Service as Path

by Jill Avey

In the words of Julia King Tamang, “To do a job mindfully and well is a pleasure. To attend to details that might make the difference between ‘good enough’ and ‘good’ can be joyful. To finish one’s work commitments at a high level of integrity is fulfilling. To work in that way in the midst of challenges is excellent practice.”

One of the opportunities to practice at Shambhala is through volunteering. While most everything at our center happens through volunteers, staffing programs and open houses are two easy areas to get started. There is no pressure to volunteer, some people don’t have the time and others don’t have an interest, this is totally okay. But for those who are interested, volunteering can be rewarding in many ways.

Learning to use teachings in our lives

Staffers go through all the same things when volunteering as they do in daily life. They get annoyed, they hurry, they worry about getting something done right or on time, and they feel pressured. But, unlike daily life these stressors are happening in a safe, supportive environment that provides a reminder to be mindful. Through use of Right Speech, for example, staffers can practice talking to people in ways that are helpful, timely and kind while refraining from idle chatter.

Being of service to others

Shambhala teaches that we can find happiness and contentment in helping others. Since our programs couldn’t happen without the people who staff, many find it rewarding to be a part of making them happen so that others can learn the teachings too.

“Nurturing gratitude for the opportunity to work as practice helps us when things get tough. Seeing the work as work, we can feel burdened. Seeing it as practice, we can feel inspired.” – Julia King Tamang

Getting to know fellow sangha members

Sitting with others to meditate is beneficial in so many ways but the big limitation is that it can be hard to meet your fellow meditators. One of the many ways to meet people in the community is through staffing. Working next to someone can be a bonding experience and a way to get to know someone.

Hearing the teachings again

The Shambhala teachings are deep and take time to understand and integrate. They can resonate differently when heard at different times in one’s life. And, the variety of teachers each have their own way of communicating the teachings. These factors all combine to make the material seem new just about every time you hear it.

We encourage everyone to volunteer to staff a program or two each year. You can feel good about providing the opportunity for others to learn as you have. The benefits of working with others in a mindful setting and hearing the programs over again add to make the time spent rewarding.