(Hybrid) Daylong Retreat – Walt Opie – Working with Distracting Thoughts

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Hybrid Event

April 26, 2025 @ 9:30 am – 3:30 pm PDT

Daylong Retreat with SIM Teacher Walt Opie

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

Retreat Theme: Working with Distracting Thoughts

One of the most challenging aspects of meditation can be learning how to work with distracting thoughts that keep recurring or may feel particularly “sticky” in some way. There is a well-known sutta or discourse (MN 20) whose translated title is “The Removal of Distracting Thoughts.” We will explore the advice offered by the Buddha in this sutta, as well as other teachings on this subject. At the same time, this will be a daylong retreat focused mainly on the practice of insight meditation, with periods of sitting and walking meditation, plus dharma talks and time for discussion.
Bring your lunch. Appropriate for beginning and experienced meditators. 

About This Hybrid Retreat
  • 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
  • 03/05/2025 – Registration opens.
  • 04/26/2025 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
  • 04/26/2025 – For registration after the retreat, send a message to the registrar to arrange payment.
Registration
$25 – $50 Registration Fee

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.

ATTEND In-Person
ATTEND on Zoom
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
Join Retreat Online
  • 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: 857 6491 8711 and Passcode: 478784

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
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CANCELLED TALK TONIGHT – (Hybrid) Sitting Session 7PM – 8PM

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April 3, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm PDT

DONATE – Thu Talk

Hybrid (in-person and online)

3111 Wissemann Drive (or *ZOOM)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
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(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk – Dennis Warren – Practice As Discovery

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Hybrid Event

March 27, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT

Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with 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.

Talk Theme

Practice As Discovery
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.
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 – Mar 27 Dennis from the dropdown list.

DONATE – Thu Talk
How to Attend Remotely
Join Zoom Meeting

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 821 5948 5895 and Passcode: 927093)
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
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(Hybrid) SIM Community Gathering: Continuing the Conversation on SIM’s Future

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Hybrid Event

March 20, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT

* Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or onsite at the Sacramento Dharma Center.

SIM Community Gathering: Continuing the Conversation on SIM’s Future
Join us as we continue the conversation from our February 13th introduction to SIM’s Five-Year Plan and fundraising effort. This gathering will be an opportunity for the community to ask questions, share reflections, and engage in small group discussions about the future of our sangha.

If you missed the February 13th presentation, you can listen to the recording here: State of the Sangha.

Your voice is essential as we navigate the choices ahead. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, we encourage you to participate in this important dialogue. Together, we can shape a sustainable and thriving future for SIM.

Offer a Donation

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Mar 20 SIM from the dropdown list.

DONATE – Thu Talk

How to Attend Remotely
Join Zoom Meeting

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 821 5948 5895 and Passcode: 927093)
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
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(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk – Adam Stonebraker – Expect Nothing, Embrace Everything: A Path to Freedom

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Hybrid Event

March 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT

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

What happens when we let go of expectations and open fully to life as it is? This talk explores the freedom that comes from releasing grasping and resistance, allowing us to meet each moment with wisdom, compassion, and ease.

ADAM STONEBRAKER, a dedicated practitioner of Yoga and Meditation since 1999, serves as the Guiding Teacher for Mountain Stream Meditation, in Nevada City, CA. Adam’s teachings are deeply rooted in his extensive training in Yoga and a long-standing devotion to Buddhadharma, which inspire him to guide others towards realizing their unique potential in mind and body. His primary goal is to help individuals trust their innate wisdom and embrace the profound sense of interconnection that defines our existence.
In 2019, Adam completed a Master’s degree in the pioneering Mindfulness Studies Program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, further enriching his understanding and teaching of mindfulness practices.

Offer a Teacher Donation

Adam Stonebraker will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Mar 13 Adam from the dropdown list.

DONATE – Thu Talk
How to Attend Remotely
Join Zoom Meeting

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 821 5948 5895 and Passcode: 927093)
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
/by

(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk with Tony Bernhard

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Hybrid Event

March 6, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PST

For biographical details of the teacher Tony Bernhard, click here.

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

Offer a Teacher Donation

Tony Bernhard will receive at least 75% of your donation.

Use the following donate button and select Talk – Mar 6 Tony B from the dropdown list.

DONATE – Thu Talk

How to Attend Remotely
Join Zoom Meeting

Join online meeting: https://zoom.us/join or join by phone at 1-669-900-6833
( Meeting ID: 821 5948 5895 and Passcode: 927093)
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
/by

2/6/2025 “The Art of Being Wrong” with Diane Wilde

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

Be honest.  How well do you accept criticism or an admonishment?  What is your response when an action you have taken, or a view you hold is challenged by another?  or corrected? Have you ever investigated your physical and mental response when you have been in this situation? 

According to Buddhist philosophy, a critique of an action or belief which is contrary to your own could be of strategic benefit to you… if you are able to hear it. One of the Buddha’s most well-known senior monks, Mahamoggallana, offered guidance on this subject — enumerating the qualities of someone who can and cannot be admonished. Equally important, how do we effectively offer another person a differing —and often challenging — point of view or advice. Will we endanger our relationship? Mahamoggallana’s reflections are as relevant today as they were 2,600 years ago.

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(Onsite) Daylong Retreat with Rich Howard – Awareness of Presence and Absence

March 29, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm PDT

Daylong Retreat with SIM Community Teacher Rich Howard

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

Retreat Theme

Awareness of Presence and Absence
In these challenging and uncertain times, our practice of awareness can benefit us greatly. Being aware of our state of mind, we are less likely to react unconsciously when things don’t go our way. While we may be familiar with noticing what is present, the historical Buddha instructed us in the Satipatthana Siutta section on “mindfulness of mind” (cittanupassana) to be aware also of what is absent: “ It’s when a [practitioner] understands mind with greed as ‘mind with greed,’ and mind without greed as ‘mind without greed.’ They understand mind with hate as ‘mind with hate,’ and mind without hate as ‘mind without hate.’ They understand mind with delusion as ‘mind with delusion,’ and mind without delusion as ‘mind without delusion.’ etc.” In this daylong retreat, we will explore awareness in the style of Sayadaw U Tejaniya, with short instructional talks from Rich and ample opportunity for loosely structured sitting and walking practice, as well as question/response periods.

Plan to bring a lunch and stay all day. The intention for the day is to leave participants with confidence in there ability to bring awareness into diverse situations in this world, right now. 

About This Onsite Retreat
  • This is an IN-PERSON event only.
  • Pre-registration is required and we recommend you pay the registration fee in advance using the registration button shown below. 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
  • 02/03/2025 – Registration opens.
  • 03/29/2025 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
  • 03/29/2025 – For registration after the retreat, send a message to the registrar to arrange payment.
Registration
$25 – $50 Registration Fee

Select the following registration “ATTEND” button to indicate that you’ll be attending 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 payment the registrar will confirm your registration within 48 hours. Thanks for your patience.

ATTEND In-person
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.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

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

State of the Sangha (Feb 13)

Sacramento Insight Meditation invites you to a special gathering on Thursday, February 13 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST. On this evening, we’ll reflect on our journey as a community, share our vision for the next five years, and discuss the financial health of our sangha. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow practitioners, learn about our five-year plan, and explore how we can all contribute to creating a vibrant and sustainable future together.

Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of SIM’s initiatives in teaching, leadership, and infrastructure, and consider how our collective efforts will support future generations of Dharma practitioners.

Your presence and input are vital as we shape the path forward. We hope to see you there, either in-person or on Zoom! For meeting location and Zoom details, CLICK HERE.

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1/30/2025 “What is the Middle Way?” with Kim Allen

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 Buddha used the term “middle way” a bit differently than we do in everyday language. It is not splitting the difference, staying safely in a “middling” zone, or even the literal avoidance of extremes, but rather, a distinct mode of action that leads to a superior result.

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