"All experience is preceded by mind, 
Led by mind,
Made by mind.
Speak or act with a corrupted mind, 
And suffering follows
As the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox.
All experience is preceded by mind, 
Led by mind,
Made by mind.
Speak or act with a peaceful mind, 
And happiness follows,
Like a never-departing shadow."
- Dhammapada (Gil Fronsdal translation)

Dear Sangha:  
Right now, more than ever the world is in need of the spiritual practices of non-harming, selfless compassion and connection with community.  Jack Kornfield states that "when greed is replaced by generosity, hatred is replaced by love and ignorance is replaced by wisdom, we all thrive."  We are grateful to all of you for the generosity of your presence in the Sangha and for the myriad of ways that you bring your love and wisdom into the world.  And may the offerings of the Sangha continue to be of benefit to all beings. 

We are so looking forward to Brian for offering this extensive upcoming residency and we hope that you all can attend. Brian is also offering individual practice discussions (see times below) and has opened retreat registration to those who can only attend the initial weekend.
FEBRUARY RESIDENCY
February Residency With Brian Lesage
PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION: A WAY TO FREEDOM  
(retreat will take place on ZOOM)
The Buddha’s teachings leading to freedom can be summed up as practices that train us to perceive our experience in different ways. Through perceiving our experience in these different ways, we are gradually freed from the limiting habits that constrict our hearts and minds. A function of play is to practice new ways of experiencing the world. During this residency, we will playfully explore classical ways of perceiving our experience and explore how they lead to freedom that is relevant to our daily lives. This offering will include retreat time and weeknight discussions. This residency is open to both beginning and experienced practitioners. 
 
The format of the residency will be as follows: 
February 10 - February 28, 2021 
Wednesday, February 10, 6:30 – 7:45pm  Introductory talk 
Saturday, February 13th - Sunday, February 14th  9:00am - 3:00pm both days 
Wednesday, February 17, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion  
Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion 
Saturday, February 27th - Sunday February 28th 9:00am - 3:00pm both days 
Registration is online at :
https://salidasangha.eventsmart.com/?p=106
Priority ​registration ​will ​be ​given ​to ​those ​who ​are able to register ​for ​the ​entire ​program. ​ Brian opened registration for those who can attend only the first weekend, please indicate this wish when you register.
 
PRIVATE PRACTICE DISCUSSIONS w/ BRIAN
Brian will be offering private practice sessions via Zoom on  
Tuesdays, Feb. 16th & 23rd - 9:30am; 10am; 10:30am
Wednesdays, Feb. 17th & 24th - 10am; 10:30am; 11:00am; 11:30am. 
To reserve a time and to obtain meeting link,  please email sangha@salidasangha.org
UPCOMING CLASSES
Awakening Joy - 10 Steps to Happiness
A ​10 Week Virtual Class taught by Cindy Sasso
This class will be using Zoom​
Mondays, Jan 18 - Mar 22, 2021 - 6:00-7:30 pm or
Thursdays, Jan 21 - Mar 25, 2021 - 10:00-11:30 am
 
​Awakening Joy will guide you on a journey to embrace happiness and well-being and chart a path to an enriching and meaningful engagement with life. Through this class, we will learn skills that can be applied to our everyday life.  Each class will include a theme, exercises and group discussion. 
Suggested Donation: $0 - $175 (no one will be turned away due to inability to pay)
For more information visit www.cindysasso.com.Introduction to Meditation Course
In this 5-week online course, we will learn multiple meditation practices that help us move from reactivity to response-ability in everyday life. Classes via ZOOM. Each class will include short meditation sessions, a Q&R(response) period, and homework for the week.
Wednesdays, Jan. 27 - Feb. 24, 12:15pm - 1:30pm.
Suggested Donation $0-$105 (no one will be turned away due to inability to donate)
For more information visit: www.deniseackert.com
Mindful Parenting Course
In this 5-week online course, we will learn mindful parenting tools that help reduce reactivity & increase healthy communication, compassion, and ease, leading to healthier, happier, more connected families. Classes via ZOOM. The course includes discussion, mindfulness practice, and weekly home practices.
Thursdays, Jan. 28 - Feb. 25, 12:00pm-1:15pm
Suggested Donation: $0-$105 (no one will be turned away due to inability to donate)
For more information visit: www.deniseackert.com
SANGHA WEEKLY SITS (via Zoom)

Sunday 5:00-6:00 pm Sit and Discussion
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/731489839
Meeting ID: 731 489 839
 
Tuesday Noon Sit
https://zoom.us/j/645877836
Meeting ID: 645 877 836

ADDITIONAL SANGHA NEWS
CARING COMMITTEE
Our Caring Committee, under the leadership of Kym Mellsop, continues to offer meals, compassionate listening, and other non-financial support to our members.  One of our We Sangha members is offering compassionate listening and support for those struggling in any way at this time.  She has many years of experience in this area. If you are in need of any of these supports, please text Kym Mellsop (anonymously if you wish) at 719-207-3077 and she will help set this up.

LIBRARY ACCESS
Deb Tannenbaum has graciously offered to meet people at the sangha house who might want to access the great variety of books available in our library.  If you wish to check out books please contact Deb via email at tannenba8@aol.com or via phone at 719-539-5256.
MINDFUL RECOVERY
Mindful Recovery is a Buddhist-inspired support group for people struggling with every imaginable kind of addiction or compulsion.  That includes alcohol and other drugs of course, but also addictions to toxic relationships, anger, self-doubt, internet websites. The Mindful Recovery group is totally inclusive. Our program will not conflict with any other recovery programs you may have joined.  What you will find is kindness, acceptance, understanding, and support from people who understand.  What you will not find is judgement, criticism or exclusion.   Meetings are held (currently by Zoom), Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM.  Who attends, and what is said during meetings, is held in respectful confidence.  If you think this might be a place for you, please visit our web page for contact person and more information contact Denny Radabaugh, active member and recovering alcoholic, at (740) 816-1603 or email at dcradaba@owu.edu.  

JANUARY RENT DONATION
This month we sent $650 to the Alliance that empowers people beyond domestic violence and sexual abuse.  To learn more about their important work visit: alliancechaffee.org.

Sending Boundless Metta to You All,
Your Salida Sangha Board

​NEW YEAR'S EVE SIT
We are once again having our annual New Year's Eve meditation on (you guessed it) December 31st at 5:00 pm.  This year it's via Zoom.  PLEASE join us in celebrating the closing of 2020 and in welcoming a hopeful New Year!  Here is the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/731489839
Meeting ID: 731 489 839
We hope to see everyone there!
 
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
February Residency With Brian Lesage
PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION: A WAY TO FREEDOM  
 
The Buddha’s teachings leading to freedom can be summed up as practices that train us to perceive our experience in different ways. Through perceiving our experience in these different ways, we are gradually freed from the limiting habits that constrict our hearts and minds. A function of play is to practice new ways of experiencing the world. During this residency, we will playfully explore classical ways of perceiving our experience and explore how they lead to freedom that is relevant to our daily lives. This offering will include retreat time and weeknight discussions. This residency is open to both beginning and experienced practitioners. 
 
The format of the residency will be as follows: 
February 10 - February 28, 2021 
 
Wednesday, February 10, 6:30 – 7:45pm  Introductory talk 
Saturday, February 13th - Sunday, February 14th  9:00am - 3:00pm both days 
Wednesday, February 17, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion  
Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion 
Saturday, February 27th - Sunday February 28th 9:00am - 3:00pm both days 
This retreat will take place on ZOOM
Registration is online at :
https://salidasangha.eventsmart.com/?p=106
Priority ​registration ​will ​be ​given ​to ​those ​who ​are able to register ​for ​the ​entire ​program. ​ Please register early as we expect it to fill up quickly.
We are very grateful for Brian's generosity in offering us this extensive residency program!
AWAKENING JOY CLASSES
Awakening Joy
10 Steps to Happiness

​10 Week Virtual Class taught by Cindy Sasso
This class will be using Zoom
​
Mondays, Jan 18 - Mar 22, 2021 - 6:00-7:30 pm  
                or
Thursdays, Jan 21 - Mar 25, 2021 - 10:00-11:30 am
Suggested Donation: $0 - $175 (no one will be turned away due to inability to pay)

​Awakening Joy will guide you on a journey to embrace happiness and well-being and chart a path to an enriching and meaningful engagement with life. Through this class, we will learn skills that can be applied to our everyday life.  Each class will include a theme, exercises and group discussion. 

For more information visit www.cindysasso.com. 

WISHING YOU MANY JOYS AND BLESSINGS IN THE COMING YEAR!
Your Salida Sangha Board
 

​New Year's Eve
The Salida sangha will host a special meditation on (you guessed it) December 31st at 5:00 pm via Zoom.  PLEASE join us in celebrating the closing of 2020 and welcoming in a hopeful New Year!  Here is the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/731489839
Meeting ID: 731 489 839
SAVE THE DATES!
February Residency With Brian Lesage
PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION: A WAY TO FREEDOM  
The Buddha’s teachings leading to freedom can be summed up as practices that train us to perceive our experience in different ways. Through perceiving our experience in these different ways, we are gradually freed from the limiting habits that constrict our hearts and minds. A function of play is to practice new ways of experiencing the world. During this residency, we will playfully explore classical ways of perceiving our experience and explore how they lead to freedom that is relevant to our daily lives. This offering will include retreat time and weeknight discussions. This residency is open to both beginning and experienced practitioners. 
 
The format of the residency will be as follows: 
February 10 - February 28, 2021 
 
Wednesday, February 10, 6:30 – 7:45pm  Introductory talk 
Saturday, February 13th - Sunday, February 14th  9:00am - 3:00pm both days 
Wednesday, February 17, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion  
Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion 
Saturday, February 27th - Sunday February 28th 9:00am - 3:00pm both days 
This retreat will take place on ZOOM
The registration information will be sent out the first week in January.  Priority ​registration ​will ​be ​given ​to ​those ​who ​register ​for ​the ​entire ​program. ​  We are very grateful for Brian's generosity in offering us this extended residency program!

Our deepest condolences and metta go out to our dearest friend, teacher and board member Denise Ackert and her family after the recent passing of her beloved father.  We love you Denise!

And our love and happy holiday wishes to each and every one of you!  Hope to see you soon.
Your Salida sangha board

Warm Greetings Dear Sangha Member:

Right now, more than ever, the world is in need of the spiritual practices of non-harming, selfless compassion, and connection with community. Jack Kornfield states that “when greed is replaced by generosity, hatred is replaced by love, and ignorance is replaced by wisdom, we all thrive.” The Salida Sangha has been offering meditation practices that open the heart and expand our capacity for acknowledging our own suffering so that we have the courage and compassion to act to help others.

Since we have been unable to meet at the Sangha house, the owner, Roberta Smith, requested the rent payment of $650 be donated each month to support charities with a mission to serve those in need. The following is a list of those organizations: The Grainery Ministries, Chaffee County Community Foundation, Mindfulness in the Jail, Greater Arkansas River Nature Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Full Circle Restorative Justice, San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center, Truth and Conciliation, and Chaffee County Hospitality, Inc. (homeless shelter). In December we will donate to our beloved teacher and spiritual guide, Brian Lesage. A total of $6,500 donated to support the needs of our community! Deep gratitude to Roberta and for the generous heart of our Sangha members.

This past year, our teacher, Brian Lesage, offered two weekend retreats and two dharma talks addressing the pressing issues of our time with the pandemic and offering powerful remedies for our individual and collective suffering. Brian has generously offered to continue his support and inspiration for our Sangha by leading a ten day retreat February 12 to 21, 2021.

Our Sunday evening sit offers refuge now, as it has for over 15 years. Twice a week we offer a time to settle into mindful awareness, open our hearts, and connect deeply with others on the path.

We offer several weekly classes (such as Beginning Meditation, Awakening Joy, and Interdependence) that help our members deepen their practice.

Our Caring Committee offers home-cooked, nourishing meals to Sangha members who are in need as a result of surgery, injury, sickness, or experiencing challenging circumstances.

Community Outreach. We provided financial management support for the Marijuana Excise Tax Advisory Board grant that funds the Mindfulness in the Jail program. We also provide a space for weekly Mindful Recovery meetings supporting those who struggle with substance or compulsion-based addictions.
 
We hope that you will consider supporting all the programs that we offer by making a pledge to the Salida Sangha. Supporting our Sangha is a way to support positive change in the world.
 
Pledges make up the foundation that enables us to establish budgets and plan for programs with  confidence. Attached is a form that you can fill out and mail to PO Box 1420, Salida, CO, 81201, or email to elizabethritchie1506@gmail.com. Please fill one out even if you do not anticipate any change in your level of support as it helps with our budgeting decisions.

You can also make a one time gift or a monthly donation on our website by clicking the Donate button here:  http://www.salidasangha.org/donate.html

On behalf of the Sangha Board and all the Sangha members, we extend our deep appreciation for your practice as we walk this path together finding ways to act with courage and compassion in the midst of difficult times. May the blessings of your generosity be of great benefit to ourselves and radiate to all beings.
With love, Your Sangha Board

 
Pledge Form for 2021
Salida Sangha, Inc.
PO Box 1420
Salida, CO 81201

Thank you for your generosity in supporting the Salida Sangha by making a pledge to help pay for the Sangha’s expenses. Your support as a caring donor will help to sustain this beautiful place of refuge. The expenses for the Sangha are detailed in the budget adopted at our annual meeting, and those details are shared freely with all members.
 
If, at any time, your circumstances change, you may modify your pledge with a simple communication.
There are several options for offering an ongoing pledge: a monthly, quarterly or annual check; or go to http://www.salidasangha.org/donate.html and click the DONATE button; you may set up a recurring monthly donation by debit or credit card through PayPal. Please contact the Sangha Board at: sangha@salidasangha.org if you have any questions. Pledge amounts are held in confidence by the Board Treasurer.
Yes, I pledge the following total annual amount _______________ to be paid in installments of_________________ each.
Method: (circle one) check or PayPal.
Frequency: (circle one) monthly, quarterly, annually (date of annual check)______________
Other ____________________________________________________________

(Please note that the Salida Sangha believes in the principles that dana is freely given, that membership does not depend on pledging, and that there are many ways to be a part of this community).

Name _____________________________________________________________
Email _____________________________________________________________
Phone_____________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________

Salida Sangha, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. No substantial goods or services were provided for this donation. The Salida Sangha, Inc. tax ID is 47-2096018. You will receive a statement of your donation for the year with a notice that will be sent to you by the end of January.

We regret that our free Mailchimp account does not enable us to attach this pledge form as a Word document.  In order to save a lot of money we request that you copy, paste and print the pledge form in order to mail it in.  OR if you simply reply to this message we will be HAPPY to send you the Word document in a regular email for easier printing options!!!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT

REMINDER
Salida Sangha Annual Meeting Is December 6, 2020 at 5:00 pm
 
Please join us for this important meeting which keeps us compliant with our 501c3 nonprofit status.
Among the items to be discussed are the board election, proposed 2021 budget, upcoming retreats and updates about the sangha house and what's been happening this year.
If you would like to see a copy of the budget ahead of time please reply to this email and we will be happy to send it to you.
Here is the Zoom link for the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/731489839
Meeting ID:  731 489 839

After the meeting you are all invited to stay on Zoom and we will do some breakout rooms so that people with have a chance to visit and catch up with their friends.
Please Join Us!
 
Hope to see you soon.
With love and blessings,
Your Sangha Board