“Finding balance in an unbalanced world.” A one-day retreat with SIM Community Mentor, Rev. Diane Wilde
Creating balance both in ourselves and in our efforts to alleviate harm to all sentient beings, has never been so important. Personal, political and environmental issues are creating deep divisions and suffering. Along with sitting and walking meditation, we will discuss methods for creating equanimity or balance in our lives. Equanimity enables us to engage skillfully both our inner lives as well as the external world, with wisdom and compassion.
During the day, we will practice light movement. We will be eating our noon meal in silence, so please bring a lunch.
Summary of Important Dates
- 08/27/2017 – Registration opens.
- 09/25/2017 – Registration fee paid on or before this date.
- 09/30/2017 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
Questions for the Registrar?
Use the form below only if you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions. Expect a reply within 48 hours.
[contact-form to=’website@sactoinsight.org, terri.townsend@gmail.com’ subject=’Question about September Day-long Retreat ({name})’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comments/Questions’ type=’textarea’/][contact-field label=’Yes, subscribe me to the eNews.’ type=’checkbox’/][/contact-form]
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 mention this in the comments of contact information form shown above.
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Appreciation For Extraordinary Service
News, VolunteerExpressing Our Appreciation For Extraordinary Service
We’ll have an opportunity on Thursday evening (Aug 10, 7 to 9:15 pm) to express our appreciation to Renee Kunz and James Barnes for their extraordinary service to our community. Renee is a long time SIM member, a former member of our Board of Directors and SIM’s former Treasurer. James is a more recent community member and a former member of the Board of Directors who has focused his energy on a number of important special projects, including development of the Family Sangha.
Our celebration of their contributions will include cake and tea!
07/20/17 “Engaging the Five Aggregates – Part 2” with Dennis Warren
Audio DharmaThe Arising Of Wisdom Through Engaging “The Five Aggregates” – Part 2
Wisdom (Insight), from a Buddhist perspective, arises from “hearing” (listening to the Dharma), study and reflection capped by non-conceptual direct experience. This formula involves intentionally focusing the mind and attention on a number of different experiences, supported by the underlying psychology outlined by the historical Buddha.
This is the second in a series of interlocking talks about the arising of Wisdom (Insight). The first talk focused on the dilemma of suffering thru clinging (becoming attached) to, then identifying with five separate, but tightly related features of human experience – form, feeling, perception, volitional or mental formations (deeply embedded habits of mind) and consciousness. It’s helpful to review the first talk in this series.
For those who are using the book In The Buddha’s Words – An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Cannon, edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi as a reference, you can read the following: VII. The Path To Liberation – Introduction, pages 301-309, and the sutta at pages 335 to 337. In the alternative, follow these links to see Samyutta Nikaya 22, The Connected Discourses on the Aggregates, 56 (on https://suttacentral.net/):
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
07/13/2017 “Approaching the Dhamma” with Rich Howard
Audio DharmaIn the Buddha’s Words: Approaching the Dhamma
“It is fitting for you to be perplexed, O Kalamas.” These words spoken by the Buddha to the citizens of Kesaputta ring true for us today. How do we approach the teachings of the Buddha, when there are so many competing spiritual, philosophical, and secular teachings, so many schools of Buddhism, and so many interpretations and teachers even within our own Insight (vipassana) tradition?
Dennis, Diane, and Rich have chosen a book called “In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon” edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications, 2005) as the theme for presentations at SIM through the end of this year. This evening, we will explore Chapter III, Approaching the Dhamma. As a starting point, Rich leads a discussion of the Buddha’s teaching to the Kalamas (AN 3:65), including Bhikkhu Bodhi’s point of view on the message of this sutta.
To prepare for this evening, folks read the first half of the Introduction to Chapter III (pages 81-85, first paragraph), and texts III,1 and III,2 (pages 88-91). If you do not have this book, here are some alternative citations from accesstoinsight.org:
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
07/06/2017 “A Fortunate Rebirth” with Diane Wilde
Audio DharmaA Fortunate Rebirth… A talk and discussion on what rebirth means, both in the future and in this lifetime, with Diane Wilde.
Raphael Calix will share his own story of rebirth as a former “lifer” in prison and the changes that came with his mediation practice.
Diane Wilde will lead a Dharma talk/discussion on rebirth, both from the orthodox viewpoint, as stated in the Pali Cannon, and as the rebirth of our authentic selves when we courageously look at our lives. We will discuss the importance of recognizing what is “kusala” (skillful) and what is “akusala” (unskillful) karma, and the importance of investigating our lives on and off the cushion.
Raphael Calix has been invited to share his own story. Raphael was an inmate at San Quentin prison until January 2017. As a “lifer,” he was told he would never be released. He created his own akusala karma as a young man, and yet found “freedom” with his mediation practice while incarcerated. As he pursued meditation and daily mindfulness practice, he began courageously facing the harm he caused others, as well as his own self-hatred. His story is a profound statement on the changes that can take place when each of us we are able to investigate ourselves with “scales falling from our eyes.”
If you are so inclined, please read pages 145 – through the first paragraph on page 147 In Bikkhu Bodhi’s book “In the Buddha’s Own Words”; the chapter on “The Way to a Fortunate Rebirth.” Please read the first sutta, “The Law of Karma” on page 155-156.
If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here.
Provide rides to former prisoners…
News, VolunteerProvide rides to former prisoners who had been studying Buddhism while incarcerated.
Volunteers are needed to provide rides to formerly incarcerated men and women who have been practicing Buddhism while in prison and wish to continue their practice in a supportive sangha. Most do not have access to cars and light rail is a problem later in the evening.
If you wish to help with rides as well as provide spiritual friendship, please email Diane at diane@sactoinsight.org
Daylong Retreat with SIM Community Mentor, Rev. Diane Wilde
Retreat“Finding balance in an unbalanced world.” A one-day retreat with SIM Community Mentor, Rev. Diane Wilde
Creating balance both in ourselves and in our efforts to alleviate harm to all sentient beings, has never been so important. Personal, political and environmental issues are creating deep divisions and suffering. Along with sitting and walking meditation, we will discuss methods for creating equanimity or balance in our lives. Equanimity enables us to engage skillfully both our inner lives as well as the external world, with wisdom and compassion.
During the day, we will practice light movement. We will be eating our noon meal in silence, so please bring a lunch.
Summary of Important Dates
Questions for the Registrar?
Use the form below only if you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions. Expect a reply within 48 hours.
[contact-form to=’website@sactoinsight.org, terri.townsend@gmail.com’ subject=’Question about September Day-long Retreat ({name})’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comments/Questions’ type=’textarea’/][contact-field label=’Yes, subscribe me to the eNews.’ type=’checkbox’/][/contact-form]
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 mention this in the comments of contact information form shown above.
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Introduction to Meditation with Visiting Mentor, Lori Wong
Meditation CourseThis 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.
*Sit & Dharma Talk – Lori Wong – Not Holding to Fixed Views
Weekly MeditationThe topic of the talk is “Not Holding to Fixed Views“. How do we bring awareness to our views and implicit biases and open our hearts to see each other?
Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Mentor, Lori Wong
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 – Is your meditation “working?”
Weekly MeditationIs your meditation “working?”
Dharma Talk and Discussion with SIM Community Mentor, Rev. Diane Wilde
Is the same practice suitable for everyone? How do I know if this is the right practice for me? The important point is: Have you fallen into a practice that is no longer evaluated and has become as “habitual” as many other facets of your life. After a person has been meditating for some time, it’s important that he or she evaluate how the practice is developing. Is it working? Does it need adjustment? Is it even the right practice to be doing? Can it be improved? Some of this evaluation can be done on one’s own, some with a teacher or with friends. Join us for an important discussion.
*Sit & Dharma Talk – Dennis Warren – Non-Self – When What Is Not Present Helps Us Use What Is
Weekly MeditationNon-Self – When What Is Not Present Helps Us Use What Is
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren.
The principle that the absence of something can be as significant as the presence of something is a fundamental element of Buddhist practice. One of the more popular definitions of mindfulness expresses this as “moment to moment non-judgmental awareness.” Non-doing and non-clinging, among other qualities of mind, are considered core elements of an ethical and maturing practice.
In this context, it’s important to remember that the historical Buddha considered everything to be non-self or not-self. In other words, whatever non-self or not-self is or means is not unique or exclusive in its application to our western psychological notion of “self.” As a result, it applies across the board to all of our experiences and everything else – you, me, animals, plants, rocks, the environment, our plant, the universe.
The broad based application of the principle of non-self is one of the things that make it practical, concrete and relevant to our sitting practice, daily life, relationships…and our death.
For those using In The Buddha’s Words – An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Cannon, edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi as a reference, please read the four (4) pages of the following suttas starting on page 341 and end on 345.
For those using online reference materials, please read substantially the same materials under the following titles: