Ziji Welcome Picnic Social, Aug. 2

Written by Annica Crouse —

“Ziji” is the Tibetan word for the innate, brilliant confidence possessed by all beings.

Would you like to be a part of inspiring social change? The Ziji Collective has begun in Seattle!! If you’re interested in being a part of this emerging movement, join us on Saturday, August 2^nd at 12pm for a Ziji Welcome Potluck & Picnic Social! We will discuss Ziji and how it may manifest in Seattle.   Click here for more details: http://seattle.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=181187 .

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I return to Seattle energized and inspired! In the beginning of May I attended the Ziji Collective Global Summit, a gathering of creative young Shambhalians from across the country and the world. This event, graciously hosted by the San Francisco Shambhala Center, allowed leaders of Young Meditators Groups and Ziji Collectives to connect and share their experiences and ideas about new ways to bring our practice off the cushion and into our communities. The assembly was addressed by the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, who shared his vision for the future of Shambhala and the Ziji Collective.

The goals of the Ziji Collective are twofold, to give back to the sangha in the spirit of basic goodness and to create and support a social movement within Shambhala. These groups have spread from its origin in San Francisco to 18 different cities all over the world.

The summit culminated with the arrival of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, who addressed the Ziji Assembly on Thursday evening. In his address he spoke of the importance of leaders and mentorship as we move forward into the future. His words echoed a theme of the summit; the time is NOW to take our meditation off the cushion, out of the centers, and into the world. He reiterated the importance of Ziji’s mission, to work towards enlightened society through social change, both in our centers and our communities.

The evening before the Sakyong’s address we gathered to hear a talk by Ziji Founder Alex Van Gils. He discussed the question, “What is Ziji”, and shared the story of the group’s origin as a movement for social change.

Thursday morning arrived with an atmosphere invigorated with positive collective force. After a delicious breakfast, chants and lhasang were lead by Loden Nyima, an attending monk from Gampo Abbey. With our energies aroused we headed to our choice of rotating workshops. Shastri Nick Kranz lead a group in the practice of Social Meditation, a newly evolving way to experience meditation as a form of cultural interaction. Others joined Shastri Gayley to explore the art of “Salons”, a practice of listening and engaging that can facilitate meaningful cultural and social conversations. Ziji Leader Katrin Welsh lead a third group in a creative discussion about supporting and expanding Shambhala culture in our Ziji events.

On the final morning of the Summit, Acharya Melissa Moore lead us in experiential meditation, asking the group to contemplate the important question of “how do we find our voice”? Alex Van Gils shared his remarks on governance before leading us in our last activity, an impromptu “Sparks Activate”, designed to create a forum for those with projects and ideas to garner support and inspiration.

Throughout the workshops, discussions, and talks, the true spirit of the Ziji Collective shone through. The summit was a manifestation of the power we have as a group and the energy we can create together. As a collective, Ziji inspires a true camaraderie and friendship. There is strength in that support, and we bring this energy with us as we move forward.

Please contact Annica Crouse ([email protected]) for more information.