Winding down the Summer at SIMC
- cjsmiles03
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
SIMC's Fall retreat with Brian Lesage is filling up quickly
Finding Freedom through Insight Meditation
A two-day non-residential retreat
Saturday, September 20th 9:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday, September 21st - 9:00am to 3:30pm
Insight meditation is a simple and direct practice based on moment-to-moment awareness, a technique that opens the heart and clears the mind. This will be an opportunity to practice continuous mindfulness in silence throughout the day in sitting and walking meditation. In the silence we are freed from much of the daily barrage of stimulus that draws our attention outward, letting us delve deeply inward. Learning to be aware of our experience from a place of stillness and equanimity allows us to see more clearly, and as insight deepens, compassion and wisdom can arise.
This non-residential retreat is designed for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. This retreat will be held primarily in silence. There will be meditation instruction offered as well as time for Questions and Responses.
See Brian's Bio here.
Silver Cliff Ranch rests at the base of the stunning Chalk Cliffs, offering a peaceful and scenic setting. Silver Cliff Ranch is a camp, conference, and retreat center in Nathrop, just up the road from Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. Several walkways and paths provide ample space for walking meditation.
There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee which helps SIMC offset some of the cost of hosting a retreat. We wish to make this retreat accessible to all. If the $25 registration fee poses any hardship for you, please reach out to us as soon as possible at Sangha@salidasangha.org for scholarship resources and registration.
Brian's spring retreat reached capacity quickly, so we recommend registering early to ensure your spot.
Please note: Registration closes on Thursday, September 18th at 11:00 AM. Be sure to sign up before then to reserve your space, if available.
We hope to see you there!
Retreat Reflections: A Journey Made possible by SIMC
I recently returned from a 15-day wilderness retreat.
Now, I understand why we use so many nature analogies in this practice. Letting thoughts drift by like clouds. The mountain unmoved by the seasons. Impermanence. Interconnection. The elements. I discovered a deep sense of knowing that dharma and nature are one. That I was earth, sitting on earth. That nature is home.
Upon returning, you all have shown me that sangha is home too. It’s been so nice to catch up with many of you over the past few weeks.
The SIMC Youth and Family scholarship program supported my participation in this retreat, and there is more funding available for retreat scholarships. If you have any interest in retreat and/or the scholarships, please email sangha@salidasangha.org for more information.
I’m so grateful to our beautiful sangha and the SIMC board for the support to deepen my practice. The silence, the time and the dharma are such gifts.
With metta,
Jes
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 email Sangha@SalidaSangha.org at least a day prior to receive the reading/video to prepare for the discussion. Check our SIMC website for 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. Please email Denny for the Zoom Link.
Recovery Dharma
Thursdays - 5:00-6:00pm
In 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.
Save the Date:
Next Death Cafe will be on Wednesday, September 24th from 6:00 - 7:00pm. No Registration necessary.
Library News
Numerous newly purchased and donated books are available throughout our Sangha Library and they are ready for you to check out. A few new titles include:
Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield
A Field Guide to Nature Meditation by Mark Coleman
The First Free Women: Original Poems by Early Buddhist Nuns by Matty Weingast
And many, many more! See what is new and be the first person to borrow one or two of our wonderful new books!
A SPECIAL THANKS to all those who have donated books to our Sangha Library. Your generosity benefits our Sangha members and helps continue the growth of our library. WITH MUCH GRATITUDE - THANK YOU!
Chris O'Connor, Library Co-Manager, tofutacos@yahoo.com
Jackie Mart, Library Co-Manager, jackiemart759@gmail.com
"Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible. When we look deeply at the leaf on a tree, we can see already the presence of autumn. The leaf is alive in the summer, but it is also dying, and we do not have to wait until autumn to see its impermanence."
— Thich Nhat Hanh, from “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching"
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