Thursday
Letter from Ani Pema Chödrön
Dear Shambhala Community-
This is a letter that Ani Pema Chödrön sent recently to the Shambhala Board and the Acharyas and now wishes to share it with the community.
Warmest best wishes,
Glenna Olmsted, Executive Assistant to Pema Chödrön
January 14, 2020
Dear Acharyas and Shambhala Board Members:
I send New Year’s greetings and my love to you all.
I’m writing to let you know that I have decided to step down as an acharya. As you know, I haven’t actually served as an acharya for a long time, and I have been considering retiring for a few years. And now, the time has come.
When I read the recent letter from the Sakyong saying that he wished to start teaching again and would do so for all who requested, I was disheartened. I experienced this news as such a disconnect from all that’s occurred in the last year and half. It feels unkind, unskillful and unwise for the Sakyong to just go forward as if nothing had happened without relating compassionately to all of those who have been hurt and without doing some deep inner work on himself.
Then came the letter from the Board informing the Shambhala community that they have invited the Sakyong to give the Rigden Abhisheka in June, and I was dumbfounded. The seemingly very clear message that we are returning to business as usual distresses me deeply. How can we return to business as usual when there is no path forward for the vast majority of the community who are devoted to the vision of Shambhala and are yearning for accountability, a fresh start, and some guidance on how to proceed? I find it discouraging that the bravery of those who had the courage to speak out does not seem to be effecting more significant change in the path forward. Continue…
Entries filed under Opinion Pieces
Holding the Middle Ground – HIGHLIGHT
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The Waiting Game, Part Two – HIGHLIGHT
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The Waiting Game, Part One – HIGHLIGHT
Making the most out of the time of your life, by surrendering to opportunities for practice by William Larsen There are some who say “practice makes perfect.” That may be, but after forty years on the meditation cushion, all I can say is that I’m still a long way ... continuePosted March 13, 2018 by CGH
Remembering Milarepa Day – HIGHLIGHT
Reflections on the preciousness of group practice and the inspiration of Milarepa’s songs of enlightenment by Carol Henderson In the early days of my connection with Shambhala Buddhism, I happened to drop by the local center in Seattle on what turned out to be Milarepa Day, the first ... continuePosted February 25, 2018 by CGH
Death in Advance, Part Two – HIGHLIGHT
How our viewpoint on life can change through the practice of contemplating death by Anne-Marie Keppel I was overjoyed when I recently read in Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s new book, The Lost Art of Good Conversation, instructions for how to contemplate our last breath on our deathbed. He asks, “What do you need ... continuePosted February 7, 2018 by CGH
Death in Advance, Part One – HIGHLIGHT
We so often avoid thinking of our own death, but what if we took a different view? by Anne-Marie Keppel From the womb, the baby opened her eyes, and saw through stretched skin patches of light. So contrary to the darkness when her eyes were closed. And when ... continuePosted February 5, 2018 by CGH
In Appreciation of Quiet – HIGHLIGHT
A few thoughts on the delights and sufferings associated with the sounds around us by Larry Barnett I like quiet. I don’t mean the complete silence of any sound whatsoever, but the quiet of the natural world. I find the sound of leaves rustling in the wind comforting. ... continuePosted January 8, 2018 by CGH
Beyond Filters – HIGHLIGHT
How to meet our young adult and teenage children as and where they are by Anne-Marie Keppel What is the ultimate goal we are seeking regarding educating and caring for our children, in our sangha and on the planet? The truth is, at present, they instead need to educate ... continuePosted December 17, 2017 by CGH
The Tiger Has Teeth – HIGHLIGHT
A Shambhala practitioner brings her understanding of Meek to the challenges and realities of sexual harassment by Allison Conant When considering the Shambhala Dignities, I was initially struggling to make sense of connecting the word Meek with Tiger. I have always associated the tiger with beauty, ferocity, unabashed ... continuePosted December 11, 2017 by CGH
Grandfather Yoga – HIGHLIGHT
Musings on aging, youth, and the practice of yoga by Larry Barnett When I was eight both of my grandfathers were sixty, which in 1956 actually was old. They were already stoop-shouldered, and mostly liked to sit shirtless in lawn chairs in the hot sun for hours, smeared ... continuePosted November 27, 2017 by CGH
We Need to Talk – HIGHLIGHT
by Jacqueline Larson A couple weeks ago I was cleaning my office and listening to CBC’s Q. Tom Power was interviewing comedian and podcaster Marc Maron on what makes up a good interview. I wasn’t familiar with Maron but when he spoke about the depth of observations and ... continuePosted November 25, 2017 by CGH
Life is a Ceremony – HIGHLIGHT
Contemplating the power and meaning of our everyday rituals by Susan Firer “Life is a ceremony” says Chogyam Trungpa. Sakyong Mipham discusses this in the eighth chapter of his book “The Shambhala Principle.” According to the Sakyong: “Through our view, contemplation, and activity, every day we are transforming commonly ... continuePosted November 23, 2017 by CGH
A Tendency to Tamper – HIGHLIGHT
Reflections on our left-brain approach to everyday life and the nature of reality by Larry Barnett My seven-year-old granddaughter and I were watching an animated movie about a curious fairy who is told by her Fairy Master not to tamper with Pixie Dust. She does, of course, and ... continuePosted September 12, 2017 by CGH
Thinking…. – HIGHLIGHT
Some thoughts on research and problem solving by Susan Firer When I was in school I loved to do research; I found it very satisfying in many ways. When I got out of school I didn’t seem to have the time for research. Or, maybe it was because ... continuePosted August 17, 2017 by CGH
The Pathology of Happiness – HIGHLIGHT
A closer look at cultural conceptions related to happiness and contentment by Larry Barnett When an idea, an object, a substance, or an emotion preoccupies consciousness to the near exclusion of anything else, we call it an obsession. And when an obsession becomes a compulsion so powerful as ... continuePosted August 3, 2017 by CGH
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