Seattle Shares Ideas with Acharya Richard John

by Larry Steele   

Acharya Richard JohnSeattle is “without question one of the strongest Shambhala Centers, which has everything to do with the spirit and wisdom of the teachers, leaders and sangha members old and new,” according to Acharya Richard John.  The Acharya expressed this impression repeatedly during his recent visit to Seattle, including at a very harmonious community meeting called “Creating Enlightened Society” on the evening of October 9.

More than 30 sangha members filled the upper shrine room for the event.  They shared excitement about our many expanding programs, from satellite centers, and community events, to prison outreach.  The evening’s central theme, however, was how to do even more in the future as we offer the wisdom of Shambhala to everyone.

Center Director Tom Gaylord said,HOP Tom#6 “Two basic themes arose from what we said to each other: First, that we need to continue to hold, strengthen, and better express our depth and profundity, our inner and inward-looking core. Second, while doing that, we long to find effective ways to work outwardly, to engage the world with all of its problems and suffering. It is especially interesting that this theme of “going deep and looking out” is the major thrust of the Sakyong’s latest book, “The Shambhala Principle.”

Many sangha members expressed ideas about how to “go deep and look out.”  One said that mindfulness practices are growing rapidly outside of Shambhala, among doctors, lawyers, students, teachers, athletes, and many other communities.  People often approach mindfulness to achieve practical, self-help goals, such as stress reduction.  “We need to figure out how we stand in regard to this general mindfulness movement,” she said.  This opened the discussion for many suggestions about how to strengthen Seattle Shambhala’s marketing effort.

One person urged our involvement in structural issues of social justice, akin to the Civil
Rights movement.  Another said that we need to “meet people where they are.”

Meeting people where they are may require more space, in a more visible location.  This topic sparked different suggestions.  Several people suggested that Seattle Shambhala should expand incrementally and be agile about renting space for large programs, or even creating “pop up” events.  Others described possible visions for expanding into another space of our own, in addition to the current center, where we can create an uplifted container.  One member of the management board said that a vision of more space may be approaching fruition, and will mean strengthening our commitment for both volunteer staffing and financial support.

Acharya John listened quietly, and warmly, to every person who spoke.  Surely he would agree with one of our senior teachers, who reflected on the words of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi: “You are perfect the way you are … and you could use a little improvement”

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