Rooted in Practice, Blossoming in May

Much Gratitude!

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone below who contributed to the success of our Spring Retreat with Brian.  We are so very grateful for your support, your efforts, and the kindness of all who offered their help.  The retreat was incredible and we continue to reverberate with Brian's teachings.

Pre-retreat Postering and KHEN PSA: Chad P

Set-Up/Take-Down and Moving/Transporting Retreat Items: Phil S, Chad P, Tim C

Parking: Tim C, John Z

Yogi Jobs: John Z, Andy G, Nelle S, Fran R-M, Cindy H, Randi P, Gail F-C, Jane C, Teddy Fi, Casey M, Jeannie P, Brandi B, Stephanie B, Kelli S, Jackie M, Dean M, Larry F, Becky O, Phil S, Chad P

Brian’s Meals During Retreat: Roberta S, Jeannie P

Sunscreen Supply: Sheree B

A deep bow of gratitude for your generosity and service — it truly helped the retreat run so smoothly.

Happy Vesak Day - This Monday

Our celebration begins at 5:00 PM

Half-Day Retreat in May

Register Here

Root and Blossom Here!

Weekly Meditations

Sundays - 5:00-6:00pm

Tuesdays - 12:00-12:45pm

Thursdays - 12:00-12:30pm

Sangha Friends

Second Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm 

Its purpose is to foster friendships through conversations on topics of interest, somewhat like a book club.  Please emailSangha@SalidaSangha.orgat least a day prior to receive the reading/video to prepare for the discussion. Check ourSIMC websitefor more information.

Mindful Recovery

Wednesdays - 7:00pm via Zoom

A community of people who are using the practices of mindfulness, compassion, forgiveness, renunciation and generosity to transform the pain and suffering that addictions of all kinds have caused in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Mettings are held via Zoom.  Pleaseemail Dennyfor the Zoom Link.

Recovery Dharma

Thursdays - 5:00-6:00pmIn person at the SIMC House - 248 D St

A peer-led movement and community that is unified by our trust in the potential of each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. Recovery Dharma is founded on, and inspired by traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma, which can offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom. 

Day-Long Nature Retreat with Denise

Sunday, June 22nd - 9:00am to 3:30pm

Location will be sent out to participants

In this Daylong Nature Retreat, held on a beautiful private property 20 minutes from Salida, we will practice in silence and allow nature to teach us truths that allow more connection, ease, gentleness and care in our lives. When we rest in our own nature and come into wise relationship with life, more joy emerges. In this retreat there will be a dharma talk, sitting and walking meditation, mindful lunch, and a Q & A period.

In the spirit of generosity, Denise offers this retreat freely. You have the opportunity to offer a donation (Dana) to support her in continuing to share these teachings.

"In every walk with nature 0ne receives far more than he seeks." ~John Muir

Register Here

Dharma Seedlings - Wise Understanding/Wise View

 The Noble Eightfold Path is made of Eight interwoven components. The first factor, Wise View (Understanding), forms the foundation of all of Buddhist practice. Wise Understanding includes the understanding of the Four Noble Truths, Kamma, and Dependent Origination. Put simply, these are the understanding of (1) suffering and the path leading to the end of suffering; (2) the truth of cause and effect – when we plant wholesome seeds, those seeds are what come to fruition and vice versa; and (3) that all things arise and pass dependent on conditions and the more we see this clearly and act accordingly, the more freedom emerges.

Right now, though, we can inquire, “what is a way that we can engage in Wise Understanding”? One VERY helpful way to see Wise Understanding is through the lens of “practice should reflect the goal” – the goal of peace, ease, and freedom. So, then the question becomes “how am I practicing?" This question invites us to see what is happening now and to incline the mind and heart toward a sense of friendliness, ease and peace toward that experience. It also helps us see if we are relating to experience with the push/pull of aversion and grasping and invites us to turn toward an attitude of welcome and softness. This is not easy, especially since we are often conditioned toward fixing, judging, and unwholesome striving. But, practicing with Wise Understanding reduces this suffering and all suffering, nurtures wholesome seeds in the heart and mind, and helps us see that all conditioned things are dependently arisen in ways that are impersonal, imperfect, and impermanent. They arise and pass like waves and our invitation is to see them in this way from a peaceful vantage point.

Enjoy your exploration of Wise View this month! One resource that may be supportive is The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhi Bodhi.  Check it out from our in-house library.

We are very grateful to Denise Ackert for these Dharma Seedlings.

Library News

Our Sangha Library is currently displaying books on Wise Speech.  

These books may be checked out to take home. Additional books will be arriving soon. Come into the Sangha Library, pause, look around, and see what's new.  Our wonderful collection of dharma books is always changing!

Daffodils, Tulips and Spring Cleaning?

We would love to receive any dharma books that you're ready to pass on. Thank you in advance for helping our Sangha Library grow!

Chris O' Connor, Library Co-Manager, tofutacos@yahoo.com

Jackie Mart, Library Co-Manager, jackiemart759@gmail.com

“One should not think lightly of doing good, imagining 'A little will not affect me'; just as a water-jar is filled up by falling drops of rain, so also, the wise one is filled up with merit, by accumulating it little by little."

Dhammapada V122

With warmth and care, 

The SIMC Board - Paul, Kym, Denise, Carla