Monday, May 31, 2021
April 15, 2021: Maine Shambhala Sangha News
Dear members and friends of Brunswick Portland Shambhala,
As we wrote earlier this year, the building at 19 Mason Street in Brunswick, which we have used for almost 20 years was sold at the end of last year. With the new ownership comes a substantial increase in rent and new, more active, uses for the rest of the building.
The council has also noted, in the past year, the shift in practice and study offerings across the mandala and anticipates the digital and hybrid offerings not going away, even after centers begin to open up again.
In holding this current information, the council reached the decision this week, that the space at 19 Mason Street in Brunswick, no longer suits our needs. We have informed the landlord on April 1, 2021, that we will vacate the space by May 1, 2021.
Prior to leaving the space that has been our spiritual home for many years, we will be offering four open meditation sessions “hybrid” – in person for the first ten people who register and online for anyone on Thursday, April 15, 6:30-7:30 pm. and Sundays April 18, 9-10:30 am.
We will host a final “closing” lhasang ceremony and celebration after sitting on April 18, 10:30-11:30 am, in place of the usual coffee and conversation. We recommend bringing your own beverage as the water supply remains uncertain.
- PLEASE NOTE- The In person reservations are closed. We are at capacity.
After sitting on those four occasions, we will also provide opportunities to review and take items that are “offered.” A committee has begun the process of inventorying all the center possessions, with the view of designating a subset for storage and offering anything that has been donated back to donors first, and remaining items to all members and friends. Please let us know of your interests.
We are grateful for all the work and participation of so many people who made this space sacred and lively over these many years.
As we look forward, please note in this transition we are just giving up this current physical space. We will continue to evaluate our options as a sangha with regular online program offerings, meditation instruction, and our regular communications. Current offerings are always available at our website https://brunswickmaine.shambhala.org/programs/. We look forward to seeing many of you online for our ongoing programs.
Please join us as you are able to celebrate in appreciation the time and experiences we shared at 19 Mason Street. We look forward to seeing you online.
Yours in the dharma, the BPSMC leadership council:
Kathy Meade, Karen Monahan, Sarah Chandler, Judi Soule, Joan Carney, Peggy Christian, Frank Sanfilippo, Kit St. John.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you are interested in attending any of the IN PERSON activities at the center in the coming weeks pre-registration is required. You may do so following the links found here: PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Precautions to Observe While you are in the building for open meditation practice & the closing ceremony, as well as during the activities of the move:
We love you. We do not wish to spread the virus to those we love. That’s why…
1. Masks are required at all times.
2. Sign in for contact tracing.
3. No more than 13 people total at a time in center space.
4. Stay six feet or more apart.
PROGRAMS AND CLASSES CURRENTLY OFFERED ONLINE.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ATTENDING PROGRAM
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ATTENDING PROGRAM
Community Open Sitting– Thursdays- 6:30-7:30 PM- Topic: Thursday Evening- Community Sitting Meditation
Time: 06:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: JOIN HERE
Community Open Sitting– Sundays, 9:00- 10:30 AM Topic: Sunday Community Sitting Meditation- followed by Coffee and Conversation Time: 08:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting JOIN HERE
Heart of Recovery– Mondays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM The program will take place online. Please email: [email protected] and the link to the video conferencing call will be emailed to you.
**If you are new to zoom, please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the session so that we may address any issues you may have with connecting to the program.
THIS WEEK :
Thursday, April 15, 2021
6:30 PM Thursday night Community Meditation Practice – In Person and Online |
6:30 PM Thursday night Community Meditation Practice – HYBRID- In Person and Online |
Saturday, April 17, 2021
10:00 AM Mindful of Race Book Study and Practice Group – Online Program |
Sunday, April 18, 2021
9:00 AM Sunday Community Meditation Practice. – HYBRID – In Person and Online |
9:00 AM Sunday Community Meditation Practice. – In Person and Online |
10:30 AM Brunswick Center Celebration and Closing- Saying Goodbye- Hybrid and In Person |
Monday, April 19, 2021
6:30 PM Heart of Recovery Online |
Thursday, April 22, 2021
6:30 PM Thursday night Community Meditation Practice – Online |
Saturday, April 24, 2021
10:00 AM Mindful of Race Book Study and Practice Group – Online Program |
Sunday, April 25, 2021
9:00 AM Sunday Community Meditation Practice. – Online |
10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation: Community Connections |
WEEKLY CLASSES:
Mindful of Race Book Study and Practice Group – Online Program
with Karen Monahan, Sarah Chandler, Kathy Bither
April 3rd—May 22nd
4th Noble Truth –The Path of Shila, Samadhi, and Prajna- Video Series on Zoom
with Judi Soule
April 27th—May 25th
OPEN COMMUNITY WEEKLY SITTING PRACTICE:
Thursday night ‘OPEN MEDITATION’- Online: Zoom- video conferencing
6:30- 7:30 PM April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13, 20, 27
Sunday Open Meditation – Online: Zoom- video conferencing
9:00 – 10:30 AM April 4, 11, 18, 25 May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Heart of Recovery, Monday evenings 6:30-7:30 PM – Online: Zoom Video Conferencing
Karme Choling Practice Session Offerings
Online Practice Schedule
Our online practice sessions are free of charge. If you are able, please consider making a donation, which will allow us to continue offering community-building programs such as these.
Evening Practice:
Sadhana of Mahamudra:
Shambhala Sadhana Practice:
Karme Choling Programs:
Unmasking the Three Lords of Materialism: Three-Month Study Cycle
Shambhala Training: Windhorse *
Karma and the 12 Nidanas
Shambhala Training: Drala *
Boston Shambhala
The Bone of Existence: The Path of a Lonely Buddha
with John Rockwell
April 13th—May 4th
Friday Night Talk – Dharma Advice for Making Life Decisions
with Acharya Richard John
April 23rd
Friday Night Talk, Reprise: Embracing Loneliness with Karma Lӧdrӧ Gyendon
April 30th
New York Shambhala
Shambhala Training Level II: Birth of the Warrior (Online)
with Shastri Elizabeth Reid & Ashley Dinges
April 16th—April 18th
Contentment In Everyday Life (Online)
with Cynthia Spencer
April 29th—May 27th
Dharma Gathering: Taking Our Posture and Tasting Our Heart
with John Rockwell
May 11th
Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World (Online)
with Vegan Aharonian
June 11th—June 13th
Shambhala Online Courses:
Gender Dynamics: Conversations on Gender & Sexuality in the Three Yanas of Buddhism
Monday, May 31, 2021
The Development of Peace: An Introduction to the Basic Teachings of the Buddha
White Tara: A Soothing Practice for Difficult Times
Shambhala Online is delighted to offer The Heart of Warriorship (Levels 1-5) online over the next year. Each level will be taught live by an Acharya (senior teacher), giving us the opportunity to gather as a global community and practice with these amazing teachers.