’s an all day retreat on Saturday, October 20, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. To pay the $375 registration fee or for more information about the course, click here.
Daylong Retreat with Lori Wong; Seven audio files:
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
In this daylong, we will explore blind spots: how to know what we don’t know, see what we don’t see — in the framework of suffering and compassion. We’ll look at personal and collective identity and privilege and their role in how we show up. The day will include meditation, experiential and interactive exercises, and reflection.
Heart Calling: a wake-up call for the real you — Courtney Carver
Turning to One Another — Margaret Wheatley
Somewhere someone needs help — Carrie Newcomer
“Shame is a loaded word for Westerners. Like most things, it can be seen in a positive or negative light. Negative shame is accompanied by guilt and self-denigration. It is pointless and doesn’t help us even slightly. Positive shame, on the other hand, is recognizing when we’ve harmed ourselves or anyone else and feeling sorry for having done so. It allows us to grow wiser from our mistakes. Eventually it dawns on us that we can regret causing harm without becoming weighed down by negative shame. Just seeing the hurt and heartbreak clearly motivates us to move on. By acknowledging what we did, cleanly and compassionately, we go forward.” — Pema Chödron
“I know it isn’t cruelty or shame that characterises the human race. It’s forgiveness that makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would’ve annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive.” — Gregory David Roberts
https://sactoinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SIM-logo-trans.png00Sabitrehttps://sactoinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SIM-logo-trans.pngSabitre2018-07-28 18:00:292018-09-04 14:34:2107/28/2018 “Seeing With The Eyes of Kwan Yin” with Lori Wong
This Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction retreat is part of an eight week course instructed by Matt Russell. You must pre-register to the course before attending this retreat. For course registration details, click here.
This Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction session is part of an eight week course instructed by Matt Russell. You must pre-register to the course before attending this session. For course registration details, click here.
This Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction session is part of an eight week course instructed by Matt Russell. You must pre-register to the course before attending this session. For course registration details, click here.
08/16/2018 “Taking Refuge … in the sangha” with Diane Wilde
Audio Dharma, NewsIf you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here .
As Buddhist practitioners, we take refuge in the Buddha (and our own potential for Buddhahood), the Dharma (how life unfolds) and the sangha, (a supportive community of practitioners.) On this evening we take a closer look at sangha.
There are activities going on “behind the scenes” at SIM that you most likely don’t know about, as well as other supportive programs which will be offered in the future. We will also discuss what YOU would like to see offered at YOUR sangha.
Cookies and other treats were featured during the break.
The entire talk was very interesting and because it relates to our Sangha, we have also posted this talk to the SIM “News” blog. Some highlights of Sangha members who contributed to the discussion are summarized below noting the audio time marker, name, and discussion topic. This is not a comprehensive list. Listen to the entire talk so you won’t miss out on anything of interest to you.
08/09/2018 “Present Moment” with Diane Wilde
Audio DharmaIf you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
What’s so great about the present moment anyway?
“Be mindful.” “Stay in the present.” “Bare attention.” We’ve all heard one of these phrases. And if you’re more experienced in insight practice, these may be the watchwords that chime in the back of consciousness from morning till night, reminding you that everything genuine in the spiritual path is to be found in the now. So, if this is such an important practice, why is it so hard to stay present and what’s so great about it anyhow? We’ll discuss the reasons for staying present according to Buddhist teachings, and offer some practical techniques for staying present that you will find helpful.
11 Spots Remaining
News08/02/2018 “Introduction to MBSR” with Matt Russell
Audio DharmaIf you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
This is an introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in anticipation of the 8-week MBSR course which will be offered at SIM starting September 2018. Designed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, MBSR is an integrative and scientifically validated approach that combines mindfulness practices with group processing and psycho-education around stress. MBSR helps participants mobilize their inner resources to alleviate suffering associated with chronic pain and illness, as well as conditions such as anxiety, depression, headaches, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems and the stresses of everyday life. This work was featured in Bill Moyers’ television special, “Healing and the Mind” in a dated but still compelling piece.
*Sit & Dharma Talk – Rich Howard – Abiding Independent
Weekly MeditationAbiding Independent
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor Rich Howard
The Satipattahana Sutta (the Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness) is at the center of our practice of meditation in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition. The refrain of the Sutta includes this phrase: the practictioner “abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world.” Other suttas use “knowledge independent of others” as a sign of a mature practice and of right view. Yet we understand from the teaching on dependent origination that all phenomena are dependent on causes and conditions, that “no thing” exists on its own. This evening we will explore the idea of “abiding independent” as an inspiration for practice and study of the dhamma.
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.
MBSR Course Available: Sep 2018
NewsRegistration is now open for the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) eight week course with Matt Russell. There are some introduction sessions (August 2 & September 5). The eight session course meets Wednesdays, September 12 through October 31, 9:30 am to noon and there’s an all day retreat on Saturday, October 20, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. To pay the $375 registration fee or for more information about the course, click here.
07/28/2018 “Seeing With The Eyes of Kwan Yin” with Lori Wong
Audio DharmaDaylong Retreat with Lori Wong; Seven audio files:
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
In this daylong, we will explore blind spots: how to know what we don’t know, see what we don’t see — in the framework of suffering and compassion. We’ll look at personal and collective identity and privilege and their role in how we show up. The day will include meditation, experiential and interactive exercises, and reflection.
Poems/Readings/Quotes referenced:
Videos Played:
Why Our Bias is Costing Us – Anurag Gupta
Brené Brown on Blame
Forgiveness (https://gratituderevealed.com/portfolio/forgiveness/)
Home by Warsan Shire (read by the poet)
How to Care Deeply Without Burning Out – Sharon Salzberg (https://www.mindful.org/care-deeply-without-burning-out/)
MBSR Course One-Day Retreat
Retreat, Study GroupThis Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction retreat is part of an eight week course instructed by Matt Russell. You must pre-register to the course before attending this retreat. For course registration details, click here.
MBSR (Session 8 of 8)
Study GroupThis Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction session is part of an eight week course instructed by Matt Russell. You must pre-register to the course before attending this session. For course registration details, click here.
MBSR (Session 7 of 8)
Study GroupThis Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction session is part of an eight week course instructed by Matt Russell. You must pre-register to the course before attending this session. For course registration details, click here.