In his Earth Day message, issued today, the Sakyong Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche warns that “our future is at a crossroads.”

“As the world now faces seemingly insurmountable challenges, our future is at a crossroads. Never has there been a more poignant time for us to hear the message of basic goodness. Many of the issues that we encounter, personally and societally, concern the very notion of human nature. 

Therefore, reflecting on humanity’s basic goodness can no longer be simply a personal contemplation; it must now be a global one. It is no longer a time when the future can be decided by one person, or even a few individuals. Rather, as a global society, we must pause and reflect on this essential theme: who are we, and what are we doing? This is the meaning of Earth Day. It is a time when humanity can reflect on who we are and how we might move forward.

Therefore, I encourage everyone to take a moment on this Earth Day to reflect on human nature and basic goodness. Then, reflect on how you personally are participating in the global society. As Shambhalians, we have the ability to help shift the global culture from one of doubt and aggression, to one of trust and kindness. It is time for us all to engage in this endeavor, both personally and socially. 

To make such a shift is the very notion of enlightened society. Rather than letting challenges overwhelm us, let them incite our warrior heritage of bravery. In this way, Earth Day can be a new dawning of the sun of human goodness. 

With blessings and aspirations for the world to be free of plague, famine, and war — and for peace and harmony to be all-victorious, 

The Sakyong”

Dear Portland Shambhala Community,

Please extend tonglen to Jack Bodner and his family.  Jack’s mother, Harriet Bodner, has been been diagnosed with acute kidney failure and has entered end of life hospice care.  His father, who recently sustained a hip fracture, is healing well.

Thank you.

Rayna Jacobson

Community Care Coordinator

Dear Sangha Community,

It is a pleasure to let you know that Vanessa and Dan Rubin welcomed two beautiful new warriors, their newborn twins, born on Tuesday March 20th, the spring equinox.  Charles Clinton was born at 1:48 PM and weighed in at 5 lbs. 6 oz.  Ella Joan was born at 1:49 PM weighing 4 lbs. 10 oz.  The twins were born a week earlier than expected.

Mother and children are home from the hospital.  At present Dan and Vanessa do not know what kind of help they might need.  When they need help, they will let the community know.  At present if you would like to contact the new family, they would prefer via email rather than phone.

All joy and goodwill to our newest warriors and their parents and grandparents.

Ann Cason and Jay Stewart

Read the Shambhala Times article written by David Whitehorn about Ann Cason’ work  on bringing Shambhala vision and teachings to the process of caring for elders:

“Let things flow though you…we can help people keep moving forward as they get old, rather than getting stuck”. Ann Cason offered these pith instructions in a recent conversation about working with aging. They reflect nearly 40 years of Ann’s work with elders and her continual drive to learn from her experiences and share what she has learned.

Read more…

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Chogyam Trungpa’s parinirvana on April 4, 2012, Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week is having a contest to give away one book by CTR for 25 days beginning April 4. The contest is sponsored by Shambhala Publications.

They are also offering a discount on all CTR books through April, with a discount code.

To learn more and to enter the contest: http://live.shambhala.com/learn-more/chogyam-trungpa/blog/

March 09 , 2012

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche visited Northern California this past weekend to offer a public address and teach the Rigden program to people from all over the mandala. His public talk on Friday night was to a standing-room-only crowd of 1,200 people at the majestic Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

To read the complete article on the visit with photos, click here

The Sakyong spoke eloquently about the “sense of bravery and self-reflection that everybody shares,” and the nature of our collective work towards creating a global mood where basic goodness is acknowledged as inherent in human nature. He noted that, “Society is no more than all the thoughts and feelings we have right now, expressed in a myriad of ways.”

He described the importance of meditation, and wryly noted, “My new book,Running with the Mind of Meditation, is not to be confused with meditation while the mind is running!” In encouraging us to practice in the face of obstacles, he observed that: “Even the great meditators weren’t necessarily in the mood. But they continued.”

The Sakyong went on to Craneway Pavilion to continue the Rigden weekend with 400 students who had completed the Way of Shambhala curriculum. Many newer students commented afterwards that up until then, the idea of “Sakyong” had been just that — an idea. Now that they had met him they understood at a heart level what Shambhala is trying to do in the world.

(This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)

Good Morning Shambhala,

The Sun Camp Leadership Group is pleased to launch our new website: www.shambhalasuncamp.org. Please help us to spread the word about these remarkable programs.

 History:

Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of the Shambhala Buddhist community was struck by the dignity and elegance of the military while he lived in England. The army had order, was uplifted, and crisp. When he came to the United States he created a Buddhist “army,” the idea being that it would utilize all the outside forms of a normal military (i.e. uniforms, marching, hierarchy, order and discipline), but that its goal and vision would be to cultivate a gentle heart, fearlessness and a wakeful mind. The adult program was called encampment; within a few years a kids program was created based on the same teachings.

Dear Friends,

Dorje Denma Ling is pleased to announce that we are adding a “free tuition” option for all of our practice intensives in 2012. Inspired by the experience of our two “free” weekthuns this year, we have decided to offer a free tuition/accommodations-only pricing option for allour practice intensives in 2012, including Shamatha weekthüns/dathüns, Werma and Ngöndro intensives, and Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara and Mahamudra retreats.  Here are the key details:

• For the list of programs below, we will offer full, discounted, and “accommodations only” pricing (free tuition)
• Everyone is encouraged to come!
• If you can pay the full or discounted tuition, please do so – having people attend at all price levels is what will allow us to offer the free tuition rate
• Payment plans are available at all tuition levels
• We have limited housing, so register early
• The free tuition rate is $30/day in the non-summer months, and this is the minimum daily fee (no additional discounts apply)

   

2012 Practice Intensives:

Please help us make this program a success! Come to support others in their journey by paying one of the regular tuition rates, or if your finances require it, come to take advantage of that community support by opting for the free tuition. As our individual economic circumstances ebb and flow, we can feel the richness of creating community together and supporting each other through the different phases of our lives.

We hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

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Greetings from Shambhala Archives!

2012 is the year in which we mark the 25th parinirvana of the Vidyadhara. Our newsletter begins with a personal reflection from Sakyong Mipham on his father:

As part of my own contemplation on basic goodness, I reflected on my father’s life. He experienced the loss of his culture, the destruction of his home, and the knowledge that his friends and family were being tortured. One of the most brilliant minds of his generation—the last to be fully trained in Tibet—he became a refugee in places where nobody understood who he was or what he knew…

We invite you to read the full quote, and learn about progress in our projects in the 2012 Newsletter. Also visit our website at archives.shambhala.org to visit new photo galleries and learn more about our activities as the main repository of Shambhala teachings and Lineage artifacts.

This year we are again raising funds that will go towards several important preservation projects, help to maintain our facility, the ongoing expenses and pay two part time salaries.

Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated. May Shambhala continue to flourish!

With love and appreciation,

Carolyn Gimian, Director Emeritus Shambhala Archives

Gordon Kidd, Technical Director, Shambhala Archives

Sandra Kipis, Administrative/Archival Assistant

Jeanne Riordon, Ladrang Curator

Ruth Whitehead, Photographic Collections

Emily Sell, Co-Director, Shambhala Media

Terry Rudderham, Co-Director, Shambhala Media