August at SIMC: Meditation, Guest Teachers, Sept Retreat

20 hours ago
3 min read

“If you know how to breathe, you know how to take care of yourself."~ Thích Nhất Hạnh

The warmth of August encourages us to savor these long summer days with mindful attention, finding joy in the simple moments that often go unnoticed. These are moments of rejuvenation and healing.

We hope you'll join us for meditation, special events, and upcoming offerings.

When: Saturday, September 12th - 9:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, September 13th - 9:00am to 3:30pm
Where: Silver Cliff Ranch - 16565 CR 162, Nathrop, CO 81236
Video Invitation: Enjoy this heartfelt video invitation from Brian Lesage for our upcoming retreat, Embodying Simplicity. In just a few minutes, Brian offers a glimpse into the spirit of the retreat and the invitation to explore a more grounded, spacious way of being through meditation and mindful practice.

Details & Registration

An evening with devon and nico hase
Saturday, August 22nd at 4:30pm
First Presbyterian Church - 7 Poncha Blvd, Salida

**We have changed the location for this dharma talk to the First Presbyterian Church of Salida to accommodate more people. Please share this change with others and also invite your friends!

Join Buddhist teachers devon and nico for an intimate evening exploring how ancient wisdom meets modern love. Drawing from their newest book of the same title, they'll share practical insights on bringing mindfulness and compassion into the beautiful complexity of intimate relationships.

Through personal stories and guided meditation, discover how Buddhist principles like dukkha and impermanence apply to partnership. Learn why conflict can become a doorway to intimacy, what real patience looks like, and how embracing love's messy reality can lead to greater joy and connection.

Whether single, partnered, or somewhere in between, this evening offers wisdom for loving more skillfully in all relationships. Come ready to laugh, reflect, and see your connections through fresh eyes.

devon + nico hase serve as guiding teachers of the online dharma community Refuge of Belonging. They teach at the Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, and other centers, offer online and in-person retreats, and speak with students in one-on-one sessions. They are the co-authors of How Not to Be a Hot Mess and this newest book, This Messy, Gorgeous Love: A Buddhist Guide to Lasting Partnership. Find out more at www.devonandnicohase.com

Retreats with Denise

Day-Long Silent Nature Retreat: Letting Go

Saturday, August 8th, 2026

9am-3:30pm

Salida Location (you will the receive the location once registered)

Details and Registration

Touching the Earth - Denise Ackert, Liz Powell & Kate Siber

August 10-16, 2026

Rocky Mountain Eco-Dharma Center

Details and Registration

Teton Sangha Retreat - Denise Ackert and Adam Stonebreaker

Sept 26-Oct 2, 2026

Swan Valley, Idaho

Details and Registration.

Half-day Retreat - The Art of Cooling Out

Saturday, October 10th

9:00am to 1:00pm

SIMC House at 248 D ST

Details and Registration

Informational Meeting: Connecting to Freedom 2027 Tuesday, September 1st, 5:00-6:00pm via zoomDenise is considering offering the year-long Connecting to Freedom courseagain in 2027. The course would run approximately from January through December 2027. Meeting dates and times will be determined based on the needs of the group and will take place twice each month.

More Information

Poetry, the Dharma, and Practice - Fall Sessions

We are back for the fall! Join us for Dharma-inspired poetry, quiet reflection, and meaningful conversation. Together we'll read and reflect on thoughtfully selected poems that invite insight, open the heart, and deepen our practice.

Our discussions center on pre-selected poems from a variety of authors and traditions, explored through the lens of Buddhist Dharma.

*This group will resume this fall for three sessions, meeting on a new day and at a new time.