Welcome to the Northern Utah
Insight Sangha
We are building an intentional community in Northern Utah through Insight Meditation and practices of the heart (Brahmaviharas). Join us at either of our two locations:
Monday Night Cache Valley Sangha in Logan
SLC Sangha in Salt Lake City at Church & State Marketplace
About Our Sangha Gatherings
Each gathering includes a 20-30 minute silent sitting, a short Dharmette, and time for questions and reflections. All are welcome! Chairs and cushions are provided, or you may bring your own.
Our intention is to support inclusion, collaboration, community, and personal harmony through practice and spiritual friendship.
Monday Night Cache Valley Sangha
Join us in Logan, Utah for an evening of meditation and community at the Unitarian House (596 E 900 N). Each session runs from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm, with tea available beforehand and time to stay for discussion and connection afterward. Guided by Tim Slocum and Samantha Akers.
Join Us for Meditation and Community in Salt Lake City
We meet at Church & State Marketplace (370 S 300 E) in Salt Lake City, upstairs on the balcony. Our gathering is from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm, with tea served at 5:30 pm.
This is a Dana (donation-based) sangha, with contributions supporting our guiding teacher, Sam Akers, as well as rent and the needs of the sangha and Northern Utah Insight.
Please note: The building is currently not ADA accessible.
Thank you for your generosity. 🙏
A Sanctuary for Meditation and Community
The SLC Sangha offers Insight Meditation in Salt Lake City, creating an intentional community and spiritual friendships through the teachings and practices of early Buddhism. Our intention is to create a safe and inclusive space for people interested in exploring Buddhist meditation in Salt Lake City, where all people can come together to explore and cultivate their practice.
Exploring Buddhist Meditation
The Buddha taught 'there is suffering and a way out of suffering'. We intend to open to understanding these truths as a way to experience deeper happiness and freedom in our lives. We are a group of people who support one another in living life in open-hearted, compassionate, and mindful ways that have the basic tenet of non-harm, to ourselves and others.
Our Guiding Teacher
Our guiding teacher, Samantha (Sam) Akers, has called Theravada and the Thai Forest tradition her home since 2001. She sought out meditation practices to help her cope with chronic pain and fatigue. Along the way, she was introduced to Metta (loving kindness practice), Concentration and Insight practices as well as yoga, which also facilitated her healing.
Her guiding teacher/mentor from 2013-2023 was George Haas, who empowered her to teach and with whom Sam had the honor of co-teaching Metta Groups level one Meditation x Attachment.
Sam currently practices and studies through Spirit Rock Meditation Center and is in training to become and Eco-Chaplain through the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies with Gil Fronsdal. Her guiding teachers are currently Susie Harrington and Jeanne Corrigal.
Dhamma and Yoga Integration
Sam is also a Yoga Therapist, Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher, MFRT, and Certified Mindfulness Teacher through MTI in Berkley, Ca. Sam has been teaching yoga and Dhamma for over two decades. She has a passion for supporting others in finding deep contentment and a joyful liberation through the Dhamma.
Join Us for Weekly Gatherings
Salt Lake City Sangha meets Monday nights from 6-7:15pm. Location is Church and State, 370 S 300 E Salt Lake City UT. Moving to TUESDAY Nights 10/29.
This is a donation-based Sangha with a suggested Dana (generosity) amount of $5-$15. Donations support the needs of the sangha such as rent, props, and event costs.
Please bring something to sit on if you have a bolster, blankets, zafu, or even a small folding chair. Things to sit on will be provided for you if you do not have your own.
Please note: At this time Church and State is not wheelchair accessible. There is no elevator and only stairs to get to our meeting spot. Church and State are working to change this in the future!