WEEKLY MEDITATION SITS
SIMC warmly welcomes everyone. These weekly meditations (or sits) are inclusive and open to all levels of practitioners - whether it's your first time meditating or a practice you've been exploring for decades. Each session includes 30-35 minutes of silent meditation, creating space for stillness, reflection, and connection. Each sit is led by different volunteers with their own unique tone and approach. There are a variety of seating options available, including cushions (bolsters and zafus), blankets, and chairs. ​
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Sundays: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
This sit often includes chanting of the refuges, a 35-minute silent meditation, a thoughtful reading or poem, and possibly discussion after. On the first Sunday of the month, we offer a Sunday Tea after the sit where some stay to enjoy tea and cookies, which adds a nice element of community.
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Tuesdays: 12:00pm – 12:45pm
This sit often includes a simple and relevant teaching, a thoughtful reading or poem, a 30-minute meditation (sometimes lightly guided), and possibly a short metta practice after meditation. This sit is usually available via Zoom. Click here for the Zoom Link. Please note that the Zoom option may not be available when Denise is not leading the sit.
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Thursdays: 12:00pm - 12:30pm
This sit is a straightforward format, where a volunteer rings the bell for a 30-minute meditation.
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Fridays: 7:00am - 8:00am
This is a quiet, silent meditation period. You are welcome to quietly drop in at any point during the hour or sit for the full session.
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All sits are offered in-person at the sangha house, located at 248 D Street in Salida, Colorado. Please enter through the back door by the prayer wheels.
The door on D Street has an Access Ramp if needed. Please knock and someone will open the door.
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If you're new to sitting, please feel free to read our simple sitting guide by clicking the link below.
MEDITATION RETREATS
WHEN IS THE NEXT RETREAT?
The Salida Insight Meditation Community strives to offer multiple retreats each year, thanks to the generous dana from our sangha community.
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We typically offer non-residential retreats, each led by recognized Buddhist teachers.​ We are looking into possible residential retreats in the future.
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Retreats with Brian Lesage are generally held in the spring and in the fall. ​ Denise Ackert often offers a few half-day and daylong retreats throughout the year.
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​These retreats tend to fill up fast, so we recommend subscribing to our newsletter or checking back here for updates on upcoming retreats.
Coming Home to the Moment
A Half-Day retreat with Denise Ackert
Saturday February 7th
9:00am to 12:30pm
Sangha House at 248 D Street
In this silent half-day retreat, we will engage in the practice of Insight Meditation by focusing on the simplicity of the instructions that lead to settling the body, and opening access to the wisdom that lies within each of us. Retreat will include instruction, sitting, walking and other meditation practices and is designed for both beginners and experienced students.
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In the spirit of generosity this retreat is offered freely. You will have the opportunity to offer dana (donation) to support the teacher and help sustain future offerings.
CLASSES
Introduction to Insight Meditation
A 4-Week class with Denise Ackert
Wednesdays - January 14th through February 4th
12:00pm-1:15pm
In this 4-week course, we explore the essential meditation practices and teachings of Insight Meditation that lead us from struggle to greater ease, contentment, joy, and freedom. Through practicing meditation, we see our habits more clearly, and begin to free ourselves from that which isn’t beneficial for ourselves or the world.
Course includes sitting, walking and heart practices as well as Q & A periods and home practices. This course is designed for both beginning and experienced students alike.​
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In the spirit of generosity this class is offered freely. You will have the opportunity to offer dana (donation) at the class to support the teacher and help sustain future offerings.
“The critical element in meditation practice is beginning again. Everyone loses focus at times, everyone loses interest at times, and everyone gets distracted over and over again. What is essential, and also incredibly transforming, is realizing that we have the ability to begin again, without blaming or judging ourselves, without thinking we have failed, without losing heart, we can, and need to, constantly be beginning again.”
–Sharon Salzberg