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.
Save the Date
Weekend retreat with Brian Lesage
Saturday May 30th 9:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday May 31st 9:00am - 3:30pm
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Please check back later for details and registration
Love in Times of Challenge
A half-day retreat with Denise Ackert
Saturday April 18th 9:00am - 12:30pm
SIMC Sangha House at 248 D St
Often when we face challenge, personally or collectively, aversion toward the difficulty and discomfort arises. In this short retreat, we explore seeing this tendency and learn to meet these challenges in wholesome and beneficial ways.
This retreat will include instruction, sitting & walking meditation, and opportunities for Q&A. The retreat 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 at the retreat to offer dana (donation) to support the teacher and help sustain future offerings.
CLASSES
Please check back for class offerings.
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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