July 29, 2021: Maine Shambhala Sangha News
While the physical center is closed, our community continues to be at the core of all that we do. In order to care for each other, we are offering a variety of ways to stay connected. With the power of virtual options such as Zoom, we are able to keep us connected for practice, study, and gathering.
If you are looking for ways to connect with the community, please check the website, as well as your emails, for updates on events. Let us use this time to come together and to keep our connections strong and meaningful.
If you would be more comfortable connecting with a person directly rather than visiting our website for information, please contact us at [email protected]. We will be in touch shortly after receiving your inquiry.
Please join us online!
An Invitation to community members to join an important conversation:
We hope that this note finds you well and enjoying the joys of the summer season. So much has changed- even in just the past few months.
Our local communities are beginning to open up again. Opportunities are arising to come together in person. We are gravitating to outdoor activities here in Maine as the season of warm breezes is a short one.
As many of you are aware, the decision was made in April to close our Shambhala Center in Brunswick when it became apparent that the dynamics of the building’s energy was shifting with a new owner in place. A group of us sorted, edited, and packed the items that we wanted to keep and moved it all into storage.
For the past few months, we have been a virtual sangha. During that time, the council has reflected and relaxed into the energy that is. With a clear mind and not clinging to what was, we would like to begin assessing the best way to move forward together as a sangha.
For that, we need to hear from you…. What matters most to you?… What offerings best support your practice? ….. How important is a physical community practice and study space for you?… AND… What energy do you have to offer to be a part of the process of moving forward together?
We have crafted a brief survey to begin the conversation. Our aspiration is to hear from as many voices as possible. The survey will be open for feedback/ comments for one month.
During the month of August, we will review the results and invite those who expressed an interest in being part of follow up conversations to come together with council members.
Our intention is to have some clarity in early fall to address the next steps for our community.
In the meantime, we are working on a fall schedule of program offerings and will keep you posted on that through the weekly newsletter.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and aspirations with us.
Please watch for the link in your weekly newsletter.
In the Vision of the Great Eastern Sun,
The Shambhala Brunswick Portland Council
Governing Council Minutes: June 2021
REGISTRATION IS OPEN:
CURRENTLY OFFERED ONLINE:
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 5-10 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, July 29, 2021
| 6:30 PM Thursday night Community Meditation Practice – Online |
Sunday, August 1, 2021
| 9:00 AM Sunday Community Meditation Practice. – Online |
Monday, August 2, 2021
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Sunday, August 8, 2021
WEEKLY CLASSES and Gatherings:
What do Refuge and Bodhisattva vows contribute to our daily life?
with Shastri Christopher St. John
August 24th—September 18th
OPEN COMMUNITY WEEKLY SITTING PRACTICE:
Thursday night ‘OPEN MEDITATION’- Online: Zoom- video conferencing
6:30- 7:30 PM August 5, 12, 19, 26 September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Sunday Open Meditation – Online: Zoom- video conferencing
9:00 – 10:30 AM August 1,8, 15, 22, 29 September 5, 12, 19, 26
Heart of Recovery, Monday evenings 6:15-7:15 PM – Online: Zoom Video Conferencing
Karme Choling Programs:
ONLINE: The Way of the Bodhisattva: Entering the Path of Compassion
Online: The World of Gesar of Ling
August 7 – September 11 with Robin Kornman
Online – Rousing Life Force: Teachings on Gesar Lhasangs
August 11 – 14 with Mark Nowakowski
Learn the Art of Japanese Archery: Kyudo First Shot
Sacred Path ONLINE: Outrageous and Inscrutable *
September 25 – 26
HYBRID: Yeshe Tsogyal and the Feminine Principle: Buddhist and Shambhalian Perspectives
September 25 – 26 with Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown and Alex Vlasic
Online: Opening Our Heart through Opening Our Senses — Mudra Space Awareness
October 9 – 10 with Dr. Craig Warren Smith and Suzann Duquette
HYBRID: Unwavering Compassion: A White Tara Retreat with Mahayana and Vajrayana Sadhanas
Sakyong Lineage Offering:
Recently, the Sakyong responded to students’ supplication to guide them through the entire path by teaching on the hinayana tradition in Foundations of Dharma and Refuge, which was the first in the Foundations series of teachings. The Sakyong will continue with teachings on the mahayana tradition this fall with the Foundations of Compassion and the Bodhisattva Vow.
Foundations of Compassion and the Bodhisattva Vow is intended for students who would like to study the mahayana with the Sakyong. Formal entry into the Buddhist path through taking, or retaking, refuge vows with the Sakyong is a requisite to attend these teachings. The Sakyong will offer refuge vows on the first weekend of the teachings. Bodhisattva vows will be offered on the final weekend, however, taking them is not a requisite for joining the teaching event.
Foundations of Compassion and the Bodhisattva Vow will take place over five-weekend teaching events, with the entire globe participating each weekend.
The dates for this series of teachings are:
Refuge Preparatory Class: August 28th (only for students taking refuge for the first time)
Weekend 1: September 11-12: Refuge Vow (for all students)
Weekend 2: October 2-3
Weekend 3: October 23 – 24
Weekend 4: November 13-14
Weekend 5: December 4-5: Bodhisattva Vow
If you are interested in joining this course, please express your interest at [email protected].
Shambhala Online Courses:
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.
Welcome to the Heart of Warriorship
“When you don’t punish or condemn yourself, when you relax more and appreciate your body and mind, you begin to contact the fundamental notion of basic goodness in yourself. So it is extremely important to be willing to open yourself to yourself.”
– from Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa
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.
ABOUT:
When we truly create the time and space to dive fully into meditation practice, we are able to experience the possibilities of openness and relaxation that exist when we settle fully into the present moment. These trainings are opportunities to work directly with experienced teachers and qualified instructors, and to engage meditation practice in a deep way – discovering what occurs through extended sessions of sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful movement exercises. In addition, each weekend offers a subtle but powerful variation on the basic meditation technique, empowering us with a full range of mindfulness-awareness practices that guide and inform our journey.
Through the contemplative experience of Shambhala Training, we can awaken our inherent dignity, kindness and confidence and open fully to our life as it is, right here and now.
What to expect:
– Daily talks by the Acharya
– Guided meditation sessions
– Lots of meditation practice
– Interactive activities
– Discussion Groups
– Opportunity to meet with a meditation instructor
– Specially produced cinematography for each weekend
– Time to gather and converse
– Additional free talks by senior teachers between each intensive
– Additional opportunities to gather virtually as a community between each course
– Opportunity to steep in meditation practice in a transformative, unique virtual environment
If you have not attended the Heart of Warriorship retreats before, this is a wonderful opportunity to participate in these amazing meditation intensives and get a taste of the potency of Shambhala training.
DATES / TIMES / SCHEDULE
Please save the date for these live retreats.
(Click here for the levels’ daily schedule.)
Shambhala Training, Level 3: Warrior in the World
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Developing fearlessness by examining our habitual tendencies, we are willing to experience our life without relying on the cocoon. We begin to engage the world directly and extend the attitude of fearlessness to our activities.
With trust in basic goodness and daring to experience the sharp edge of reality, we move forward with gentleness, increased awareness, and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is. We can extend ourselves to others fully and with kindness.
Communicating with the world gently and fearlessly, our awareness is sharpened and we find the open clear sky of mind—a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy. We trust our nature enough to let go into the present moment.
Shambhala Online Weekly Sunday Offerings:
Shambhala Sunday Gathering – In What World Do We Live? A Journey Into the Six Realms of Existence (In French With English Translation)
Shambhala Sunday Gathering – Taming the Demons: Gesar Volume 4 – Meet the Authors Event with Jane Hawes and David Shapiro
Shambhala Sunday Gathering – Embracing Space: Resting in the Brilliance
Shambhala Sunday Gathering – Casa Werma: Birthplace of the Werma Sadhana
