Friday
Precious Silence – The Gift of Retreat
A Message from the Director and Team at Gampo Abbey and the April 2024 Gampo Abbey Newsletter
As I write this we are in the final days of the Yarne retreat – a 45-day traditional monastic retreat that has been fulfilled since the time of the Buddha’s first sangha.
For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, we were able to invite guests, both monastics and laypeople, to join our community for this retreat, which is an essential element of a monastic community.
Ani Pema has been here teaching Mind Training in Eight Verses by Langri Tangpa. It’s a pithy instruction on softening into the path of the Bodhisattva, training in recognizing life’s difficult moments as our best teachers, and cherishing the troublemakers in our lives.
The retreat started with high winds, very cold temperatures and lots of snow – but boy did it end with a thrilling experience. A full solar eclipse – how lucky can we get?
This year I was struck even more than usual by the power of silence in retreat. It’s an essential ingredient to be able to tune into one’s inner experience, a precious thing in our day-to-day lives. It’s something worth carving out even if just for a day. No talking, no listening to music, no entertainment online. I highly recommend it. In a group retreat like Yarne, we consider silence a gift that we offer each other.
-Trinkar Ötso, Director
Pema Chödrön: Live Q&A – April 14, 2024
Pema Chödrön has guided many in befriending their emotions and navigating difficult times with more ease. On Sunday, April 14th at 1:00 p.m. (EDT), she’s offering a unique opportunity to learn from her directly as she shares fresh insights and wisdom with our community in a live Q&A format.
According to Buddhist wisdom, there are five afflictive emotions at the root of our suffering: craving, aggression, ignorance, pride, and jealousy. In this call, Ani Pema will be speaking directly to the wisdom of these difficult emotions, sharing insights on how to work with them skillfully, and answering questions from community members on this universal topic.
Registration is open for a limited time to join this call. Click here to save your spot today!
An Auspicious and Unusual Ending for Yarne
Not only did we have an outstanding final day of the Yarne retreat with a traditional Tibetan Lhasang ritual and good smokey fire, but it auspiciously coincided with a full solar eclipse.
See some great photos and read more about the Lhasang ritual here.
See some great photos and read more about the Lhasang ritual here.
Ripening Karma in Group Retreat
If you’ve ever wondered about the value of group practice here is a glimpse of what a few of our Yarne participants have to say about how this 45-day retreat has impacted their outlook.
They have some interesting comments about what they are taking away from this experience into their lives beyond the Abbey.
***
To continue reading the full April 2024 Gampo Abbey Newsletter please click here.
Entries filed under Community Articles
Pleasure in Precision – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: In Everyday Life In a recent skype interview, the Shambhala Times enjoyed the occasion to interview Mr. John Darby, a long-time Shambhala student, and woodworker since the early 1970s. John lives with his wife, Shastri Andrea Darby and family in Western Massachusetts. We asked him about ... continuePosted March 6, 2013 by
Charnel Ground of “No” – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: In Everyday Life Recently over breakfast, the Shambhala Times had the opportunity to interview David Fraioli, Shambhalian and actor living in Los Angeles. David co-starred in Episode 8 of this season’s popular TV show, Dexter. We asked him about that experience, and his experience of what ... continuePosted February 27, 2013 by
Limitless Possibilities – HIGHLIGHT
Kitchen Wisdom by Lisa Harris Part One: Groundless… I am experiencing some personal resistance back here at home, while helping with food shopping and cooking dinners for my family. Each one of us has a unique set of health related food requirements that restrict the ingredients I can use ... continuePosted February 23, 2013 by
Fresh Posture – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: In Everyday Life In which we visit with Shambhala practitioners from all walks of life to hear stories about their life, livelihood and how their meditation practice permeates their everyday experience. Recently over the phone, the Shambhala Times had the opportunity to interview Brandon Jellison, Shambhalian, Massage ... continuePosted February 22, 2013 by
Beyond a Broken Window – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: In Everyday Life In which we visit with Shambhala practitioners from all walks of life to hear stories about their life, livelihood and how their meditation practice permeates their everyday experience. The Shambhala Times was delighted to interview Deborah Bright recently through skype. Deborah is both a ... continuePosted February 20, 2013 by
Confessions from the Office of Culture and Decorum – HIGHLIGHT
Observing the “Neutral Day” by Amanda Hester Adjutant to the Shambhala Office of Culture and Decorum Fact: Shambhala Day has always been my favourite day in the whole year, and not just the day itself but the entire, potentially weeklong, event. I love the address, especially the sign-in of ... continuePosted February 10, 2013 by
Seeking Advertising Sales Agent
Job Listing Shambhala Times is Looking for an Advertising Sales Agent We need an advertising sales agent to assist with generating income for the Shambhala Times. This role, funded on a 25% commission basis, will work to find both local and national clients willing advertise with the Shambhala ... continuePosted February 7, 2013 by
Creating Good Work – HIGHLIGHT
Introducing a NEW COLUMN: In Everyday Life In which we visit with Shambhala practitioners from all walks of life to hear stories about their life, livelihood and how their meditation practice permeates their everyday experience. To begin with, we spent some time this week interviewing Ron Schultz, sangha member ... continuePosted February 1, 2013 by
Rediscovering Impermanence – HIGHLIGHT
Kitchen Wisdom by Lisa Harris It just started snowing outside. It’s the kind of snow you only get in spring – those big, wet, clumpy flakes that melt as they hit every surface. But it is still winter here in Michigan, and we are in the middle of ... continuePosted January 27, 2013 by
Illness in Older Age – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: Aging in Shambhala On January 26th, Ann Cason and David Whitehorn will give a Shambhala Online presentation on the topic of illness in old age. As an introduction, here is a personal reflection on that experience. The experience of illness in older age a personal reflection by David ... continuePosted January 21, 2013 by
War Behind Bars – HIGHLIGHT
by Paul Kendel Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. ~ Nelson Mandela “It’s not the walls surrounding them that bothers the prisoners the most,” said the correctional officer. “It’s the people.” Snake River Correctional Institution is the largest prison in Oregon with ... continuePosted January 11, 2013 by
Children’s Day: Pittsburgh
from Veronica Haberkost Societal Health & Well Being Director, Pittsburgh Shambhala Meditation Center Our Children’s Day was so much fun! We had seven children participate. We started with the children performing The Four Dignities Offering Ceremony. They started with the percussion procession leading the King and Queen of ... continuePosted January 9, 2013 by
Gampo Abbey: A Year in Reflection – HIGHLIGHT
by Stacey Mitchell photos by Michelle Nordmeyer and Kalsung I was at the dining room table recently, having a cup of tea with Dawa, a nun at Gampo Abbey, when we started discussing her motivation to be at the Abbey. She has been one of the monastics at ... continuePosted January 7, 2013 by
Community as Path – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: Enlightened Society Celebrates Diversity by Fay Octavia Elliott I often laugh with my South African friend about us being the color element in the Boulder Shambhala Center. While we are not the only people of color in the center, there are perhaps only a handful altogether. Though this ... continuePosted January 2, 2013 by
Children’s Day: Vancouver
The Vancouver Shambhala Centre celebrated Children’s Day with a large gathering of families and children. The photos tell the story of the day beautifully. #gallery-2 { margin: auto; } #gallery-2 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-2 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-2 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Shambhala King ... continuePosted December 30, 2012 by
RSS feed for the Community Articles category
View all posts from authors in Community Articles: Jillian_Johnson
