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

We all experience shame.  It is a universal emotion with some social scientists and psychologists saying it is an innate human trait, and others insisting it evolved within our social fabric. It is considered an absolutely essential emotion in some societies, and yet, is also frequently considered mentally damaging. The causes of shame have dramatically changed, from lack of adherence to prescriptive social mores of the past, to shaming of individuals on social media today. The Buddha also taught about shame (hiri) and its companion, the dread of shame (ottapa). Shame and the reasons for shame as taught by the Buddha are quite different then the “shaming” we experience in contemporary society. We will discuss this complex emotion, its history and why it is an important, yet often overlooked Buddhist teaching.

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

Deciding what is the “Right” or skillful thing to do can be confusing when we are suffering. On one hand, the modern interpretation of the Historical Buddha’s teachings seems to offer an endless number of potential methods and solutions. On the other, what method or approach is actually effective in a particular situation can be elusive. The Buddha’s teachings on Right Understanding describe a straight forward, practical and helpful model for working with confusion, struggle and suffering. These teachings become a powerful set of tools for living, problem solving and growth when they are combined with the teachings on Right Intention and Right Effort. Together, they provide short term strategies for working with the immediate, real-time challenges in our lives; as well as strategies for pointing the mind, body and heart into long term satisfaction and peace.
The subject matter of this evening is appropriate for all levels of practice.

We are currently scheduling shifts for May 18 and June 15.  Volunteer opportunities include cooks, who prepare the meal from 2:30-4:15 pm, and servers, who work from 4:15-6:00pm. You are not expected to work all three dates, just whatever works for you.  We are welcoming new volunteers as we bolster our volunteer pool.  Come join us as we practice generosity and compassion in the greater community.  If you are not already on the email list and wish to volunteer or have questions, please contact SIM Community member Mary Howard at mary@sactoinsight.org.

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

As practitioners of mindful awareness, we want to remain openhearted to the suffering in the world. Our practice teaches us to turn toward conditions as they are, without needing to avoid unpleasant sensations, emotions, or thoughts. This openheartedness leads naturally to compassion, the impulse to take action on behalf of those who are experiencing suffering. However, Western psychology has recognized a condition called “compassion fatigue,” the “secondary trauma” that can result from helping others and that may lead to diminished capacity to empathize or feel compassion. Given all the suffering in the world and our access to it via global media, we may be overwhelmed and start to shut down to the world and those close to us. This evening, we will take a look at how our practice may help us recognize compassion fatigue as it develops and maintain an open heart.

Sacramento Insight Meditation recently created a Listening Council to hear concerns from members of our sangha, recognizing that in any community difficulties, misunderstandings and conflict may sometimes arise. Items for the Listening Council might include, for example, conflicts or communication difficulties between sangha members; concerns about behavior by a sangha member that might prove harmful to others; or concerns about inappropriate behavior or ethical breaches by a Board or Faculty member.

Our aspiration is to support the resolution of such problems through effective, responsible means based on Buddhist principles of wisdom, compassion, and right action.

Members of our community seeking support in resolving their concerns should feel free to reach out to one of our Listening Council members:

  • Jerry Simkins (jerrys@sactoinsight.org)
  • Robin Primavera (robinp@sactoinsight.org)
  • Tom Vigran (tom@sactoinsight.org)
  • Barb Briscoe (barbb@sactoinsight.org)

Further details about procedures that will guide the work of the Listening Council are available on our Listening Council webpage (shown below).


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Hybrid Event

May 26, 2022 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm PDT

Talk topic: to be announced

Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Teacher Rev. Diane Wilde

* Hybrid events can be attended via Zoom or in-person at the Sacramento Dharma Center

Join online meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82328777620 , Passcode: 739725
Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 ( Meeting ID: 823 2877 7620 )
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

Thursday Night Talk Dana
[give_form id=”9758″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”] “Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha
Please use the form above to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and 75% of your donation will be shared with Rev. Diane Wilde.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

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

May 12, 2022 @ 7:00 pm 9:15 pm PDT

Talk Topic, “Taking the One Seat:  In the Body, In Stillness, With All Experience”

Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Senior Teacher Heather Sundberg

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

Teachings and practices on the following expressions of Taking the One Seat will be offered: Somatically, Steadying the mind and Working with non-reactivity at the sense doors.

This evening Talk will serve as an introduction to the June 25th daylong retreat, covering foundational topics from which the daylong will deepen into and expand upon.  For 6/25/22 retreat details, click here.

Thursday Night Talk Dana
[give_form id=”4336″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”] “Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha
Please use the form above to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and 100% of your donation will be shared with Heather Sundberg.

Join online meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83471891809 , Passcode: 334531
Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 ( Meeting ID: 834 7189 1809 )
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

HEATHER SUNDBERG has practiced insight meditation since 1993, and was first invited to teach meditation classes in 1999. Soon afterwards, she participated in the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader program (CDL2), graduating in 2003. She began teaching Residential Retreats in Insight Meditation in 2004. Next, Heather completed the four-year Spirit Rock/Insight Meditation Society Senior Teacher Training. Additional biographical details are available at http://heathersundberg.com/about.html.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

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

May 5, 2022 @ 7:00 pm 9:15 pm PDT

Talk Topic: to be announced

Sit & Dharma Talk with Visiting Teacher Tony Bernhard

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

Thursday Night Talk Dana

[give_form id=”15406″ show_title=”false” show_content=”none” display_style=”reveal”] “Generosity is the virtue that leads to peace.” – The Historical Buddha
Please use this form to donate by credit card or your PayPal account. Enter the amount you’d like to give and 75% of your donation will be shared with Tony Bernhard.

Join online meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82284611142 , Passcode: 852317
Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 ( Meeting ID: 822 8461 1142 )
For tips and instructions to join the meeting, click here to check this news blog.

TONY BERNHARD is a Buddhist chaplain and teacher. He maintains an active practice with inmates in Folsom Prison and hosts sitting groups in Davis. He sits on the board of the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies and teaches regularly around the bay area and central valley. His practice is non-traditional, guided by his chaplaincy work in prison, his teaching and by his study of the early Pali scriptures.

Hybrid (in-person and online)

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

March 27, 2022 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm PDT

Great news for SIM families, grandparents, aunts and uncles! Family Sangha is returning (Sunday, March 27th); whether you are a parent, aunt or uncle, or grandparent, you are invited to bring your child/children to Sacramento Dharma Center for our first IN-PERSON Family Sangha gathering since the start of the pandemic.  Come celebrate. This is a mahasangha event. Follow the link below for further details or click here: