*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor, Diane Wilde

“I’m Right, you’re wrong… end of discussion”
Part 1 of Right View — the views we hold in everyday life

Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor, Diane Wilde. During this historic and volatile period in our nations’s history, it is helpful to return to the guidance provided by the basic principles of this practice — Right View or Wise View, “samma ditthi.”  All of us across the political and social spectrums are tenaciously cleaning to our views which we summarily declare as “truth.” Too often fear, anger, resentment and even hatred are propelling us in one direction or another.  If we take the time to take inventory, we might discover which closely-held views are wise and compassionate and which promote ignorance and cruelty.  Looking at these beliefs in our lives is practicing Skillful or Wise View in daily life. Clearly seeing how things are is a formidable task, yet this is what is asked of us if we truly desire to decrease, and hopefully eliminate, suffering in our lives.

We will leave time to discuss the views in our own lives and how they enhance or promote suffering.

Part 2 of Right View on March 30 will investigate the “enlightened” state of not clinging to a view.   What does that really mean?  Is this possible, or even desirable, in today’s world?

/by

*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren

Revisiting the Meaning, Benefits & Risks of Suffering

We talk so much about “suffering” in Buddhist practice, we sometimes lost touch with the original meaning of suffering found in the historical Buddha’s teaching. Instead, we turn we slide into a western psychological meaning. And we also lose touch with the tangible benefits and the clear risks or dangers of suffering.
This evening with SIM Founding Teacher, Dennis Warren, will explore the meaning, benefits and risks of suffering from a Buddhist perspective. It will extend a number of the principles outlined in Dennis’s talk on February 16th. You may want to review that talk as a way of preparing for this evening.
Come prepared with your questions on these topics to supplement the talk and discussion with SIM’s Founding Teacher Dennis Warren.

/by

*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor, Rich Howard

Uncertainty and Doubt

We may come to practice in search of clear answers, but as practice matures, we become more comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. Suzuki Roshi wrote, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few. ” Maintaining this “beginner’s mind” keeps practice fresh and opens the mind to surprising insights. Too much uncertainty and ambiguity may lead to doubt. Let’s explore this rich territory together and see what it means for our formal and daily practice. Bring your experiences with uncertainty and doubt for sharing with the community.

/by

10/20/2016 “Change and Adapting to Change” with Dennis Warren

Change and Adapting to Change

While change is inevitable in our lives, the appearance of things remaining the same seems to be the constant focus of our attention. Many, if not most, of our decisions are based on an assumption – the assumption that things will remain as they are. Why do our minds do this?

This evening with SIM’s Founding Teacher will explore the nature of change and adapting to change from the perspective of Buddhist psychology and practice. What are the conditions, mind states, and attitudes that allow us to adapt to change with a sense of ease, acceptable and equanimity? And which hinder or act as obstacles to it?

If you would like to download this talk, please right click and select “save as” here

/by

February Instructor Schedule Posted

The SIM Calendar now includes the instructor schedule for February.

/by

*Day-Long Retreat with Senior Teacher, Kamala Masters

one-day-retreat-20170225-with-kamala-masters

“The Three Pillars of the Dharma”

The practices of generosity, harmonious living, and the cultivation of wisdom comprise the fullness of the Buddha’s teaching.

Once a year, typically in the month of February, Sacramento Insight Meditation (SIM) hosts a visiting senior teacher to lead a one-day retreat that many people find to be a special event not to be missed. This year, we are pleased to announce that our visiting teacher is Kamala Masters. (click here for her biography). To view the event flyer, click here.

Additional Dana

“Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha

If you’d like to provide additional Dana for this retreat beyond the registration fee, enter the amount you’d like to give. This donation supports Diane Wilde and Sacramento Insight Meditation.

$
Select Payment Method
Personal Info

Terms

Donation Total: $1

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=’woodenfaery@yahoo.com, website@sactoinsight.org’ subject=’Question about Kamala Master’s Retreat’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comments/Questions’ type=’textarea’/][/contact-form]

/by

*Sit & Dharma Talk with Senior Teacher, Kamala Masters

Seeing the World with Quiet Eyes

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.

/by

Introduction to Meditation with SIM Community Mentor, Diane Wilde

This 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.

/by

*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren

Transforming Ourselves, Transforming Our Country

The aim of the historical Buddha’s teachings is nothing less than a transformation of how we understand ourselves and our experience; how we relate to each other; and how we engage the world around us. He provided us with a substantial system of practices supported by a dynamic psychology to move toward these goals. These practices and psychology are equally applicable to transformation in the inner sense, as well as the outer sense. What we do and say in the world is a reflection of our inner landscape.

This evening will explore the intersection between inner and outer transformation, and how the practices and psychology handed down to us by the Historical Buddha are essential in dealing with the turbulence, chaos and change taking place in our country. That change is broad and deep – socially, culturally, racially and politically. In this context, we’ll look at the role and obligations of those in spiritual communities, both individually and collectively, in making decisions about government initiated or sanctioned harming and violence.

Come prepared with your questions on these topics to supplement the talk and discussion with 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.

/by

*Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor, Diane Wilde

When Is Anger Skillful?

Is anger an empowering and appropriate response to suffering and injustice, or does it only cause more conflict? Is it skillful or unskillful? Does it help or hurt? With so many bad things happening in the world these days, there’s a lot of debate about the proper role of anger. The answer may lie in the fundamental distinction Buddhism makes between anger and aggression. We’ll discuss how to channel anger appropriately as taught in the Pali Cannon, as well as reflections from other teachers and sangha members.

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.

/by