DIMENSIONS OF THE DHARMA
A Weekend Non-residential Retreat
Led by Kim Allen
In-person and Online Via Zoom
Sponsored by Show Me Dharma, 1600 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203

As the mind settles into the present moment, it can discern key dimensions of the Dharma that support inspiration, wisdom, and inner strength. Direct experience of these Dharma qualities—which are both immediate and onward-leading—can deepen our practice and understanding. Our exploration will take place within the container of a silent Insight retreat grounded in breathing meditation (ānāpānasati) and broader mindfulness practices.

This retreat includes guided and silent meditation, walking, Dharma teachings, and optional practice discussions with the teacher. The retreat is suitable for practitioners of all levels who have already received basic instructions in mindfulness meditation.

Dates and Times:
Friday, October 24: Free Public Talk from 7–9 p.m. CT
(see below for Zoom info)

Saturday, October 25: All Day Session from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CT

Sunday, October 26: Morning Session from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. CT
(potluck lunch to follow)

Registration Is Now Open: Register Here!

Registration Instructions: when you register and pay, you will receive payment confirmation and the retreat welcome/confirmation email from Kevin Wehner, our Retreat Registrar at kevinwehner@gmail com. If you have any questions, email or call/text Kevin at 816.506.6089.

Registration Closes Wednesday, October 22: Please register on or before that date. People who attend the Friday evening talk in-person and wish to register for the rest of the retreat may do so, if there are still openings available.

Registration Fees (fees for both in-person and Zoom are identical):
Standard Registration: $75
Benefactor Registration: $90

Partial Scholarships Are Available: Please contact the Registrar if you are interested in requesting a scholarship.

About the Teacher: Kim Allen began practicing Insight meditation in 2003 with her primary teacher Gil Fronsdal of the Insight Meditation Center. She took up the study and practice of Buddhism in earnest through retreats, studying the suttas (early discourses of the Buddha), and aligning her life with the Eightfold Path. She has trained intensively in the U.S. and Asia with cumulative years of silent retreat and is grateful to have learned from other great teachers such as Bhikkhu Analayo, Bhikkhu Bodhi, and Ven. Katukurunde Ñānananda (in Sri Lanka).

Kim was asked to begin teaching at Insight Meditation Center, received four years of formal training from Gil, and now teaches retreats, sutta study, and experiential Dharma engagement. As teacher and author, Kim aims to bring classical Dharma to a modern context and to encourage lay practitioners in fully living a life of Dharma.

In 2020, Kim took formal commitment through Gil Fronsdal to living as a Lay Contemplative—basing her life on practice, study, and furthering of the Dharma—and was given the Dharma name Sumatimitta (“wise friend” or “friend of the wise”). Her own practice continues to unfold and has expanded to include some trainings and study in the later Buddhist traditions.

Learn More About Kim Allen

Zoom Link to Friday Night Public Talk
Meeting ID: 219 492 1379
Passcode: showme
Dial-in phone number: 1 (312) 626-6799
Dial-in Meeting ID: 219 492 1379
Dial-in Passcode: 536163

Loaves and Fishes Dinner - WEDNESDAY, September 24,2025, 3:00 p.m.-6 p.m.

Loaves and Fishes Dinner - WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025. 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Show Me Dharma is sponsoring a meal on the fourth Wednesday of every other month to serve approximately 100 to 130 homeless or near-homeless people at "Loaves and Fishes," in its new location at the Ashley Street Center, 1509 Ashley St., Columbia MO, 65201.

Our theme for September is Smothered Burritos! The Burritos can be the recipe of your choice and will ideally include chicken, beef or vegetarian protein. We will also serve salad, beans, a fruit and dessert.

Volunteers are needed, so here is the link to sign up! Sign up!

Living Earth Meditation

Saturday 9:00 am

1400 Gary Street, Columbia

(Start date: April 5th 2025)

Silent meditation outdoors with opportunity to share insights and reflection

Being at home in Nature while building a connection between spiritual practice and ecological awareness

Intentions

To seek deep, embodied, joyful relationship with ourselves, each other, and all the rich diversity of beings that comprise our Living Earth.

To awaken to the realization that we are all connected, that we are all part of a constantly changing Mother Earth. To become aware that to consider humans as separate and independent is a dangerous illusion that causes immense suffering in this world.

To live into the awareness and the mystery of constantly changing, complex life system (Gaia) that sustains us and is one of the wonders of this Universe.

To realize that all we love arises inseparable from Earth and from the living Earth community in ways endless and unfathomable. To pay respects to the lands, waters, creatures, and rooted ones of each place. To be grateful for the rich life that we share with all earthly beings.

A collaborative program from:

Columbia Friends Meeting

Show Me Dharma

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia

Facilitated by Jared Belden, MA, Peter Holmes, PhD, and Tricia Straub

Open Classes and Sittings at Show Me Dharma

Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, you are warmly invited to our weekly classes and sittings offered at the Show Me Dharma (SMD) meditation hall and simultaneously on Zoom. Get Zoom information.

September 2025 teaching and sitting schedule

10-11:00 a.m. Sundays

September 7 Silent Sit with Trisha

September 14 Donna

September 21 Rose

September 28 Tori

Join us on Zoom

7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays

September 2 Phil

September 9 Terry

September 16 Silent Sit with Caya

September 23 Caya

September 30 Terry

Join us on Zoom

Monday Morning Class 8-9:30

The Monday morning class is a committed practice group that offers an opportunity to bring the practice of insight meditation into all aspects of daily life. It is for those with several months’ meditation experience. Participants register and commit to regular attendance of the meetings. The class is currently taught by Tricia, and the current book is Down to Earth Dharma by Rebecca Shaw.

To register or get more information contact Tricia at tnurstraub@gmail.com

Thursday Night Book Group

On November 7th, the Thursday Night Book Group began our next book "Understanding our Mind, Fifty Verses on Buddhist Psychology" by Thich Nhat Hnah. Below is a link to the book on Amazon and a link to a short article that is a nice introduction to the book. If you would like to join the class please send an email to Terry, tfurstenau@gmail.com or to Aziza, azizatwaddle@gmail.com The group meets every Thursday at 7-8:30 pm only on Zoom for a 30 minute meditation and book discussion.

Understanding our Mind
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-four-layers-of-consciousness/

Giving to Show Me Dharma

Show Me Dharma is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and community for teachings in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.

All of our classes and events are freely offered.

Please visit our website for information about how to give in person, via mail, Venmo or Paypal.

If you would like to contribute in other ways to Show Me Dharma, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator via email at sschabilion@yahoo.com or phone at 573.815.0352.

The next Buddha will be a sangha.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Offer dana at our Website

DANA

Join our mailing list at our Website

SMD Mailing List

OTHER DHARMA RELATED ACTIVIES

Dharma and Democracy Forum with Mary Jo

The Second and Fourth Sundays, 3 cst on Zoom

Dear friends,

On November 5th our country entered a new chapter in its evolution as a democracy. Projections into the future abound regarding how we individually, collectively as a nation and globally as a world will be impacted by the results of this election.
To rise and meet this moment, we can, in Roshi Halifax's words, cultivate a strong back and soft front. Love is the most important muscle in transformation. In this moment, what is love asking?
Please join our forum: Dharma and Democracy, facilitated by Mary Jo Bennett. We will meet the second and fourth Sunday of each month @3-4pm CST on Zoom.

Please join us online via Zoom (password: showme) Sundays 3:00-4:00 pm Central Time
For information about upcoming Show Me Dharma classes and events, please contact Mary Jo Bennett at awakeinoahu@gmail.com.

Kirtan: Chanting into Meditation

Kirtan is the practice of chanting sacred sounds which resonate with the calm, yet vibrant, center of our being. It is a devotional practice which makes it possible to connect with the heart. We will chant for a bit, and then allow a meditative space before moving into the next chant. We have a wonderful community of kind hearted souls, and all are welcome. All Dana is given to Show Me Dharma. Kirtan is held at the Show Me Dharma center from 5:15 to 6:30. The future dates are

June 18

July 16

August 13

September 17

October 22

November 12

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