Tuesday
Warrior in World
Sacred Path of the Warrior Presented at Youth Conference
Rev. Alexander Garbera, a member of the Pioneer Valley Shambhala Meditation Center, presented concepts from Chögyam Trungpa’s Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior at True Colors SOGIEcon (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) last March.
The workshop was crafted to help build attendees’ resilience to weather the onslaught of anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric, policies, and actions leaving youth and parents bewildered, afraid, and frustrated by introducing Trungpa’s concepts of bravery, courage, and fearlessness — as well as using Windhorse and the vision of the Great Eastern Sun to fortify resilience. Meditation was presented as a way of uncovering the source of bravery and courage while engaging with the world with compassion to create a more enlightened society. Each attendant received a free copy of the book.
The workshop was applauded by attendees who resonated with the need for more wisdom, love, compassion, and understanding in what seems to be increasingly dark times.
The unsolicited feedback of one attendee captured many of the comments after the short meditation: “I have often found this subject to be a little out of reach, and [it was] presented in a way that felt more approachable. One of the big takeaways for me was the idea that meditation is not intended to be a form of escape or detachment, but rather to be better connected. I like that it’s not about fixing something that’s broken, it’s just a kind of tool that can help people. I am going to just give it a try and start small, because even just doing a few deep breaths feels like a big change.”
Rev. Garbera feels that the Shambhala dharma is sorely needed now and encourages all of our members and friends to revisit and share the profound gifts we have received.
Held on the campus of the University of Connecticut, it is the largest LGBTQIA+ youth conference in the USA. The conference brings together LGBTQIA+ youth, their peers, allies, family members, educators, social workers, clinicians, clergy, and community members to educate themselves, promote connection, and support the next generation of LGBTQIA+ leaders. With over 200 workshops, performances, and activities organized around specific groups and audiences, there were about 1,850 attendees. A PDF of the PowerPoint can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aRgcFeuWaups2MYLAbOGS-5mrnlUK5Pf/view?usp=drivesdk.
Entries filed under Featured Stories
We’re Here to Help People, Right? – HIGHLIGHT
Announcement of Terry Rudderham’s departure from Shambhala Media, and an invitation to participate in her GoFundMe campaign by Mark Whaley Shambhala has so much wisdom, vision, and heart. We are so rich in the genuine dharma—instructions on how to be decent human beings. But when it comes to enacting ... continuePosted July 28, 2016 by CGH
Hope and the Spiral of Resentment – HIGHLIGHT
A heartfelt, awake, and compassionate response to the recent shootings in Dallas by Will Handy So we continue in the spiral of resentment and violence. It’s shocking to wake up to five dead police officers and, instead of an anonymous street scene from Some City, it’s an intersection ... continuePosted July 25, 2016 by CGH
Open Doors, Open Hearts – HIGHLIGHT
Open Doors/Open Hearts by Michelle Munro I’ve been sitting here looking at a blank document for some time…What to write? What would you who are reading this want to know about the Halifax Shambhala Centre? I could tell you that things are well. That we just participated in our ... continuePosted July 21, 2016 by CGH
Fearless Openness – HIGHLIGHT
With generosity and humor, a practitioner shares her experience of the Enlightened Society Assembly program by Akiba Barberousse I’ve been to weekthüns and nyinthüns before, but I don’t think any previous practice intensive could have properly prepared me for the excitement, pain, joy, boredom, and direct openness of Enlightened Society ... continuePosted July 19, 2016 by CGH
Staffing as Service – HIGHLIGHT
Tsöndrü Joy Nicholson of the Boston Shambhala Center shares thoughtfully and beautifully about her service experience at the center. Q: What service practice do you feel most connected to and why? A: Each form of service can be profoundly moving in its own way, and I’ve been involved in ... continuePosted July 11, 2016 by CGH
A Meditation on Pulse – HIGHLIGHT
A Shambhala monastic reflects on the meaning of recent events of violence and killing, in the light of Buddhist teachings by Karma Lodro Gyedon Walking through the lush green trails in Nova Scotia, it is easy to lose myself in the idyllic surroundings of my home monastery. The soft ... continuePosted July 9, 2016 by CGH
First Kalapa Garchen – HIGHLIGHT
The first Great Gathering of Shambhala leadership with the Kongma Sakyong comes together in Vermont by David Brown This May, leaders from throughout the Shambhala community gathered with the Kongma Sakyong, among the blossoms of Karme Choling, for the first Kalapa Garchen (Great Gathering.) The Sakyong was overjoyed ... continuePosted July 7, 2016 by CGH
Lessons Learned at Karmê Chöling – HIGHLIGHT
A long-time practitioner shares his top ten things learned while on staff at Karmê Chöling…. by Frederick Meyer Immediately after finishing college in 2008, I spent one year on staff at Karmê Chöling. It was easily the most important single year of my life, and perhaps the most difficult. ... continuePosted July 5, 2016 by CGH
Going Forth on the Fourth – HIGHLIGHT
Celebrating what is good about the United States of America, on what some have started calling “Interdependence Day” by Michael Lerner Today hundreds of millions of Americans will celebrate all that is good in the history of the United States of America. Even though we know there is ... continuePosted July 4, 2016 by CGH
Sharing Midsummer Delights – HIGHLIGHT
appreciating the many joys of Midsummer Day celebrations by Carol Henderson Ah, Midsummer Day — a time for Shambhalians to gather together, to enjoy one another’s company, and to sample the many delights of this favorite holiday: a celebratory lhasang, delicious summer foods, games and laughter on the ... continuePosted June 25, 2016 by CGH
Shambhala Goes Mobile – HIGHLIGHT
Thanks to the Shambhala Trust and a great team, we are very excited to announce that the new Shambhala meditation app is now available for iOS and (finally) Android. The app is available for free, with the option of subscribing for additional teaching content. Project manager ... continuePosted June 15, 2016 by CGH
How Shambhala Changed My Life – HIGHLIGHT
...and probably saved my life too! by Tunde Nemeth I was a serial self-improver. I’ve spent more time in the self-help aisles of more bookstores than I will ever admit. I’ve tried – and failed at – affirmations, talk therapy, behavioral-cognitive therapy, Gestalt therapy, inner child work (if I ... continuePosted June 9, 2016 by CGH
Parenting as Ceremony – HIGHLIGHT
Being a parent generates opportunity in each moment, opportunities to create everyday ceremonies that celebrate and enhance our lives together by Melinda Haselton The sun peeks through the blinds and I hear the words, “Hi mama.” They draw me out of my deep sleep. Heavy eyes open, and ... continuePosted June 5, 2016 by CGH
Mindful Movement – HIGHLIGHT
Practicing mindfulness through synchronization of mind and body by Jennifer Wang Mindfulness is one of those words that seems to be everywhere these days, but how many people really know what it means? Many people associate mindfulness and meditation with sitting quietly for hours trying desperately to shut ... continuePosted June 1, 2016 by CGH
Flipping the Switch – HIGHLIGHT
The energy of depression can be endemic. But we have the power to flip the switch. by Sarah Lipton The dishes aren’t done, the laundry needs folding, dinner needs to be cooked and the baby won’t go down for a nap. Oh, and that long list of things ... continuePosted May 30, 2016 by CGH
RSS feed for the Featured Stories category
View all posts from authors in Featured Stories: jillian_johnson
