Hybrid Event

September 27, 2025 @ 9:00 am 3:30 pm PDT

Daylong Retreat with SIM Teacher Reverend Diane Wilde

For biographical details of the teacher Diane Wilde, click here.

Retreat Theme

Death As Our Teacher
Just as life is happening all around us, so is death. Human beings appear to be the only species that are conscious of our mortality. Yet most people purposefully ignore this fact of our existence, preferring to put efforts, thoughts and practice on “more pleasant things”. We yearn to “wake up”, to let go of our endless attachments and experience contentment and ease in our lives. Paradoxically, facing the death of our loved ones and ourselves, is one of the classic Buddhist teachings for accepting the truth of existence and waking up to impermanence.  It is also a teaching that can greatly reduce and perhaps even eliminate the biggest delusion of all… that everyone else will die, except me. By avoiding the reality of our own deaths, we deny ourselves the life-affirming lessons that acceptance of death provides… that life CAN BE lived joyfully and with gratitude. 
Please plan on staying all day and bring a lunch.

This daylong may not be suitable for those with anxiety, trauma or those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one.

About This Hybrid Retreat
  • The teacher will present in-person at the Dharma Center. Participants may attend this Hybrid event via Zoom or in-person at the SDC.
  • Pre-registration is required and we recommend you pay the registration fee in advance using the registration button shown below. Since your registration choice indicates if you’ll be attending via Zoom or in-person, registering early helps us determine how many people the meditation room should accommodate.
  • After you’ve registered you may later offer a donation in gratitude of the teacher. To offer teacher dana, visit https://sactoinsight.org/retreat-dana-online/.
Summary of Important Dates
  • 08/18/2025 – Registration opens.
  • 09/27/2025 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
  • 09/27/2025 – For registration after the retreat, send a message to the registrar to arrange payment.
Registration

Select one of the following registration “ATTEND” buttons to indicate if you’ll be attending via Zoom or in-person. The fee is $25.00 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 $35 or $50 dollars. For the registration fee, we also accept personal checks. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information.
Before registering for this event, please click here to review SIM’s Registration Refund Policy.

After we receive your registration payment, SIM will confirm your registration within 48 hours. Thanks for your patience.

Questions for the Registrar?

If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.

Teacher Dana

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. To make a donation for this event using a credit card or PayPal account, click here to DONATE ONLINE.

How to Attend Remotely via Zoom
  • The link to attend the retreat via Zoom appears in three places: The Zoom link is on this page – select the button “Join Retreat Online” to connect to the meeting.
  • The Zoom link is included in the automated email sent with your “Attend on Zoom” registration.
  • The Zoom link is https://joinconferencing.zoom.us/join, with Meeting ID: 867 6522 7189 and Passcode: 851680

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
Hybrid Event

August 30, 2025 @ 9:30 am 3:00 pm PDT

Daylong Retreat with SIM Teacher Vance Pryor

For biographical details of the teacher Vance Pryor, click here.

Retreat Theme

A Day of Mindfulness and Lovingkindness
Join us for a quiet day of meditation, reflection, and heartful presence. We will gently cultivate continuous mindfulness through sitting and walking practice, supported by teachings on awareness and metta (lovingkindness). Suitable for all experience levels, the day offers a spacious container for inner steadiness and warmth. The day will consist of sitting and walking practice, Q & R periods, and short reflections given throughout the day.

About This Hybrid Retreat
  • The teacher will present in-person at the Dharma Center.
    Participants may attend this Hybrid event via Zoom or in-person at the SDC.
  • Pre-registration is required and we recommend you pay the registration fee in advance using the registration button shown below. Since your registration choice indicates if you’ll be attending via Zoom or in-person, registering early helps us determine how many people the meditation room should accommodate.
  • After you’ve registered you may later offer a donation in gratitude of the teacher. To offer teacher dana, visit https://sactoinsight.org/retreat-dana-online/.
Summary of Important Dates
  • 07/20/2025 – Registration opens.
  • 08/30/2025 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
  • 08/30/2025 – For registration after the retreat, send a message to the registrar to arrange payment.
Registration

Select one of the following registration “ATTEND” buttons to indicate if you’ll be attending via Zoom or in-person. The fee is $25.00 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 $35 or $50 dollars. For the registration fee, we also accept personal checks. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information.
Before registering for this event, please click here to review SIM’s Registration Refund Policy.

NOTE: After we receive your registration payment, SIM will confirm your registration within 48 hours. Thanks for your patience.

Questions for the Registrar?

If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.

Teacher Dana

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. To make a donation for this event using a credit card or PayPal account, click here to DONATE ONLINE.

How to Attend Remotely via Zoom
  • The link to attend the retreat via Zoom appears in three places: The Zoom link is on this page – select this link “Join Retreat Online” to connect to the meeting.
  • The Zoom link is included in the automated email sent with your “Attend on Zoom” registration.
  • The Zoom link is https://joinconferencing.zoom.us/join, with Meeting ID: 850 0852 6985 and Passcode:  046781

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States

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To download this talk, right-click and select ‘save audio as’ or select the 3-dot menu to the right of the speaker icon.

The Historical Buddha said that he taught only suffering and the end of suffering. While this sounds straightforward, the psychology, multitude of methods, and 1000s of the Buddha’s discourses can make understanding how to end suffering unclear and confusing.

At the center of getting a sound overview of practice, and understanding how the many pieces of practice fit together in one, cohesive whole, is the principle of discovery. It is the center piece around which all elements of practice revolve.
The talk and discussion this evening will focus on this important principle and the role it plays in meditation, daily life, and relationships.

Hybrid Event

June 26, 2025 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm PDT

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with SIM Teacher Rich Howard

For biographical details of the teacher Rich Howard, click here.

* The teacher will present in-person at the Dharma Center.
Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

Listening to the Cries of the World
It seems that the volume has been turned up in so many areas of modern life: political rhetoric, forceful opinions, horrific wars, ….  Listening to an inner voice becomes harder, and listening to others nearly impossible. Yet sustaining and developing our practice of mindful awareness requires listening to our heart’s subtle whispers, and applying that practice in the world requires listening to the cries of the world to find where compassion is needed most. In addition, our relationships require a deep listening to spoken and silent expressions of connection. We will explore the inner and outer practices of listening and look for applications in our meditation practice and our daily life.

Offer a Teacher Donation

Rich Howard will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Jun 26 Rich from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 824 3438 6704 and Passcode: 244812)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
Hybrid Event

June 19, 2025 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm PDT

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren

For biographical details of the teacher Dennis Warren, click here.

  • The teacher will present in-person at the Dharma Center.
    Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

On Thought and Thinking
Many practitioners relate to thought and thinking as obstacles to meditation and daily life practice. This evening, in contrast, will explore the Historical Buddha’s teachings that thought and thinking can be functions of wisdom.

The Buddha’s vision emphasizes the qualities of intention and discernment in thinking as guides for creating, and testing, a sound conceptual framework for practice. This approach includes mindful and intuitive reflection on the results or outcomes of one’s efforts. Thinking and thought can become powerful tools for developing clarity, deepening insight, and supporting ethical conduct.

The subject matter of this evening will be appropriate for all stages of practice. You can attend in person or by ZOOM. Dennis will be presenting in person and encourages you to be there in person as well.

Offer a Teacher Donation

Dennis Warren will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Jun 19 Dennis from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 824 3438 6704 and Passcode: 244812)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
Hybrid Event

June 12, 2025 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm PDT

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with SIM Teacher Walt Opie

For biographical details of the teacher Walt Opie, click here.

* The teacher will present remotely via Zoom.
Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

Understanding The Four Noble Truths
According to Bhikkhu Bodhi, it is said that “the purpose of the Buddha’s appearance in the world… is to proclaim the four noble truths.” This was also the Buddha’s very first teaching where he “set in motion the wheel of the dhamma.”

We will explore these four truths of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the way leading to the cessation of suffering, and see how they can apply to modern life. 

Offer a Teacher Donation

Walt Opie will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Jun 12 Walt from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 824 3438 6704 and Passcode: 244812)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
Hybrid Event

June 5, 2025 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm PDT

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Seth Castleman

For biographical details of the teacher Seth Castleman, click here.

* The teacher will present in-person at the Dharma Center.
Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

Trying to Make Change in the World
How contemplative practice and non-violence approaches can bring about transformation, not just internally but in the world at large.

Offer a Teacher Donation

Seth Castleman will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Jun 5 Seth from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 824 3438 6704 and Passcode: 244812)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
Hybrid Event

May 29, 2025 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm PDT

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with SIM Teacher Diana Clark

For biographical details of the teacher Diana Clark, click here.

* The teacher will present in-person at the Dharma Center.
Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

When the Heart Sees Clearly
It’s not uncommon to think of insight as cool clarity, but its deepest power may arise through the warmth of the heart.

Offer a Teacher Donation

Diana Clark will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – May 29 Diana from the dropdown list.

How to Attend Remotely

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 824 3438 6704 and Passcode: 244812)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States

May 14, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 8:00 pm PDT

Our Buddhist Recovery Group meets in-person every Wednesday evening. For additional information, visit the Buddhist Recovery Sangha page at https://sactoinsight.org/activities/practice-opportunities/12-step-sangha/.

Online Donations – Buddhist Recovery Group

Use the following donate button and select Buddhist Recovery Group from the dropdown list.

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Tom Hopkins

1-916-307-8066

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States