Visit Us
SIM meets online and in-person at the Sacramento Dharma Center
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
(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk with Tony Bernhard
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationMay 28 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT
Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Tony Bernhard
For biographical details of the teacher Tony Bernhard, click here.
Offer a Teacher Donation
The teacher will receive at least 75% of your donation.
Use the following donate button and select Talk – May 28 Tony 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: 894 1555 3957 and Passcode: 538462)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.
Hybrid (in-person and online)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk with Rich Howard
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationMay 21 @ 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.
Offer a Teacher Donation
Rich Howard will receive at least 75% of your donation.
Use the following donate button and select Talk – May 21 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: 894 1555 3957 and Passcode: 538462)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.
Hybrid (in-person and online)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk with Dennis Warren
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationMay 14 @ 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.
Offer a Teacher Donation
Dennis Warren will receive at least 75% of your donation.
Use the following donate button and select Talk – May 14 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: 894 1555 3957 and Passcode: 538462)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.
Hybrid (in-person and online)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
(Hybrid) Sit & Dharma Talk – Seth Castleman – Enough is Enough! The Dharma of Renunciation
Online Remote, Weekly MeditationMay 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT
Insight Meditation and Dharma Talk with SIM Visiting Teacher Seth Castleman
For biographical details of the teacher Seth Castleman, click here.
Offer a Teacher Donation
Seth Castleman will receive at least 75% of your donation.
Use the following donate button and select Talk – May 7 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: 894 1555 3957 and Passcode: 538462)
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.
Hybrid (in-person and online)
Sacramento, CA 95826 United States
2/19/2026 “State of the Sangha Gathering” with Diane Wilde & Amy Kovak
Audio DharmaPlease join us for our 2026 State of the Sangha gathering. We continue the tradition begun last year of keeping our community informed about what is happening at SIM, including updates on teaching, finances, and Board succession.
We will share where we are in our five-year plan, reflect on the past year, and offer a clear picture of SIM’s financial health. This is an opportunity to ask questions, stay informed, and better understand how our community is moving forward.
We look forward to gathering together in a spirit of transparency as we continue to strengthen our community.
2/12/2026 “Mindfulness’ in Buddhist Practice” with Dennis Warren
Audio Dharma“Mindfulness” has become such a commonly used term in Western culture that its meaning now has a shape-shifting quality to it. Its definition depends on the person or group talking about it.
This evening will focus on Right Mindfulness in Buddhist practice, and distinguish it for the broader culture connotations it has taken on. Join us to explore together the following questions:
What is “Right” mindfulness in Buddhist practice?
Of what are we supposed to be mindful?
Why is mindfulness important?
How does one “do” or “be” mindful?
What is the experience of mindfulness?
2/5/2026 “Right Concentration” with Walt Opie
Audio DharmaAs part of our ongoing series, this talk will examine the final factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is Right Concentration. Practicing Right Effort and Right Mindfulness, in combination with a strong foundation in ethical behavior (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood) leads eventually to a more focused or unified mind that is easily able to stay with one object like the breath or to maintain continuous awareness as the objects of our attention change (thoughts, sights, sounds, tastes, etc). With this steady, still, undistracted mind, we are then ready to cultivate insight which leads to wisdom (Right View, Right Intention) and potentially to full awakening.
Protected: Cultivating The Seven Factors – Audio Dharma
Study GroupProtected: Non-residential Retreat Audio Dharma
Retreat1/29/2026 “Right Effort” with Diane Wilde
Audio DharmaTonight we continue our series on the Noble Eightfold Path with Right Effort, the first of the “Samadhi” factors, the teachings that deal with mental cultivation.
Right Effort addresses our inner life: preventing unwholesome states from arising, letting go of those that have already appeared, and cultivating and sustaining wholesome qualities of mind. Traditionally, it is not about striving or self-pressure, but about wise discernment—knowing what nourishes clarity, kindness, and freedom, and what leads to suffering. Learning what sort of effort to expend in our sitting meditation is crucial for developing insight. In daily life, Right Effort shows up as choosing where we place our attention, how we respond to habits and emotions, and when we gently redirect ourselves rather than push or judge. It is the practice of effort that is balanced, humane, and aligned with our deepest values.