WEEKLY MEDITATION
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 meditation session 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 meditation 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 meditation 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 meditation is a straightforward format, where a volunteer rings the bell for a 30-minute meditation.
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Our Friday morning meditations are on pause for the summer.
We will evaluate attendance and talk to the sit leaders to see if this is something they wish to continue.
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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Throughout the year, we may offer additional meditations for special events. Please check our calendar or newsletter for these. All meditations 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 meditation, please feel free to read our simple guide by clicking the link below.
Dharma Talk with
devon+nico hase
This Messy, Gorgeous Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Real Relationships
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Saturday, August 22nd at 4:30pm
Presbyterian Church at 07 Poncha Blvd in Salida
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Join Buddhist teachers devon and nico for an intimate evening exploring how ancient wisdom meets modern love. Drawing from their newest book of the same title, they'll share practical insights on bringing mindfulness and compassion into the beautiful complexity of intimate relationships.
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Through personal stories and guided meditation, discover how Buddhist principles like dukkha and impermanence apply to partnership. Learn why conflict can become a doorway to intimacy, what real patience looks like, and how embracing love's messy reality can lead to greater joy and connection.
Whether single, partnered, or somewhere in between, this evening offers wisdom for loving more skillfully in all relationships. Come ready to laugh, reflect, and see your connections through fresh eyes.
devon + nico hase serve as guiding teachers of the online dharma community Refuge of Belonging. They teach at the Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, and other centers, offer online and in-person retreats, and speak with students in one-on-one sessions. They are the co-authors of How Not to Be a Hot Mess and this newest book, This Messy, Gorgeous Love: A Buddhist Guide to Lasting Partnership. Find out more at www.devonandnicohase.com
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.
Embodying Simplicity
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A weekend non-residential retreat with Brian Lesage
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Saturday September 12th 9:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday September 13th 9:00am - 3:30pm
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​​The Buddha’s teachings on simplicity offer an essential foundation for living a life of contentment and freedom. During this retreat, we will gather to explore the many facets of simplicity through continuous mindfulness in silence, both in sitting and walking meditation. Meditation instruction and opportunities to ask questions about the practice will be offered throughout the retreat. Both beginners and experienced practitioners are warmly welcome.​​​​​
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​Enjoy this heartfelt video invitation from Brian Lesage to our upcoming retreat, Embodying Simplicity. In just a few minutes, Brian offers a glimpse into the spirit of the retreat and the invitation to explore a more grounded, spacious way of being through meditation and mindful practice.
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See Brian's Bio here.​
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Retreats with Denise
Day-Long Silent Nature Retreat: Letting Go
Saturday, August 8th, 2026
9am-3:30pm
Salida Location (you will the receive the location once registered)
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Touching the Earth
Denise Ackert, Liz Powell & Kate Siber
August 10-16, 2026
Rocky Mountain Eco-Dharma Center
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Teton Sangha Retreat
Denise Ackert and Adam Stonebreaker
Swan Valley, Idaho
Sept 26-Oct 2, 2026
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Half-day Retreat - The Art of Cooling Out
Saturday, October 10th
SIMC House at 248 D ST
9:00am to 1:00pm
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CLASSES
Informational Meeting:
Connecting to Freedom - a year-long course
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Tuesday, September 1st, 5:00-6:00pm via zoom
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Denise is considering offering the Year-Long Connecting to Freedom Course in 2027. The course would run approximately from January through December 2027. Meeting dates and times will be determined based on the needs of the group and will take place twice each month.
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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