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SIM meets online and in-person at the Sacramento Dharma Center
What is Dana?
Dana is a Buddhist word that means generosity or heart. Nearly all Sacramento Insight Meditation activities are offered on a dana (donations) basis. This means our programs 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. Practice dana, please support our Sangha. DONATE NOW
Hawk Blessing Ceremony
SDCThe Sacramento Dharma Center is offering a hawk blessing ceremony July 3rd. Come at 7:30 pm for spotting and iced tea followed by the ceremony at 8:00 pm. Bring your binoculars, spotting scopes, friends, and children! For details, click here.
Morning Meditation with Jerry Simkins
Weekly MeditationMorning Meditation with Jerry Simkins
All are welcome to this open sitting for anyone interested in starting their morning out by sitting with others. The session involves a 40-45 minute sitting, a limited about of meditation guidance, and a few comments at the end of the sitting to set a theme for moving into the world and your daily activities.
SKIP Morning Meditaion
Weekly MeditationNo Morning Meditation – JULY 4th Holiday
Due to the national holiday, there will be no morning meditation at SIM on Wednesday, July 4th.
Morning Meditation with Rich Howard
Weekly MeditationMorning Meditation with Rich Howard
All are welcome to this open sitting for anyone interested in starting their morning out by sitting with others. The session involves a 40-45 minute sitting, a limited about of meditation guidance, and a few comments at the end of the sitting to set a theme for moving into the world and your daily activities.
No Morning Meditation – JULY 4th Holiday
NewsDue to the national holiday, there will be no morning meditation at SIM on Wednesday, July 4th.
06/28/2018 “Legend of Murderer Angulimala” with Diane Wilde
Audio DharmaThe Legend of Mass-Murderer Angulimala … and lessons about negative karma
The redemption of the mass murderer Angulimala, is memorialized in the Pali Canon in Majjhima Nikaya 86. Angulimala’s brutality and his ultimate liberation has long been an inspiring story to Buddhist practitioners. What is not known is the deeper meaning behind the legend and the various interpretations that have come down to us from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. While the acts committed by Angulimala caused unspeakable suffering for his victims and their families, a question which is often ignored is how did he contend with the karma resulting from all he had done? How was he able to “start over” with a legacy of murder and cruelty? In our own lives, how do we contend with the harm we have caused, both in regards to ourselves and others? How do we “clear” our own karma? How do we respond to others who have harmed us? We will look at this legend from a variety of vantage points and how the legend of Angulimala has many lessons to teach.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
Invitation to join – SIM Online Group
NewsJoining “SIM Online Group” will prompt you to login to your Google/Google+ account. If you don’t already have a Google/Google+ account you’ll need to create one so take note of the email address and password that you use during setup as you’ll need it later when you use your mobile phone or a different computer to access “SIM Online Group”.
We hope you’ll give it a try. Play around and check out some of the social media features that the SIM Online Group has to offer. If you have questions, feel free to contact Sabitre Rodriguez by email at webmaster@sactoinsight.org.
06/21/2018 “Meaning and Practice of ‘Investigation’ part2” with Dennis Warren
Audio DharmaIf you’d like to listen to the part 1 talk, click here.
The principal purpose of Insight Practice is the creation of conditions that led to spontaneous, intuitive Insight that liberates the mind and heart from suffering. This occurs through “Investigation.”
This evening will be Part II in an exploration of the meaning of “Investigation” in the context of the Buddha’s teachings on the “Seven Factors of Awakening.”
It would be helpful to review the first 12 pages of the article on the Seven Factors by Piyadassi Thera at https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyadassi/wheel001.pdf .
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
06/14/2018 “Commitment to Practice” with Rich Howard
Audio DharmaCommitment to Practice: Hobby, Pastime, or Lifetime Aspiration?
We may come to the practice of meditative awareness as a curiosity or from an intense experience of suffering. We may practice continually from the first day or intermittently. As we progress, the role of practice in our lives may increase, shift or fall away completely. Just as we periodically look at why we practice, it is helpful once in a while to examine our level of commitment. Both are supported by the power of intention. On this evening, we will look at our level of commitment and the conditions that support or undermine our aspiration.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
06/07/2018 “Dependent Origination” with Tony Bernhard
Audio DharmaThe Buddha is said to have taught, “One who sees dependent origination sees the Dhamma; one who sees the Dhamma sees dependent origination.” What is this teaching that’s so central to Buddhist understanding and what does it mean for our practice? Join longtime friend of SIM Tony Bernhard for an exploration of this question.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.