Event registration requested
From Separation to Seamless Reality
Buddhist teachings emphasize the link between dukkha, an inner dissatisfaction that keeps us from enjoying life and the delusive view of the self that we are separate from others. During this meditation day, we will explore the conceptual proliferation that generates the sense of self and turn towards the fullness, peace and potential that is our ever-present nature. Ending conceptual proliferation reveals a seamless reality at the heart of everything and fundamentally changes our way of being and living. The day will be informed by mindful investigation of our direct experience, and framed within teachings on emptiness, pervasive awareness and love.
Lunch will be a potluck. Please bring a non-meat dish as well as your own plate, napkin, and eating utensils. Offerings will be made to Amma. (Amma welcomes plenty of vegetables, eggs, cottage cheese and foods low in carbohydrates, low inflammation, and gluten free. She tries to avoid rice or other grains, potatoes and other nightshades, and gluten.)
The daylong will be dana only. We are sharing travel and lodging expenses with SBMG, so cost should be minimal. Your RSVP will help our volunteers plan and setup the event space appropriately.
(Amma) Thanasanti Bhikkhuni was born in California. She was first introduced to Buddhism and insight meditation in 1979 in a class taught by Jack Engler. From that time she consciously committed to awakening and envisioned living her life as a nun. After completing a BA in Biology from UC Santa Cruz, she worked as an analytical chemist. In 1987 she went on a pilgrimage to India, Nepal and Thailand to meet Dipa Ma, HIs Holiness Dalai Lama, Ajahn Chah, and Ajahn Buddhadasa. She joined the comunity of nuns living at both Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries in England. She received ordination in 1991. As part of her monastic life she has spent extensive time in retreat in the remote bush of Australia. She founded Awakening Truth whose mission is to combine Forest traditions teachings with modern teachings on integration to allow greater capacity to meet what is arising in ourselves, our relationships and the world. Eventually, she aims to create a Bhikkhuni training based on these principles. In August 2010, after 19 years of being a nun, she formally joined the Bhikkhuni Sangha at Aranya Bodhi Forest Hermitage, Sonoma CA, in the first Theravada Bhikkhuni ordination to be conducted in North America. Ayya Tathaaloka is her preceptor. She blends rigor with gentle loving encouragement to find your own way – finding a balance between fierce holding of the Dhamma and compassion, tenderness, humor and empowerment. Currently she is based at the Shakti Vihara hermitage in Santa Rosa, California as a solitary alms mendicant nun where her time is interspersed between writing, teaching, time meditating in the nearby Annadale State Park and caring for her elderly Mom, Marley Fein.
Scroll down to RSVP/Register to the event.
Buddhist Recovery Group
Buddhist Recovery Group, Weekly MeditationOur Buddhist Recovery Group meets every Monday evening from 6:30 pm–8:00 pm at the Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826 .
For additional information, visit the 12 Step Sangha page at https://sactoinsight.org/activities/practice-opportunities/12-step-sangha/
Buddhist Recovery Group
Buddhist Recovery Group, Weekly MeditationOur Buddhist Recovery Group meets every Monday evening from 6:30 pm–8:00 pm at the Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826 .
For additional information, visit the 12 Step Sangha page at https://sactoinsight.org/activities/practice-opportunities/12-step-sangha/
Grand Opening of Sacramento Dharma Center
News, SDCIt’s the “Grand Opening” of the Sacramento Dharma Center. This event will include neighbors, supporters, and others in addition to the sustaining sanghas (Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group, Sacramento Insight Meditation, and Valley Streams Zen Sangha). SDC plans to show the neighbors the new building and grounds and give everyone a chance to learn a bit about the Sacramento Dharma Center (who the SDC is and what the SDC does.)
This event will start off with a period of mingling, followed by an exchange of gratitude, welcoming, and blessing by invited teachers and neighborhood leaders. We’ll conclude with more socializing and table hopping. Everyone is invited.
Day-long Retreat with Visiting Teacher, Amma Thanasanti
RetreatFrom Separation to Seamless Reality
Buddhist teachings emphasize the link between dukkha, an inner dissatisfaction that keeps us from enjoying life and the delusive view of the self that we are separate from others. During this meditation day, we will explore the conceptual proliferation that generates the sense of self and turn towards the fullness, peace and potential that is our ever-present nature. Ending conceptual proliferation reveals a seamless reality at the heart of everything and fundamentally changes our way of being and living. The day will be informed by mindful investigation of our direct experience, and framed within teachings on emptiness, pervasive awareness and love.
Lunch will be a potluck. Please bring a non-meat dish as well as your own plate, napkin, and eating utensils. Offerings will be made to Amma. (Amma welcomes plenty of vegetables, eggs, cottage cheese and foods low in carbohydrates, low inflammation, and gluten free. She tries to avoid rice or other grains, potatoes and other nightshades, and gluten.)
The daylong will be dana only. We are sharing travel and lodging expenses with SBMG, so cost should be minimal. Your RSVP will help our volunteers plan and setup the event space appropriately.
(Amma) Thanasanti Bhikkhuni was born in California. She was first introduced to Buddhism and insight meditation in 1979 in a class taught by Jack Engler. From that time she consciously committed to awakening and envisioned living her life as a nun. After completing a BA in Biology from UC Santa Cruz, she worked as an analytical chemist. In 1987 she went on a pilgrimage to India, Nepal and Thailand to meet Dipa Ma, HIs Holiness Dalai Lama, Ajahn Chah, and Ajahn Buddhadasa. She joined the comunity of nuns living at both Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries in England. She received ordination in 1991. As part of her monastic life she has spent extensive time in retreat in the remote bush of Australia. She founded Awakening Truth whose mission is to combine Forest traditions teachings with modern teachings on integration to allow greater capacity to meet what is arising in ourselves, our relationships and the world. Eventually, she aims to create a Bhikkhuni training based on these principles. In August 2010, after 19 years of being a nun, she formally joined the Bhikkhuni Sangha at Aranya Bodhi Forest Hermitage, Sonoma CA, in the first Theravada Bhikkhuni ordination to be conducted in North America. Ayya Tathaaloka is her preceptor. She blends rigor with gentle loving encouragement to find your own way – finding a balance between fierce holding of the Dhamma and compassion, tenderness, humor and empowerment. Currently she is based at the Shakti Vihara hermitage in Santa Rosa, California as a solitary alms mendicant nun where her time is interspersed between writing, teaching, time meditating in the nearby Annadale State Park and caring for her elderly Mom, Marley Fein.
Scroll down to RSVP/Register to the event.
*Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher, Heather Sundberg
Weekly MeditationTalk Topic: See, Care, Respond!
This talk will not be recorded.
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.
Introduction to Meditation with SIM Community Mentor, Rich Howard
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 with Long-time SIM Community Member, Laura Rosenthal
Weekly MeditationWise Effort
Wise Effort is one of the “folds” of the Noble Eightfold Path, the integrated Buddhist path of practice that points in the direction of awakening. What is Wise Effort anyway? Is it actually four efforts? Two? One? Why does the discussion of Wise Effort sometimes sound like a tongue twister? Join Laura Rosenthal for a dharma talk and group conversation about how wise (wholesome) effort can be a useful, practical and accessible touchstone in both meditation and daily life.
Laura has been a regular participant in SIM since 2004. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP4) and is currently enrolled in Spirit Rock’s Advanced Practitioners Program as well as Heather Sundberg’s Committed Students Program.
*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher, Dennis Warren
Weekly MeditationRecommendations for Practice in 2017 (Part 2)
The teachings of the historical Buddha are vast in number and seemingly complex in nature. But he also urged us not to rely on initial surface impressions; instead, to look underneath and behind our impressions to what is really present. When we apply these principles to the Buddha’s teachings, we discover an integrated system of methods and psychology that flow from a number of foundational elements.
This evening with SIM’s Founding Teacher Dennis Warren will build upon and expand the discussion we began on Thursday, January 5. That evening looked at a number of elements of practice to focus on in beginning 2017. It may be helpful to review Dennis’ (Part 1) talk on that evening.
The evening will include a number of special practice recommendations; examine why the inter-related nature of the Buddha’s teachings is so helpful in examining our own individual practices; and explore a number of potential risks or hazards on the path of practice.
*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher, Dennis Warren
Weekly MeditationRECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE IN 2017
The first Thursday evening session of the year will focus on the elements of practice and recommendations to consider in developing and refining your meditation and daily life practices in 2017. This will be an interesting, practical discussion, including resources to help you evaluate and further cultivate your practice knowledge, skill, and experience.
Come prepared with your questions about practice, and your practice, to supplement the presentation and discussion by SIM’s founding teacher, Dennis Warren.
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.
SDC dedication and celebration for the sustaining sanghas
NewsA celebration for the three sustaining sanghas will take place (Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group, Sacramento Insight Meditation, and Valley Streams Zen Sangha). Each sangha is invited to offer a dedication or blessing; a joint sitting may be planned; and conversation and refreshments will welcome everyone.