Freedom Through Seeing the Selfless Nature of Experience 
A 2-day Nonresidential Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat 
February 18-19, 2023
MeadowRock Ranch
Nathrop, Colorado
 
The Buddha’s teachings on Selflessness (Anatta) are some of the most profound and essential aspects of this path towards our freedom and awakening. This retreat will explore the many aspects of this teaching through the practice of continuous mindfulness meditation in silence throughout the day—in sitting and walking meditation. In the silence we can begin to move toward unpacking the delusion of a separate self which allows compassion and wisdom to arise in our lives. Experiential meditative approaches will be offered throughout the retreat and will be supported by optional discussion times.  This retreat is designed for beginners and experienced practitioners. 
This retreat is full but if you wish to sign up for the wait list, please email sangha@salidasangha.org.
Individual Use Of The Sangha House

The SIMC board has attempted to find a way to have the house unlocked during the day.  But we have not been able to find a workable solution.  However we really would like to encourage use of the house by anyone wishing some quiet time to meditate or read!  If you wish to obtain the code for the entry door, please contact Paul Vosburgh at 505-350-0338.

Weekly Sits
Please join us for group meditation on Sundays from 5-6 pm.  And Tuesdays at noon.  The Tuesday sit can be joined by Zoom using this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695

Other SIMC Resources
Our Caring Committee offers non-financial aid such as meals, transportation and other help to any one experiencing health or other challenges.  Contact Kym Mellsop at 719-20703077.

The Website offers lots of information and guidance. http://www.salidasangha.org/

We also have a wonderful Facebook Page with frequent wise and inspiring posts from Carla.  https://www.facebook.com/SalidaSangha

Finally, we are always grateful for your support through donations or volunteerism!  You can make a onetime donation or monthly pledge through our website or clicking the button below.  If you wish to volunteer with our sangha, please email sangha@salidasangha.org.
 
Wishing you a mindful New Year!
Your SIMC board

There are still a few spaces left in the February Retreat.
You will find the button to register below.
 
Freedom through Seeing the Selfless Nature of Experience 
A 2-day Nonresidential Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat 
February 18-19, 2023
MeadowRock Ranch
Nathrop, Colorado
 
The Buddha’s teachings on Selflessness (Anatta) are some of the most profound and essential aspects of this path towards our freedom and awakening. This retreat will explore the many aspects of this teaching through the practice of continuous mindfulness meditation in silence throughout the day—in sitting and walking meditation. In the silence we can begin to move toward unpacking the delusion of a separate self which allows compassion and wisdom to arise in our lives. Experiential meditative approaches will be offered throughout the retreat and will be supported by optional discussion times.  This retreat is designed for beginners and experienced practitioners. 

This retreat is offered through The Salida Insight Meditation Community. Please register early as the retreats tend to fill up quickly.  This is a dana based retreat.  There is no registration fee but donations to Brian and the Sangha are gratefully accepted during the retreat to cover expenses.  Brian receives no other compensation.  Also note that this is President's Day weekend.  Our last retreat was over Labor Day weekend and unfortunately we had a lot of last minute cancellations and no shows.  We sincerely hope to avoid that this time.
Register Now

Denise Ackert's Year Long Class
A Year-Long Course: Connecting with Freedom
In this year-long online course, we will deepen our practice on the path of freedom, by learning useful tools to reduce suffering and increase our capacity to be of benefit, moment by moment. The course includes a twice monthly LIVE online class, small group practices, weekly readings and reflections, and individual sessions.

 
Details and donation information below and in registration link.  If you have questions after reading the course information, please register for our LIVE informational meeting - also using the link below.
Connecting to Freedom Informational Meeting
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022, 8-9am
REGISTER HERE
 
DETAILS ABOUT CONNECTING TO FREEDOM COURSE
LIVE Course Classes: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each Month, 7-8:30am,
however, the first class is WEDNESDAY, January 18th, 2023
(subject to change based on group needs)

Year End Donations
Many thanks to all our members who have recently made donations!  It's not to late to make a tax deductible year end gift to SIMC.  You may donate through our website or with the pledge letter found below.
Donate Through Our Website
Open Pledge Form

SIMC Library at the Sangha House
We extend our deep gratitude to Deb Tannenbaum for her years of reorganizing and tending the library.  Many thanks to Jackie Mart and Chris O'Connor have graciously volunteered to take over those duties.
 
Our Beautiful New Sign
Here is the happy crew after Phil installed the sign designed by Mike Fisher.
Wishing you a joyful New Year!!!
Your SIMC board

2022 Annual Report From Salida Insight Meditation Center
Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended our Annual Meeting on December 4th!  For those of you unable to attend here is a review of another active year at the Sangha.

The Salida Sangha offers meditation practices that open the heart and expand our capacity for being with our own challenges so that we can have the courage and compassion to help others.

This past year, our beloved teacher, Brian Lesage, offered two weekend retreats and one public talk.  In 2023 Brian will again be sharing his knowledge and wisdom at two retreats.

Our Sunday evening and Tuesday noon sits continue to offer opportunities to settle into mindful awareness, open our hearts and connect deeply with others on the path.

Our Caring Committee, led by Kym Mellsop, offers home-cooked, nourishing meals and other non-financial support to Sangha members who are in need as a result of surgery, injury, sickness or other challenging circumstances.

The Sangha provides financial management support for the Mindfulness In the Jail program under the guidance of Denise Ackert.  We also support the ongoing Mindful Recovery meetings helping those who struggle with addictive behaviors of any type.

At the annual meeting the 2023 budget was reviewed, voted on and approved.  The board of directors election was held and two important new board members were added, Mike Fisher and Kym Mellsop.  We are also very grateful to Mike and his wife Taylor for designing and gifting us with our beautiful new sign.

Because your pledges and other support make all or these things possible, we once again send you our yearly pledge form - Click here for the form.  May our work together bring freedom and happiness to all beings everywhere without exception.
Thank YOU!
Pledge Form for 2023
Salida Sangha, Inc.
dba Salida Insight Meditation Community
PO Box 1420
Salida, CO 81201
 
We are deeply grateful 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.
If, at any time, your circumstances change, you may modify your pledge
with a simple communication.
Pledges can be paid by check - monthly, quarterly or annual; or by PayPal at
http://www.salidasangha.org/donate.html - DONATE button. If you have any
questions, please contact the Sangha Board at: sangha@salidasangha.org.
Pledge amounts are held in confidence by the Board Treasurer.
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.

A pledge of any size is deeply appreciated.
Please click HERE to print out a pledge form ( Click on the File Tab on the task bar in the upper left-hand side of the document.  At the bottom of that drop-down is the print option).   Pledge Forms can be returned by mail to the PO Box above or emailed to our treasurer Paul Vosburgh at 7paulvos@gmail.com.

With blessings and gratitude,
Your SIMC board

A new name and new Logo!  Our beloved Salida Sangha name has been changed so as to better reflect this beautiful community of practitioners in the Vipasana tradition (which is also known as Insight or Mindfulness practice). We have also updated the name for our FB Page.

Many thanks and gratitude go out to our amazing new board member and in house graphic designer, Mike Fisher! Mike has designed our new logo and flyers and a very cool sign which will soon be installed on the 3d Street side of the sangha house. 
 
ZOOM PRESENCE
Internet service has been installed at the SIMC house, For those of you who are unable to attend the annual meeting in person, please email us for the Zoom Link.

NEW YEAR'S EVE
Once again we will be able to hold a December 31st celebration at the sangha house at 5:00 p.m.  See flyer below.  We will have a 30 minute sit followed by our fire ceremony to release what we need to let go of, and to set our intentions for what we wish to embrace in the New Year.  Friends, family - All are welcome and we hope to see you there!

FEBRUARY RETREAT WITH BRIAN LESAGE
Our next retreat will be February 18th and 19th at MeadowRock Ranch in Nathrop.  Please save the dates and note that it is on President's Day weekend!
 
MINDFULNESS IN THE JAIL
Our ongoing MIJ program is still strong.  For anyone who wishes to contribute to this important outreach, you can do so through Colorado Gives 2022.  Here is the link:
https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Mindfulnessinthejail

NEW HOUSE MANAGERS
Cindy Hayes has graciously taken on the role of our house manager with assistance from Christine Wierzbinski.  We are delighted to have them both in charge and they would be delighted if you could help them out with some of the maintenance duties.  Thank you Cindy and Christine!

That's all for now folks.  We are very grateful for your support and continuing practice with SIMC.
Hope to see you soon!
With metta,
You SIMC board

SAVE THE DATE!
February 18-19, 2023 Retreat With Brian Lesage
Registration and Details Will be Available on November 14, 2022

Salida Insight Meditation Community Annual Meeting
December 4, 2022 at 5:00 pm followed by a Potluck at the Sangha House
248 D St. Salida
Year end review, budget presentation for 2023, election of board members and more.

New Year's Eve Meditation and Celebration
December 31st, 5:00 pm at the Sangha House

FALL YARD CLEANUP
October 8th at 9:00 am
Dress for the weather and bring gloves if you wish. Your help is very much appreciated!

September Retreat
Thanks to everyone who attended our recent wonderful retreat with Brian at MeadowRock Ranch.
It's always great to see old friends, to meet new ones and to receive Brian's valuable teachings!

Sangha House Availability
Anyone wishing to access our library or have some quiet meditation time on your own please contact Paul Vosburgh at 505-350-0338
We want to extend a special thanks to the incredible Carla Jaramillo who is now shepherding both our Facebook page and our website.  We love you Carla! 
And our deep gratitude to Kevin Wathen for all the years he tended the website.
https://www.facebook.com/SalidaSangha
http://www.salidasangha.org/

Thank you ALL for your presence in our community and for your practice,
Your Sangha Board