​SAVE THE DATES!
September 18, 19, 2021 Retreat With Brian Lesage
To be determined if it will be in person or on Zoom.

BOOKKEEPER NEEDED!
We are looking for a new bookkeeper to help manage our finances.  
Christine, our current bookkeeper, spends 3- 4 hours each month preparing the monthly financials on QuickBooks.   At the end of the year, it takes her 2-4 hours completing the year-end budget and creating the following year's budget.  In January, there is an additional 6-9 hours completing donor statements/990/SOS filing.
If anyone out there has the skills and time to carry out these tasks, please reply to this email.  Your help would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
JANE'S PLACE
The Sangha Board wants to share with you an exciting and amazing new project to develop theproperty owner by our beloved Jane Whitmer and her husband, Ron Ferris.
Before Jane passed away in mid-2019, she had envisioned a development that would provide housing for many of the individuals and families she cared for and gave generously of her love and support. This project would provide housing for acute, diverse, and adaptive community needs for folks transitioning out of homelessness, ex-offenders newly released from jail, single-earner families, victims of domestic or sexual violence, seasonal employees, and Americorps volunteers.
Jane’s Place is a collaborative, community centered, multi-use housing project near the heart of downtown Salida at the intersection of 3 rd Street and Highway 291. The development of the project will be managed by the Chaffee County Community Foundation and the Chaffee Housing Authority and will cost $3.4 million. It will be paid by grants, community support, local employers, and traditional debt.
While a good portion of this cost will be paid for using traditional debt, community support is needed to in order to ensure the rent levels and programming will directly impact those who need it the most. Right now they are fundraising $400,000, and so far, $300,000 has been raised.

We are inviting our Sangha and friends to join this amazing and extraordinary opportunity to be a part of Jane’s passion, vision, and legacy by donating a tax-deductible gift to this project that Jane championed for children and families.  Help us channel some of Jane’s amazing energy into this project. For further information and details on how to donate to Jane’s Place visit the Chaffee County Community Foundation website: www.chaffeecommunity.org.
On behalf of our beloved Jane and Ron, we are grateful for your love, support, and generosity.

APRIL DONATION
Speaking of generosity, our $650 April rent money was donated to the CCCF Emergency Pet Fund.  Last month's went to Jane's Place.  If anyone has suggestions of local organizations in need of financial help, please reply to this email.

With deep bows and blessings,
Your Salida Sangha Board

Dear Sangha:  
We hope you were able to engage in some part of the residency with Brian.  Our time with him was deeply enriching and "perception" altering.  If you want to get a taste of his teachings, here is his introductory talk again. The big news for the month is about Jane's place, an exciting and amazing new project to support multiple community needs on an in-town property owned by our beloved Jane Whitmer and her husband, Ron Ferris. 
JANE'S PLACE
Before Jane passed away in mid-2019, she had envisioned a development that would provide housing for many of the individuals and families she cared for and gave generously of her love and support. This project would provide housing for acute, diverse, and adaptive community needs for folks transitioning out of homelessness, those newly released from jail, single-earner families, victims of domestic or sexual violence, seasonal employees, and Americorp volunteers.

Jane’s Place is a collaborative, community centered, multi-use housing project near the heart of downtown Salida at the intersection of 3rd Street and Highway 291.  The development of the project will be managed by the Chaffee County Community Foundation and the Chaffee Housing Authority and will cost $3.4 million. It will be paid by grants, community support, local employers, and traditional debt.

While a good portion of this cost will be paid for using traditional debt, community support is needed to in order to ensure the rent levels and programming will directly impact those who need it the most.  Right now we are fundraising $400,000 in the next 7 weeks and so far, $221,100 has been raised.

We are inviting our Sangha and friends to join this amazing and extraordinary opportunity to be a part of Jane’s passion, vision, and legacy by donating a tax-deductible gift to this project that Jane championed for children and families and will bring her dream to fruition. 
For further information and details on how to donate to Jane’s Place visit the Chaffee County Community Foundation website: www.chaffeecommunity.org.

On behalf of our beloved Jane and Ron, we are grateful for your love, support, and heart. 

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
 
MARCH RENT DONATION
This month we sent $650 to the Community Foundation for the  "Jane's Place" project.

Sending Boundless Metta to You All,
Your Salida Sangha Board

Dear Sangha:  
We are in the midst of a residency with Brian called Playing with Perception and his teachings have been rich and deeply beneficial!

Brian has generously offered to invite more people to attend the second weekend retreat which is Feb 27 & 28.  If this is something that you would like to do, please register before Wednesday, Feb 24.  Brian asks that you listen to his Introductory Talk prior to attending the retreat.  Below find the link for the recording and a description of the whole residency.
 
FEBRUARY RESIDENCY
PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION: A WAY TO FREEDOM
with Brian Lesage  
(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 residency started February 10

Previous Events 
Wednesday, February 10,  Introductory talk
Introductory Recording
Saturday, February 13th - Sunday, February 14th  
Saturday Recording 
Sunday Recording
Wednesday, February 17, 6:30 - 8:00pm  Meditative exploration and discussion 
Wednesday Recording

Upcoming Events
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

 
ADDITIONAL RETREAT OPPORTUNITY WITH BRIAN
Cultural Spiritual Bypassing
w/ Brian Lesage and Sebene Selassie
March 13 &14, 10am-3pm
What gets left out of our spiritual practice? And why? “Premature transcendence” or spiritual bypassing has been described by John Welwood as unskillfully using a spiritual practice to avoid addressing psychological wounds and unresolved personal issues. This is usually discussed only on the personal/psychological level, yet a spiritual practice can be used to avoid or “bypass” unresolved collective/cultural issues as well — this is what we are calling cultural spiritual bypassing.
 Cultural Spiritual Bypassing Retreat Registration
 
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

REGIONAL SITS 
QUEER SANGHA SUPPORT GROUP
Insight Meditation Community of Colorado
 Online, 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, 5:30- 6:30 PM

The Buddha’s 8-fold path to self-liberation is one we walk alone together.  The realizations that free us are ones that we alone can manifest.  Yet the Buddha also said that living in caring, supportive community with others walking the same path is the ‘whole of the holy life’.
 
The Queer Sangha Support Group provides such a place of refuge, for those of us walking the Path who are gender non-binary and/or same-sex oriented. Within it, we can pay homage to who we truly are in the company of others like ourselves.  And we can share personal aspects of what the Taoists call the ‘ten thousand joys and ten thousand sorrows’ of being a queer Buddha Dharma yogi(n) in our culture.
 
Group convener and advisor is Tara-Lloyd Burton.  They are the resident guiding teacher and environmental Chaplain for the Insight Meditation Community of Denver. More information here: http://www.insightcolorado.org/Pages/V2_teachers.html
 
If you’re interested in finding queer community within the Insight Meditation tradition, we warmly invite you join us. Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/515824087?pwd=bkcwT1NsWUk5SCt2VUN3K1Bna1EvUT09

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 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 at www.salidasangha.org

JANUARY RENT DONATION
This month we sent $650 to Chaffee Cares (The Rainy Day Fund) helping individuals and families with needs outside of other social service programs.

Sending Boundless Metta to You All,
Your Salida Sangha Board

Dear Sangha,

There are openings still available in this retreat and for the private practice discussions.  Registration for the retreat will remain open until 3:00pm, Wednesday, February 10th. Sign up for a private session will remain open until 3:00pm, Monday, February 15th.
FEBRUARY RESIDENCY
February Residency With Brian Lesage
PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION: A WAY TO FREEDOM  
(retreat will take place on ZOOM)
 
The format of the residency will be as follows: 
February 10 - February 28, 2021 
Wednesday, February 10, 6:30 – 7:45pm  Introductory talk
Please note:  It is necessary that you either attend this introductory talk or listen to a recording of it before you attend any of the events for this residency. 
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
The following 5 times slots are available:  
Tuesday, Feb. 16th - 9:30am
Tuesday, Feb. 23rd - 9:30am
Wednesday, Feb. 24th - 10:30am; 11:00am; 11:30am. 
To reserve a time and to obtain meeting link,  please email sangha@salidasangha.org

With Care,
Your Salida Sangha Board