WEEKLY MEDITATION SITS
SIMC warmly welcomes everyone - from beginners to experienced practitioners - to join our weekly group meditation (or "sits"). 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.
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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These weekly 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. 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 late winter or early spring, with a second retreat in early fall. Since 2023, we have also been offering a summer retreat in July at the SIMC house.
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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.
Fall Retreat with Brian Lesage
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Finding Freedom through
Insight Meditation​
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Saturday September 20th - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday September 21st - 9:00am to 3:30pm
Silver Cliff Ranch, Nathrop
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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.
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Other Information:
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!
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CLASSES
Five-Week Foundations of Buddhism Class
Taught by Cindy Sasso
Tuesdays, July 29th through August 26th
5:30pm to 7:00pm
SIMC Sangha House - 248 D ST
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In this five-week class, we’ll explore these core teachings of the Buddha:
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
The Brahmaviharas
The Five Precepts
Whether you are completely new to Buddhism or simply looking to refresh your understanding, this class offers a welcoming space to ask questions and connect with these timeless teachings.
All are welcome — no prior meditation experience is needed.
Weekly attendance is highly encouraged.
Cindy offers this class freely. You are most welcome to offer Cindy Dana (a donation) during class time.
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“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