Midsummer at SIMC
- cjsmiles03
- Jul 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Foundations of Buddhism 5-Week Class
Come Cool Off in the Stillness at our weekly Meditations!
Weekly Meditations
Sundays - 5:00-6:00pm
Tuesdays - 12:00-12:45pm
Thursdays - 12:00-12:30pm
We Welcome our Community's Voice
If there's something you'd like to share, have feedback on, or that raises a concern, please don’t hesitate to email us at Sangha@salidasangha.org. Hearing from you via email allows each board member time to reflect on your input and have a more complete discussion during board meetings.
BIG Gratitude for the Dana of time and effort in weed pulling meditation at our Sangha House!! What a difference it makes.
Dharma Seedlings - Wise Speech
This month, we explore the third factor of the Noble Eightfold Path: Wise Speech. This follows Wise Intention, the factor that precedes every action and directs us toward what is beneficial, guiding us toward freedom from suffering.
When we engage in unskillful speech, we suffer. Wise Speech encourages us to refrain from such harmful speech and to instead cultivate communication that supports clarity, kindness, and connection. The Buddha identified four types of harmful speech to avoid:
False Speech – lies, omissions, “half-truths,” and exaggerations.
Divisive Speech – speech that creates conflict, disharmony, or separation, including judgmental and comparative speech.
Harsh Speech – unkind, angry, or hateful speech.
Idle Chatter – gossip, aimless talking, or speaking without intention, simply to fill silence.
As we practice refraining from harmful speech, we may discover that “restraint leads to gladdening.” From this gladdening, wholesome speech begins to arise naturally—speech that is truthful, kind, harmonious, and beneficial.
The Buddha expressed it this way: "In due season will I speak; truthfully I will speak; gently and not harshly; conducive to concord will my words be; with clear intention will I speak, and to their benefit will I speak, not to their loss." And, "Speak only the speech that neither torments yourself nor harms others. That speech is well spoken."
Practices to Support Wise Speech:
Tune into the body and allow for relaxation and ease before speaking.
Set an intention to be honest and kind in your communication.
Speak from the Heart and Listen from the Heart.
Pause before, during, and after speaking to reconnect with the body and notice any discomfort—meeting it with compassion and only then proceeding with your words.
We have a number of books in our library on Wise Speech and Mindful Communication. Please come by and check them out. And, if you would like to study the Eightfold Path in detail, we have The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhu Bodhi and Steps to Liberation: The Eightfold Path by Gil Fronsdal.
We are very grateful to Denise Ackert for these Dharma Seedlings.
Library News
A Gentle Reminder
Do you have a book or two checked out from the Sangha Library that is LONG overdue? Our suggested borrow time is one month from the check out date. We hope you are enjoying reading the book, however, please be mindful of other Sangha members who would benefit from reading it too. Should you need help with returning any Sangha Library items, please feel free to contact Chris or Jackie.
Happy Birthday to the Dalai Lama
In celebration of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday we have created a library display to honor his life and enduring messages of compassion, wisdom and peace. To learn more about the Dalai Lama, visit our Sangha Library and explore the many books written by and about the Dalai Lama. (A little side note, his title means Ocean of Wisdom)
Chris O'Connor, Library Co-Manager, tofutacos@yahoo.com
Jackie Mart, Library Co-Manager, jackiemart759@gmail.com
“Just as a flower, beautiful as well as fragrant, will give the wearer the benefit of its scent, so also, the well-preached words of the Buddha will benefit one who practises the Dhamma.”
~ Dhammapada Verse 52
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