Beginning Anew
A One Day Retreat– with Sim’s Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
This will be a relaxed day of practice involving alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, movement and discussion. We’ll explore what it means to “look in the right place” and “look the right way” when trying to work with challenges like doubt, confusion, restlessness, worry and anxiety. We’ll do this through trying different approaches to experiencing things directly, rather than intellectually. We’ll engage in some thoughtful reflection on the how the choices and decisions we make in dealing with these core life challenges shape not just our own lives, and but impact the lives of those around us.
All are welcome. Come for all day or for a portion of the day. Please bring your lunch.
DENNIS WARREN is SIM’s Founder Teacher. He teaches traditional meditation and mindfulness practices as well as their contemporary uses with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, burn out, professional performance and in therapy. He has nearly thirty years of practice experience and residential retreat work in Insight (Vipassana) Meditation. Dennis is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Community Dharma Leadership program and has completed the professional trainings in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression Relapse (MBCT). He has been a Volunteer Clinical Professor since 2006 in the Division of Pain Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine focusing on mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain. He has lead two Moving Retreats and Pilgrimages in Thailand, Northern India, and Nepal in the last ten years.
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.
Summary of Important Dates
- 12/11/2018 – Registration opens.
- 01/25/2019 – Registration via this website is closed however we invite you to register in person on the day of the retreat.
- 01/26/2019 – 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. Day-of registration is available and we accept checks and cash. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information.
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.
Beginning Meditation Class (5 of 6)
Meditation CourseThis class is part of a six week meditation course offered twice a year. You must pre-register to the course before attending this class. For course details, click here. If you are a course participant and would like to make a donation online, click here.
Beginning Meditation Class (4 of 6)
Meditation CourseThis class is part of a six week meditation course offered twice a year. You must pre-register to the course before attending this class. For course details, click here.
Beginning Meditation Class (3 of 6)
Meditation CourseThis class is part of a six week meditation course offered twice a year. You must pre-register to the course before attending this class. For course details, click here.
Beginning Meditation Class (2 of 6)
Meditation CourseThis class is part of a six week meditation course offered twice a year. You must pre-register to the course before attending this class. For course details, click here.
*Daylong Retreat with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
RetreatBeginning Anew
A One Day Retreat– with Sim’s Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
This will be a relaxed day of practice involving alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, movement and discussion. We’ll explore what it means to “look in the right place” and “look the right way” when trying to work with challenges like doubt, confusion, restlessness, worry and anxiety. We’ll do this through trying different approaches to experiencing things directly, rather than intellectually. We’ll engage in some thoughtful reflection on the how the choices and decisions we make in dealing with these core life challenges shape not just our own lives, and but impact the lives of those around us.
All are welcome. Come for all day or for a portion of the day. Please bring your lunch.
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.
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. Day-of registration is available and we accept checks and cash. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information.
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 – Diane Wilde – Entering the Stream, Dealing with Doubt
Weekly MeditationThe Second in a series on “Entering the Stream” of Awakening. To listen to Diane first talk on this subject, click here.
Entering the Stream to Awakening, Dealing with Doubt
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Diane Wilde
Yogis who are sincere in their practice, and desire to alleviate suffering are said to be on the precipice of “Entering the Stream”. A Stream-Enterer, known as a Sotapanna in Pali, the ancient language of the Buddha, is a practitioner who is well on the path to “awakening”, which means cutting through and eliminating the fetters that cause suffering. The first fetter is understanding the delusion of self-identity, the belief that each of us is a separate entity unto ourselves. The second fetter to be uprooted is doubt. Tonight we will briefly discuss self-identity, which will be the topic of the Feb. 23rd daylong and examine in more detail, the second “fetter” of doubt. Doubt is traditionally seen as having two aspects: skillful doubt, which prods us into deeper experiential investigation of the path, and unskillful doubt, which is a dead-end, leading to confusion and unhappiness. We will discuss the characteristics of both types of doubt and how skillful doubt is an aid in navigating the difficulties we often encounter in our own practice. Unskillful doubt is abandoned as we Enter the Stream.
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 – Laura Rosenthal – Near Misses in Practice
Weekly MeditationWhat’s Really So: Near Misses in Practice
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Member Laura Rosenthal
Initially this event was scheduled with visiting teacher Heather Sundberg however due to travel difficulties related to bad weather, Heather could not attend and in her place, Laura Rosenthal gave the talk instead.
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.
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*Sit & Dharma Talk – Laura Rosenthal – How Good Do We Have To Be?
Weekly MeditationHow Good Do We Have To Be?
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Member Laura Rosenthal
How good do we have to be? And is this even the question we need to ask ourselves? Join Laura Rosenthal for a dharma talk and group conversation about how the notion of “being good” may or may not support us in walking the path of Buddhist practice – and in waking up.
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 – Entering the Stream
Weekly MeditationEntering the Stream
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Diane Wilde
Buddhist practice offers those who yearn for “awakening” a map of sorts. “Entering the Stream” or “Stream Enterer” is the first location on this map leading towards complete liberation. Tonight we will discuss the characteristics of a Stream Enterer and what needs to take place in order to realize the liberating qualities of being firmly on the path.
According to the teachings, entering the path of liberation means we should ultimately rely on our own direct experiential knowledge. The Buddha put himself practiced this way. Yet, even the most gratifying experiences can be dangerous if we become attached to them. What “goes beyond all views” probably defines the experience of liberation when we are no longer clinging to experience of any kind—including book-learning, rites or rituals, or sophisticated techniques. Ironically, due to its simplicity and elegance, it can often appear difficult, even though signposts on how to proceed are evident everywhere — if we pay attention. Stream Enterers, according to the teachings, are now firmly on the path to liberation. It is impossible to go back once this state is realized.
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 – Dennis Warren – Working with Difficult Thinking
Weekly MeditationThe Important Things To Know In Working With Difficult, Problematic and Obsessive Thinking.
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
We all know that our minds have “a mind of their own.” It’s not uncommon to find ourselves in situations where we can’t stop thinking about things we don’t want to think about. Or we can’t think the way we want to think in dealing with highly emotional or pressurized issues. Thinking can be difficult, problematic, obsessive…and more. It plays a major role in nearly every, if not every, intra-personal, interpersonal and existential question, delima and dysfunction.
This evening will examine what’s important to know in working with thinking. What do we do when we are faced with a mind that seems out of control? How do we deal with thinking that just won’t stop? How do we develop the ability to think clearly and productively when we want to? What are the underlying principles that will help us understanding our thinking patterns and what to do about them?
There are basic approaches that will apply to all these topics whether your particular mind’s approach to “thinking” is based primarily on logic, kinesthetic or body based, through imagery or emotion, or one of the other ways the mind processes information, relates to experience and makes decisions.
In preparation for this evening, please consider the following basic questions:
This will be an interesting, fun and, ultimately, practical evening. Everyone is welcome.
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.