Thursday
Human Drala
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash
By Russell Rodgers
Sometimes one encounters people or places that cut through one’s habitual chain of thoughts. The Tibetan word for that is “drala”, which means “above the enemy”. In this case the enemy is our cocoon of gossipy thoughts that keeps us separated from the beauty of the world. Practitioners who are familiar with the term drala often associate it with places that have power for us: they provoke a sense of primal vastness and spaciousness. Perhaps they provoke awe, or a sense of beauty. Size is not the issue here—it could be a mountain top, a mossy forest, or a drop of dew. Whatever it is, one feels that it is basically good.
Do you have human dralas in your life? Did they melt your discursiveness? Did they transmit basic goodness in their being? Perhaps this transmission took the form of warmth and compassion. Or perhaps it was wakeful awareness, a sense of big mind. Maybe it took the form of active intelligence, curiosity and engagement with the world. How did you recognize that transmission? How did you sense that it was important? What did it awaken in you? Continue…
Entries filed under Community Articles
Fun and Belonging – HIGHLIGHT
Our experience at Enlightened Society Assembly in Austin, Texas by Aarush and Aarnav Uli, ages 7 and 11 This year my brother and I attended the Enlightened Children’s Program (ECP) at the Austin Shambala Center, led by Shastri Iris Ramos, with volunteers Christian Mitchell, Davis Maynard, and Miya Little. A ... continuePosted September 6, 2018 by CGH
European Donor Group – HIGHLIGHT
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Wisdom of Nature – HIGHLIGHT
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Family Camp at SMC – HIGHLIGHT
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Compassion and Gardening – HIGHLIGHT
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Ashe Mahamudra – HIGHLIGHT
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Looking for a Home – HIGHLIGHT
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Highlighting Humanity – HIGHLIGHT
Shambhalians offer a session at a major international mindfulness conference by Heather Alinsangan Several members of the Toronto Shambhala community participated as speakers at the 4th annual A Mindful Society conference this past May. The conference connects professionals in education, healthcare, law, technology, workplace and life with leading ... continuePosted July 31, 2018 by CGH
Right Livelihood 3 – HIGHLIGHT
From complexity and confusion emerges enlightened design by Andrea D’Asaro The design process — turning an idea into reality — is an example of mindfulness-awareness, says Alan Ness, a long-time member of our sangha and a residential design architect. He’s been designing and remodeling homes for 30 years ... continuePosted July 22, 2018 by CGH
Midsummer Reflections – HIGHLIGHT
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Gardening and Impermanence – HIGHLIGHT
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Doing Good and Doing Well – HIGHLIGHT
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Project Worthmore – HIGHLIGHT
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Remote Teaching – HIGHLIGHT
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Why Wouldn’t I Be? – HIGHLIGHT
The many meanings of formal membership in the Shambhala sangha by Rachel Hanson When I was asked to write about why I am a member of Shambhala, my first thought was “Why wouldn’t I be?” Unfortunately, that isn’t really an answer to the question. It turned out answering ... continuePosted June 4, 2018 by CGH
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