The Sakyong Wangmo and Jetsun Drukmo enjoy a beautiful Earth Day in Boulder last month, when the Sakyong launched his new book, Running with the Mind of Meditation. Photo by Andrew Goetz

Earth Day was the most beautiful day. The sun was shining and there was a feeling of spring in the air. There was a mixture of the local Boulder community and the Shambhala community and everyone was in a good mood. The atmosphere felt like a festival with children, runners and families. Overall, the day reminded me of a Midsummer’s Day celebration. This Earth Day race was the perfect environment for the release of the Sakyong’s new book, Running with the Mind of Meditation.

I was very excited since this was going to be my first race. At the same time I was also nervous, but I had a strong feeling I could finish. As I approached the finish line there was a tremendous cheer from the sangha. I felt like I was running the Boston Marathon. Best of all was seeing the Sakyong’s face as he and Jetsun Drukmo, held high in his arms, welcomed me at the end of the race. I was so happy for him for launching his book, and for how beneficial this book is going to be for the world.

I send you all my love,

Sakyong Wangmo, Dechen Choying Sangmo

click on any image to view as a slide show

On Saturday Acharya Hardin presented a workshop in which we practiced some of the techniques from A Little Book of Love for opening our hearts and connecting with our world. Sunday’s program centred on Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s recent teachings on Basic Goodness and Enlightened Society.

During the weekend Acharya Hardin also acted as preceptor at two vow ceremonies, as sangha members took Bodhisattva and Refuge vows.

Participant Lorna Drew summed it all up in this song, sung to the tune of Cruising down the River, which she offered at the closing reception.

Cruising down the river
To an island in the flow
Guided by the wisdom mind
Of Acharya Moh,

Curious and wakeful
Opening at last
Sailing in the love boat
With Moh Hardin at the mast.

Is this world real or is it not?
Perceptions are unclear
Is that a snake? Nope, it’s a rope –
So put away your fear!

Minds and bodies merging
And a clear blue sky above –
Cruising down the river
With the Little Book of Love.

From: Fredericton News Magazine

]]> http://shambhalatimes.org/2012/05/16/a-song-for-acharya-moh-hardin/feed/ 0 http://shambhalatimes.org/2012/05/16/on-stupas-mantras-and-aspirations/ http://shambhalatimes.org/2012/05/16/on-stupas-mantras-and-aspirations/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 11:09:07 +0000 Kerstin Lange http://33.324 “For the Himalayan Buddhist, the stupa represents a living embodiment of dharmakaya, the ‘body of the doctrine’. Rather than seeing the stupa as a mere memorial or a symbolic vehicle, the Himalayan believer invests the stupa with the capacity to spur the observer towards nirvana simply by seeing or contemplating it.” - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche [...]]]>

“For the Himalayan Buddhist, the stupa represents a living embodiment of dharmakaya, the ‘body of the doctrine’. Rather than seeing the stupa as a mere memorial or a symbolic vehicle, the Himalayan believer invests the stupa with the capacity to spur the observer towards nirvana simply by seeing or contemplating it.” - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche I was excited to learn that this Sunday from 1:00 – 2:30 we are getting together as a sangha to roll mantras that will be placed inside the Stupa that Conquers All Directions at Karme Choling. This is of significance to me because when I was in college in 2003, I wrote my senior thesis on stupas. I spent a semester abroad in Nepal where I studied stupas in the Solu Khumbu region. The following summer I went to Shambhala Mountain Center and did research for Harvard University’s Pluralism Project on the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. Stupas existed before the Buddha’s time, but they became an integral part of Buddhism after his death. Before the Buddha died, he instructed his students to divide his ashes up and take them to the holy places where major events in his life took place. He told them to build a mound over the ashes so his students could go there to remember him and his teachings. Over time, these small mounds evolved into elaborate constructions. As Buddhism spread throughout Asia, stupas were built wherever it went. Each culture adopted the stupa with its own unique style, so stupas’ designs vary tremendously. Wherever they are built they carry the same meaning and purpose. They serve as a reliquary of the Buddha or other important teachers. They stand as a monument of peace, compassion and wisdom. When they are built, the location is chosen carefully by high teachers and the design, like a mandala, is very precise. At the center of the stupa is a the life force pole. It is a central metaphysical axis that is said to connect heaven and earth. The central pole is like a magnet, attracting community and radiating positive forces. In addition, stupas are often filled with holy scriptures, prayers and relics adding an enormous amount of energy to the spiritually potent structure. The way that Buddhists typically use stupas is by circumambulating them clockwise. The people I observed in Nepal chanted as they walked. They told me that it was a good time to pray for all beings to be free from suffering. They said it was very important to have pure thoughts while in the presence of a stupa. Because of its magnetizing qualities, it is thought that aspirations made while circling the stupa are very potent. What I discovered in my research in Nepal is that the primary concern for many older Sherpas was to accumulate merit to ensure a good rebirth. Many hours were spent each day circumambulating and praying. According to Sang-ngag Rinpoche, ‘If one participates in a stupa’s construction and ritual activities, or honors the completed stupa with an altruistic resolve to benefit all beings, then the blessings are such that the Buddha himself could not describe.’ Because of the precise construction and sacred contents, the stupa evokes an awakened, compassionate mind in those who build it, circumambulate it and even simply look at it. One of the things I was struck by when I did my research at Shambhala Mountain center was the sense of community people experienced by volunteering to help build the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. Each person who picked up a paint brush or a hammer or donated money to its construction poured their altruistic energy into the creation of the stupa. Likewise, we have that opportunity with the Stupa that Conquers All Directions at Karme Choling. We can each share our aspirations and place them in this magnetizing structure so that they are radiated throughout the land and the world. Like Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said, some believe that the stupa has the “capacity to spur the observer towards nirvana simply by seeing or contemplating it.” I for one am so excited to have one of these incredible monuments in VT. It is further indication that the dharma is flourishing and available to all. ~ By Melinda Haselton

From: Good Morning Burlington!

Instructors Brandon Jellison, Nick Trautz, and Timaree Bierle-Dodds (L-R)

Preparing my introductions of the Running Meditation instructors at last Saturday’s Running with the Mind of Meditation program at the Cambridge Tennis Club, I suddenly realized what an unbelievable team we have here in Boston. It’s not that this wasn’t already clear to me after seeing the group’s diligent preparation for this event over the past several months, but as I gathered the instructors’ “credentials” together I was suddenly floored.

Naturally, it was no surprise that the program was a great success. Twenty-eight people attended and were introduced to the principles of running meditation as presented in Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s new book,Running with the Mind of Meditation. Nick Trautz introduced the principles of mindfulness and meditation practice, Timaree Bierle-Dodds gave sitting meditation instruction, and Brandon Jellison talked about posture and led a round of shamatha yoga practice. We took a warm, sunny afternoon run along the Charles River and afterward discussed our

Brandon gives posture instruction

experience of the practice. Mr. Trautz closed the program by leaving the group with the image of windhorse, which was depicted on the running team’s Boston Shambhala Center shirts.

Nick is a former professional cross-country skier and coach, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Tibetan Buddhist studies, has run seven marathons, and served as a continuity Kusung (sort of like a personal assistant) for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Brandon is a professional massage therapist, body worker and health coach, and is about to run his third marathon. Timaree is a registered nurse and skillfully brings the instructions to those interested in applying them to walking and jogging. All three of them have been practicing meditation for around fifteen years. And Jim Egan, who helped with the event but hasn’t formally done the instructor training, has run twenty-five marathons and has been practicing meditation for thirty-five years. You know you have a solid team when the guy not serving as a lead instructor has run twenty-five marathons and practicing for thirty-five years!

A number of people expressed interest in an ongoing running meditation group based out of the Shambhala Center, and the team is raring to go!

The group prepares to run with the mind of meditation

Heading to the Charles River for the run

From: Wake up Boston!

One of the themes was the need to make Shambhala’s work more visible to our membership.

How do you think we can best do this?

We recently posted photos and short statements about the work of the staff who are paid from the international budget. You can see that here . Does this help?

What would you like to know about the central services we provide to the mandala?

How can we communicate all this in a far more meaningful way? What would feel most helpful to you? What do you feel would help others?

Please post your comments and suggestions below!

From: The Kalapa Council

by Larry Barnett
Director of Communications and Chair of the Communications and Technology Steering Committee

Over the last two years the Shambhala team that provides us with our online communications services began developing a new email system that would (among many things) migrate Sangha Announce, Sangha Talk and other email groups to the Shambhala Network. We know that many Shambhala members have already heard about this transition, so we are writing to help with the concerns you have already expressed, and to invite further dialogue. In this article, you will find information about why this transition is taking place, ways to get help, including Q&A, contact people, etc., and a link to a help article with technical support and more details.

Why this transition is taking place

This process began with a sangha-wide consultation which resulted in hundreds of people sending in their suggestions and preferences. Work then got underway and led to what is known as a “beta test” of the new model by over 3,500 of our members. In order to be as responsive as possible to people’s needs, individualized messages were sent to people who, according to our records, most frequently use the current system to encourage them to be part of this testing process. Feedback and responses have been taken into account as far as possible, and the new network will continue to be improved and refined in the months and years ahead.

As the change-over has drawn near, some Shambhala members have expressed concerns about the new Network and the difficulty they have in using it for the first time. Many do not understand the reasons for changing over, and what benefits the new system will offer.

In recognition of these concerns and to enable our team to make further improvements to the new network, our team – the Communications and Technology Steering Committee is going to postpone the planned transition for at least another month.

Q: Why is this transition happening?

A: Our current system has served us for more than 10 years, which is a testament to those who created it. We are tremendously appreciative to the people and the functionality that we have benefited from for all this time. At the same time, the needs of our community have grown beyond what the current system can provide. As such, Shambhala IT Services set out to create a new system that could address these needs:

1) many members tell us they receive “too much email” – the Network allows you to adjust your email setting to get daily or weekly-digests (“summaries”) of the messages in the Groups you subscribe to. You can scan digests quickly to see if there’s anything you want to read.

2) working groups want a way to communicate easily - planning and other groups were bogged down by cc’ing people on emails, getting the wrong address, losing attachments, etc. The Shambhala Network allows working groups to collaborate with documents and images, and hold small discussions without involving the larger sangha.

3) people want to be able to create groups for smaller discussion topics – there were requests to be able to discuss the details of topics without involving everyone. For example, “Dharma and Sobriety” or “Sitting and Body Pain.” Anyone can create a group for a discussion. Click to see how.

4) practice groups where people are joined automatically -the Shambhala Network automatically joins members to the practice groups they’re authorized for. There’s no need for a separate authorization process.

5) automatic coordination between systems – When you change your email in the Shambhala Database, it updates on the Network (unlike the old email lists, where you’d have to update your email address manually).

6) technology changes – in the world at large, technology has changed hugely since the announce lists were created years ago. While many enjoy the old system, we received many requests to update our communication technology in a way that will continue to work for the next generation of practitioners – the generation who will join in and continue to build our community. We neglect the needs of this younger community at the risk of alienating them. The IT Steering Committee felt this generational change was an important reason to develop modern communication technologies.

7) security concerns – the announce and talk email lists are hosted on the original server (the computer that holds the website’s files). Shambhala IT is currently working to move sites away from this server, due to concerns about security.

8 ) ease of upgrading and modification – because the Shambhala Network is built on a common type of software, it’s not difficult to find programmers to work on the site. This helps us avoid situations where the one programmer who can operate or modify a system goes on extended retreat or becomes unavailable. Also, the software the Network is built on is popular, “open source” (free) and includes upgrades without further cost into the future. This saves Shambhala IT Services money and time.

9) reducing the use of the old username/password - the Unified Login Project aimed to eliminate additional username/password combinations, as password confusion is the most common support request we receive. One of the last places where the old username/password was used was in adjusting one’s announce and talk email list subscriptions, when updating one’s email address, etc. The Shambhala Network uses the standard Shambhala Account for login. This means 95% of users will never have to use another username/password combination again! (Trouble logging in? See this article.)

HELP: Q&A, contact info

Recognizing this shift will not be easy for all members, we’re committed to doing everything we can to help members become confident and comfortable with using the Shambhala Network. This help includes the creation of a “help page” formatted as questions and answers. This includes questions such as:

“Can I use the Shambhala Network exactly like the old email lists?”
“How do I send a message/announcement so that everyone will see it?”
“How can I get the messages from the Network in my email inbox?”
“Would it be possible to keep the old Sangha Announce and Sangha Talk lists for those of us who wish to continue using them, and offer the Network for those who wish to use that?”
“I have heard you have to be a member to participate in the Network.”

Please visit the article HERE.

If you are someone with questions that this help page does not answer, please feel free to ask your own questions. You can do that by using the question feature on that page (under the title). Or, if you prefer, Greg Heffron, Head of IT Support, will do his best to personally respond to your questions.

I hope this is helpful to everyone. If you would like to write to me personally, you can do that as well. Or I could try to put you in touch with one of the many people who has made the transition in the course of the last year so that you could have a buddy to help you become familiar with the possibilities that our new network offers.

The “Vision to Action” process aimed to:

develop a clear vision and strategic priorities for the centre
increase the capacity of the community to manifest “a culture of kindness”
implement a governance structure and decision-making process
select the next centre director

The report is short, to-the-point, inspiring and well produced. It’s a brilliant follow-up to the ten Kalapa Governance Gatherings that took place last year throughout our Shambhala World. The Denver initiative is a great example of what the Sakyong had in mind when he wrote, in his Letter of the Morning Sun:

“If Shambhala as a vision, a lineage, and a community is to have any real effect on the world, the next ten years are essential. We must now begin to organize, train, and develop ourselves with greater commitment and determination. Therefore, I ask all Shambhalians to see the next ten years as a time to truly challenge ourselves. If we can make substantial progress over this time, I believe we will have shifted the momentum of the lineage and vision toward being able to fulfill the Dorje Dradül’s intentions.”

The “Vision to Action” process in Denver was faciliated by Susan Skjei of Sane Systems, with assistance by Janet Solyntjes of the Center for Courageous Living.

From: From our President

from Victoria Hagens

from David Kahane

unknown artist

View more at:

This new regular posting will feature snapshots of basic goodness as seen out in the world, on the street, in the countryside, at work, home, grocery store. We invite YOU, our readers, to contribute. See a moment of basic goodness in your life? Share it with a photo. Send your submissions to the Shambhala Times at: editor@shambhalatimes.org. The best three for each month will be featured, but it’s not a competition. If you have more that you want to share – contact your local Shambhala Center and see how you can get involved with your local blog.

NEXT MONTH: Snapshots of Basic Goodness – at the grocery store

from Ethan Neville

from David Kahane - son Solomon

from Shastri Shelley Heinz

~~
To view runners-up in this month’s submissions, please click here.

This is a book about the “nuts and bolts” of meditation. Meditation has been a hot topic for the last decade or so in neuropsychological research. Scientific studies of the brains of experienced and novice meditators show that practicing meditation on a regular basis produces changes in the brain’s activity and even in the structure of the brain. Some of the findings of these studies include that meditation increases relaxation, attention, feelings of well-being, improves the functioning of the immune system, and decreases anxiety and stress.

Psychology is now increasingly using meditation as part of treatment programs. Examples of these treatment programs include Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and a program for relapse prevention of depression, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Meditation can be viewed as reprogramming the brain. This is also how Sakyong Mipham approaches meditation in his book Turning the Mind Into an Ally. Although he does not specifically mention the phrase “reprogramming the brain”, or talk about the brain explicitly, he is talking about taming the mind, as if the mind is a wild horse.

The idea behind taming the mind, is that the purpose of meditation is to make the mind useful. Very often the mind does not do what we want it to do. For example, when studying for a test it could be that the mind wanders off to other topics, that you find yourself procrastinating, or that it is just very hard to focus. If you train your mind with meditation, you train it to focus when you want it to. When you have a trained mind, it can be a very powerful tool. The really cool thing is that you don’t have to go on very long retreats or devote hours of your time every day to train your mind. Sakyong Mipham explains how practicing meditation consistently for ten or fifteen minutes every day can already be very helpful. This book is full of great practical tips on making meditation a part of your daily routine, and on how to deal with obstacles when it becomes difficult for you to meditate.

Although the author of this book is Buddhist, you don’t have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation, or from the insights into the meditation process that this book offers. In fact, the practice of meditation is much older than Buddhism. Human beings have practiced meditation for thousands of years because it works.

Here is a link to a youtube video of the author, Sakyong Mipham, giving meditation instruction. Give it a try, and see for yourself what it is like!

This blog post was originally published at www.apacenter.com.

Dr. Iektje Stephens is a therapist at the ApaCenter, and she is a member of the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center. The Mind & Life Institute is a good resource for learning more about scientific research on meditation.

The Austin Shambhala Meditation Center will offer two introductory meditation classes this summer. Shambhala Training Level I: Art of Being Human will be offered on June 2-3; you can get information about this class and register for it here. In July, we will offer the Meditation in Everyday Life class on Tuesday nights, July 10-August 7. Turning the Mind into an Ally is the text for this class.

From: A Taste of Austin Shambhala

This is a book about the “nuts and bolts” of meditation. Meditation has been a hot topic for the last decade or so in neuropsychological research. Scientific studies of the brains of experienced and novice meditators show that practicing meditation on a regular basis produces changes in the brain’s activity and even in the structure of the brain. Some of the findings of these studies include that meditation increases relaxation, attention, feelings of well-being, improves the functioning of the immune system, and decreases anxiety and stress.

Psychology is now increasingly using meditation as part of treatment programs. Examples of these treatment programs include Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and a program for relapse prevention of depression, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Meditation can be viewed as reprogramming the brain. This is also how Sakyong Mipham approaches meditation in his book Turning the Mind Into an Ally. Although he does not specifically mention the phrase “reprogramming the brain”, or talk about the brain explicitly, he is talking about taming the mind, as if the mind is a wild horse.

The idea behind taming the mind, is that the purpose of meditation is to make the mind useful. Very often the mind does not do what we want it to do. For example, when studying for a test it could be that the mind wanders off to other topics, that you find yourself procrastinating, or that it is just very hard to focus. If you train your mind with meditation, you train it to focus when you want it to. When you have a trained mind, it can be a very powerful tool. The really cool thing is that you don’t have to go on very long retreats or devote hours of your time every day to train your mind. Sakyong Mipham explains how practicing meditation consistently for ten or fifteen minutes every day can already be very helpful. This book is full of great practical tips on making meditation a part of your daily routine, and on how to deal with obstacles when it becomes difficult for you to meditate.

Although the author of this book is Buddhist, you don’t have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation, or from the insights into the meditation process that this book offers. In fact, the practice of meditation is much older than Buddhism. Human beings have practiced meditation for thousands of years because it works.

Here is a link to a youtube video of the author, Sakyong Mipham, giving meditation instruction. Give it a try, and see for yourself what it is like!

This blog post was originally published at www.apacenter.com.

Dr. Iektje Stephens is a therapist at the ApaCenter, and she is a member of the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center. The Mind & Life Institute is a good resource for learning more about scientific research on meditation.

The Austin Shambhala Meditation Center will offer two introductory meditation classes this summer. Shambhala Training Level I: Art of Being Human will be offered on June 2-3; you can get information about this class and register for it here. In July, we will offer the Meditation in Everyday Life class on Tuesday nights, July 10-August 7. Turning the Mind into an Ally is the text for this class.

From: A Taste of Austin Shambhala

compiled by Andrea Sherman and David Whitehorn

This article is an introduction to three active Shambhala centers that are cultivating support at the local level for the increasing numbers of older Shambhalians. Never before have so many people lived for so long – how are Shambhala centers meeting these challenges and opportunities? The following is a report from three centers that are committed towards creating a new vision for older persons in their communities.

“Aging is part of the human condition. I celebrate it.” (Contemplation)
~~ Sakyong Mipham, Turning the Mind into An Ally

Conversations on Aging in Boulder, Colorado,
Felice Owens & Marcia Usow
A lively discussion over what to call our Aging group was held. Names included: eldering group, next breath, SSAID: Shambhala Sanga for Support of Aging Illness and Death were suggested.

The goals or purposes of the group focus on a variety of recurring issues:
~ Who are we?
~ To enrich the sangha, communicate the joys and responsibilities of aging, illness and death.
~ To educate others and ourselves about sickness, old age, death.
~ To be integrated and feel a part of the current (younger) community.
~ To practice with issues of impermanence, sickness, dying.
~ To help organized smaller community groups that work with each other either geographically or by interest.
~ To help with understanding the legalities of social security, will and living wills.
~ To help with understanding care circles, end of life care, hospice, cremation.
~ To establish clear instructions (manual?) about how sukhavati (funeral) is done at BSMC.
~ To be recognized and respected within sangha for the wisdom gained and efforts in founding and formation of community, and for pioneering an organization that can continue to be of benefit.
~ Where do we live: can we live communally or near each other, how do we take care of each other and ourselves. There are many models of successful “village” systems in the global society. What will work for a community of practitioners?
~ Can we begin work on our plans and follow through?

Conversations on Aging: New York City, New York
Cynthia Spencer & Andrea Sherman
Our group just celebrated its one-year marker and meets every 6-8 weeks on Monday nights. We begin with sitting, introductions/concerns, followed by contemplation and discussions or a guest speaker. After socializing and refreshments we conclude with announcements and plans for our next session.

At our September meeting Acharya Judy Lief gave terrific teachings on Dharma and Aging. This included thinking about aging as a part of inherited suffering and its quality of fear and intensity, teachings on impermanence (why are you surprised you are getting old?), relaxing and openness with the experience of aging, and the strength of practice and community. Acharya Eric Spiegel gave deep teachings on the Dissolution of the Mind and Body as we age and approach death and how to work with our state of mind in that context.

Other topics have been Elder Law, Caregiving, Death and Dying, Research on Arts and Aging, and Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia Care. Our group also sponsored a film showing of the movie “Poetry” with a Dharma discussion led by filmmaker and NY Shambhala member John Ankele. Caregiving, end of life, depression, and memory loss are areas of interest.

A special event with Lewis Richmond author of Aging as a Spiritual Practice: A Contemplative Guide to Growing Older and Wiser will be held. We look forward to establishing an online resource center, with both practical and inspirational information, on our New York website!

Conversations on Aging in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Pam DeNicola
In the spring of 2010, a group of about 30 Nova Scotia sangha members came together to discuss aging related issues. Several key categories were identified: health, housing, legal issues, mutual support, end-of-life and elder wisdom and practice.

A steering committee on aging was formed to focus on priorities and begin taking action. The committee has been meeting monthly and has identified some priority issues and projects.

One of the first tasks was to compile an email list of Nova Scotia sangha members who are 60 years of age and older. This list provides an efficient means for ongoing communications about aging and will further serve to connect with and support seniors in need as we develop our social support network.

To also facilitate in communications, the steering committee submits articles and information on aging in each issue of the Halifax Shambhala Banner. Articles on the Canada Pension Plan, aging in community, hearing loss and hearing aides are some subjects that have been covered.

Last November the steering committee hosted “A CALL TO ACTION”, an open meeting with over forty people attending. Three action groups were formed during this gathering: Support group, “Be Prepared” group (funerals/after death arrangements) and Senior Housing group.

We encourage you to begin conversations, and working groups on aging at your centers. Let us know about the groups that you have started, or would like to begin, and how you are celebrating, supporting and honoring aging. For further information you can contact: Andreasherman@optonline.net