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What is Dana?
Dana is a Buddhist word that means generosity or heart. Nearly all Sacramento Insight Meditation activities are offered on a dana (donations) basis. This means our programs 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. Practice dana, please support our Sangha. DONATE NOW
10/13/2022 “Contemplating Impermanence through our Relation to Time” with Andrea Castillo
Audio Dharma“All conditioned things are impermanent.
They arise and they pass away.
Understanding this deeply brings
the greatest happiness, which is peace.”
The insight into impermanence, the first of the three universal characteristics, is essential in developing wisdom. In this talk we will be contemplating impermanence through the perspective of time and how we relate to time.
10/06/2022 “Fear of Freedom” with Diane Wilde with Eric Clark
Audio DharmaEverybody talks about freedom, demands freedom, struggles for freedom and are willing to fight for freedom. Freedom is in the news; people make stirring speeches insisting they be given their freedom. Demanding freedom is a much easier task than actually experiencing and practicing true freedom. Perhaps this is because true freedom can be frightening, painful and disorienting. As Janice Joplin sang: “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.” There is a lot of wisdom in that phrase.
Incarcerated people and ”returning citizens” who crave freedom may be the best source of understanding how we long for freedom, and yet find in the traditional sense, it is not what we/they expected. Please join us for this important discussion.
New 9-Month Course : The Noble Eightfold Path
NewsSIM’s Community Teacher Diane Wilde will be teaching a new nine-month course “The Noble Eightfold Path: A Path for Living with Contentment, Compassion and Purpose“. This 2023 course offering runs monthly from March 19 through November 19, meeting in-person at the Dharma Center. For more information or to register now, visit the course overview page listed below.
09/29/2022 “Settling the Mind” with Diana Clark
Audio DharmaHaving a mind that is collected and settled is not only a pleasant experience, but it is also a support for greater wisdom and letting go. Given this, how can we encourage the mind to settle without straining or bearing down?
Community, Board Newsletter #3
NewsRegarding the 2022 Sacramento Insight Meditation Retreat at the Mercy Center in Auburn, CA, we have some retreat photos and reflections to share. Click on a photo or click here for details, including reflections written by Cedric Orange and by Megan Carney.
09/22/2022 “Apologies, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation” with Seth Castleman
Audio DharmaSIM Annual Retreat Online Survey
Annual Retreat, NewsSurvey regarding the 2023 annual retreat.
Are you interested in attending a 2023 SIM retreat at the Mercy Center with Greg Scharf?
How likely are you to attend the SIM retreat if the dates are November 12 through November 19?
Are you willing to help with planning or managing the SIM 2023 retreat?
Protected: 2022 Retreat Audio Dharma
Retreat09/15/2022 “The Essential Dhamma” with Ayya Anandabodhi
Audio Dharma09/08/2022 “Various Aspects of Faith in Buddhism” with Walt Opie
Audio DharmaOne of the attractive aspects of Buddhism to many of us is that it does not require blind faith in a teacher or the teachings. However, in several suttas, the Buddha referred to faith as a type of wealth or treasure. And Bhikkhu Bodhi has said the significance of faith is that it “serves as a spur to practice.” There are at least three different types of faith described in our Buddhist tradition, including bright faith, verified faith, and unshakeable faith. We will take a look at these and other facets of faith.