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
Shambhala Day 2018 – HIGHLIGHT
Cheerful Shambhala Day from everyone here at the Shambhala Times Join us as we celebrate the Year of the Earth Dog! As Shambhala members gather with friends, family, and community to celebrate Shambhala Day this weekend, here at the Times we’re preparing a set of special articles to ... continuePosted February 15, 2018 by CGH
Letter From Lady Diana – HIGHLIGHT
This has been a very dark dön season for many people. It has exposed a tremendous amount of pain that people have experienced both in the Shambhala community and in the greater world. Having the Shambhala community as the focal point for the majority of my life, ... continuePosted February 12, 2018 by CGH
Atlantic Contemplative Centre – HIGHLIGHT
Supporting the integration of contemplative practice into society in Atlantic Canada by Jim Torbert and David Whitehorn Looking out from the ninth floor window, my attention went first to the elaborate metal gate that marks the main entrance into the Halifax Public Gardens, a huge holiday wreath on ... continuePosted February 3, 2018 by
Cultivating Dignity – HIGHLIGHT
Creating Enlightened Society is the work of fully welcoming ourselves, each other, and our lineages by Kelsey Blackwell We came from Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Illinois, Canada and beyond. Traveling to Sky Lake Retreat Center in New York’s Hudson Valley, we were not deterred by the bomb ... continuePosted January 20, 2018 by CGH
Peace NOW Symposium – HIGHLIGHT
Celebrating a successful event in Vienna, reflecting on the experience, and laying plans for the future by Joanna Francis Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche had no hesitation when he was asked when peace should happen during the Peace NOW Symposium in Vienna, “Creating Peace in Difficult Times.” The answer was ... continuePosted January 6, 2018 by CGH
Meet the Nuns of Surmang – HIGHLIGHT
A day in the life of a wonderful community of nuns in eastern Tibet by Jessie Litven and Gaye Carlson Surmang Nunnery is a special place—in the vicinity of Surmang Dutsi Til, the home monastery of the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in eastern Tibet. We feel so fortunate to ... continuePosted December 15, 2017 by CGH
Nunnery Bread, Nomadic Families – HIGHLIGHT
An update on recent activities by local volunteers for the Gesar Fund from An van Bolhuis, Eric Elbers, Nyima Kunga, Martin Regtien, and Han de Wit The hamlet of Gaduo is 75 km from Dönda, shown on the map below. A nunnery is located in Gaduo, but ... continuePosted December 3, 2017 by CGH
Contemplating the Think Tank – HIGHLIGHT
Part Four of a four-part series sharing the experiences of participants in the first ever Shambhala Social Engagement Think Tank, held October 12-15 at Sky Lake Shambhala Meditation and Retreat Center by Alexandria Barnes, Assistant to Director of Office of Social Engagement, Chicago, Illinois To address a critical mass in ... continuePosted November 21, 2017 by CGH
Think Tank Reflections – HIGHLIGHT
Part Three of a four-part series sharing the experiences of participants in the first ever Shambhala Social Engagement Think Tank, held October 12-15 at Sky Lake Shambhala Meditation and Retreat Center by Ashley Hodson, Director Boston Shambhala Center, Boston, Massachusetts I appreciate this opportunity to talk about my experience at ... continuePosted November 19, 2017 by CGH
Think Tank: One of Many Voices – HIGHLIGHT
Part Two of a four-part series sharing the experiences of participants in the first ever Shambhala Social Engagement Think Tank, held October 12-15 at Sky Lake Shambhala Meditation and Retreat Center by Tuyet Cullen, Director Madison Shambhala Center, Madison, WI I must do internal preparation before I enter Shambhala spaces. ... continuePosted November 16, 2017 by CGH
Think Tank: Four Voices – HIGHLIGHT
Part One of a four-part series sharing the experiences of participants in the first ever Shambhala Social Engagement Think Tank, held October 12-15 at Sky Lake Shambhala Meditation and Retreat Center by Shastri Charlene Leung, Chairperson of the Shambhala International Diversity Working Group Perhaps “Embody, Feel, & Be Tank” more ... continuePosted November 14, 2017 by CGH
Karmapa Summer – HIGHLIGHT
My journey with the 17th Karmapa’s first Canada tour by Sora Wei The autumn chill is filling the air, and leaves are falling to the ground; the vivid red of the leaves reminds me of my journey traveling to see the Karmapa for the first time. The Karma ... continuePosted November 8, 2017 by CGH
More Money, Mind, and Meditation – HIGHLIGHT
Part two of a two-part interview with Shastri Matthew Lyon about how the Shambhala spiritual path works with financial success Q: Is there an aspect of meditation related to receiving generosity? A: Yes, that’s one of the themes of the Money, Mind and Meditation course. The theme that generosity ... continuePosted November 3, 2017 by CGH
Money, Mind, and Meditation – HIGHLIGHT
Part one of a two-part interview with Shastri Matthew Lyon about how the Shambhala spiritual path works with financial success How do we, as meditators, learn to balance a spiritual path with worldly achievement? Sometimes financial success can seem at odds with spirituality. Yet, the tradition of ... continuePosted November 1, 2017 by CGH
Shambhala to Myanmar – HIGHLIGHT
A letter from Shambhala regarding recent events in Rhakine State, particularly violence toward the Rohingya community Chairman Bamaw Sayadaw Dr. Ashwin Kumara Bhivamsa, State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (Ma Ha Na), Thiri Mingalar Kabar Aye Hill, Yangon, Myanmar 28 September 2017 Dear Chairman, venerable monks, elders, and respected leaders, I am writing to you, ... continuePosted October 27, 2017 by CGH
RSS feed for the Featured Stories category
View all posts from authors in Featured Stories: jillian_johnson