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Aug 29
Wednesday
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10 Years And Counting…

by Irene Woodard

Eleven years have passed since 9/11. I had not been down to the site for almost that many. Last week I took my children, Max, 25, and Catherine, 21, for our first visit to the memorial, ground zero. I cried. The memorial – the footprints of the Towers – are now enormous square pools, waterfalls falling into blackness. It is an experience like no other I have ever had. My memory nudges me to circumnambulate the pool. I read some names. It is dusk, and a light humid summer drizzle makes the night ever more sorrowful. Trees, swamp oaks, grass, water, pavement. People of many nations wander, and wander around. There is not much to see, but much to feel… It has been 11 years.

Last year the Sakyong asked us to respond to The Letter of the Morning Sun requesting each of us to think about what we were inspired to do for society in the next ten years, how much had to happen, and how critical our actions are in establishing Shambhala Society. Ten years is not much time. More than a year has passed since the message was sent…and where are we?

In the eleven years that marched by, from September 11, 2001, a grand plaza has been envisioned and built. True, it’s not complete, but the vision and hearts of many are now planted down on Vesey Street and Broadway. A lot can be done in 10 years, even when people disagree about what it should look like, how the names should be grouped, and security – it is like going thru an airport to enter the memorial.

My response to the Sakyong’s letter was to involve myself in the GreenFaith Fellowship to educate myself about the environment as a religious leader. I have attended two retreats, monthly webinars, and done more writing then I knew I was capable of. My leadership project, the final product of my 18 month fellowship, is slowly taking form. I had wanted to piggyback on the writing and work of The Touching the Earth Working Group (Shambhala’s working group on the environment). No such luck. It has not gotten off the ground, so to speak. Our mandala at the top is stretched thin, and we can’t count on it to blaze all the new trails for us. At least I can’t; my leadership project is to start this September.

Ultimately, if this society is to be as great and good as our dear Sakyong has envisioned, it requires us to find the first footholds and handholds as we scale this new terrain. We have been given the opportunity to make the map, and discover on our own this new territory – in this case, how to be sustainable. What does an enlightened dharma center serve for tea? Where does the garbage go? Where does it buy the toilet paper? Will we have air conditioning? Where is the furniture manufactured? How do people arrive there? Do we need to be on a floor that requires elevators? Is the stove gas or electric? Where do we compost? How do we think about all this? And on and on, with gentleness and toughness… and a smile.

In ten years we can make a gesture to be very vigilant, bringing our view into action. We don’t have to rush, but we need to be methodical and not wait for someone to tell us what to do because that may or may not happen. As René Dubos said, “Think globally, act locally.” Each of our centers can do that, if there is someone who is curious and interested in green things. So let’s see what happens.

Here in New York City we are starting with monthly green Sunday Brunch Potlucks, to build community and find the greenbeans amongst us, plus we will have fun eating and making friends, which of course is a key aspect of Shambhala Sustainability. The potlucks will be held on September 16, October 7, November 18, and December 16, from 12:30 to 2pm. For more information, visit: ny.shambhala.org

Don’t wait, start local. Enjoy the peaches and corn of summer. It will soon be autumn.

~~
Irene Woodard has been a student of the Shambhala Buddhist teachings
for 28 years. She is a member of the Shambhala Meditation Center of New York City and has been named a GreenFaith Fellow, joining the class of 2012 in the GreenFaith Fellowship Program. The Fellowship Program is the only comprehensive education and training program in the United States to prepare lay and ordained leaders from diverse religious traditions for environmental leadership. In her life outside the center and the GreenFaith program, she is a florist and the mother of two adult aged children. Read her previous articles on the Shambhala Times by clicking here.

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6 responses to “ 10 Years And Counting… ”
  1. John Krivit
    Sep 14, 2012
    Reply

    I’m a big fan of Irene Woodard

  2. Elaine Yuen
    Sep 9, 2012
    Reply

    Irene great to hear your story and your journey. I remember being in NY right before 9/11 to see the Sakyong, and a few months after to teach Shambhala Training. We indeed do have much to do, as Shambhala as well as a larger society of BG. Xoxo Elaine

  3. Andrea Sherman
    Sep 9, 2012
    Reply

    Irene, Great article! Look forward to joining your focus on sustainability with creating a society for all ages and abilities! Andrea Sherman, Chair, Shambhala Working Group on Aging

  4. Barnaby Spring
    Sep 9, 2012
    Reply

    Thanks for this offering!!

  5. Emily Danies
    Sep 4, 2012
    Reply

    Irene, Thank you for your inspiring, delightful and thought provoking words…Love to you. Emily

  6. Hi III ~ Wonderful to read your story, a story I ready know, yet I’m excited to know others will be seeing it too. All love, AA


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