New Board Members Share Expansive Views

By Larry Steele An expansive vision of benefit beyond self shines through each member of Seattle Shambhala’s Board of Directors, like light reflecting from the facets of a wish-fulfilling jewel. Each officer of the seven-member Board, which was first seated on Shambhala Day 2020, brings unique strengths, life experiences, and a deep commitment to the … Continue 

Pema Chödrön with Advice on Wholehearted Living during a Global Pandemic

By Andrea D’Asaro After a 45-minute wait, thousands of Pema Chödrön fans finally saw her face through a FaceTime patch into Zoom on Sunday, May 17, as part of one of Shambhala Online’s weekly Sunday Gatherings, this time a question and answer event. Pema encouraged her online support team to keep trying, despite connection difficulties: … Continue 

Windhorse Retreat Center is Open

by Larry Steele Beyond the Tibetan-style gateway, nestled among hundreds of trees and echoing with birdsong, sit the three small cabins of Windhorse Retreat Center. Over the past 9 years, a steady stream of meditators have taken the ferry to Whidbey Island, loosened their ties to the everyday world, and settled into the cabins for … Continue 

Courage and Generosity

by Matthew Lyon In these anxious times, it is natural to slip into a cycle of hope and fear. We have fear of contracting the virus, and yet hope we won’t. Fear that society and economies will fall apart, and hope for a cure or effective treatments to bring stability. Fear of the dysfunction of … Continue 

Meeting a Monk in Myanmar

By Laura Kaye Chamberlain Earlier this year, sangha member Laura Chamberlain moved across the world to Myanmar, where she currently works and lives. She shared some of her experiences and thoughts on Buddhism and her Path with us in this article. My first Sunday in Myanmar, I talked with a monk. (I must say, this … Continue 

Neighborhood Delegs Overcome Social Isolation

by Andrea D’Asaro Despite the short-term shuttering of our center, members are gathering for happy hours, meditation groups, and salons, along with helping each other with grocery and pharmacy deliveries. No, Shambhalians aren’t breaking social distancing guidelines, they are congregating online in community delegs, or subgroups among members. “Our center has nine delegs from Port … Continue 

Coronavirus Reflections from West Africa

by Sala Sweet Sweet, a long-time Seattle Shambhala member,  was in Ghana, West Africa, when COVID-19 first hit our communities in Washington. She was there to help fight malaria, a disease that already takes 400,000 Ghanian lives each year. Sweet faces unique challenges as she works with doctors, health clinics, and volunteers as part of … Continue 

A Great Gathering of the Sangha

By Larry Steele Shambhala Day may have been our last face-to-face community gathering before COVID-19 changed our lives. Nevertheless, as it is every year, the day marked a great gathering of the Seattle sangha of Shambhalians. The video broadcast from Karmê Chöling linked Seattle with Shambhala centers around the world, in North and South America, … Continue 

Generosity in Fearful Times

By Matthew Lyon In these challenging times in the world, fear and uncertainty abound. We face multiple sources of anxiety as our personal health, the well being of society, and our financial stability are all threatened. Emotions are raw and at times turbulent. Today I was in line at a bank drive-in window, and the … Continue 

Practices for Difficult Times: Caring for Ourselves and Others

by Andrea D’Asaro Exchanging self for others in tonglen practice, bringing attention to small moments, creating a home retreat, and focusing our minds on feeling what we are feeling, are among the ways senior Shambhala teachers are suggesting we keep our practices going while the Seattle Shambhala Center is closed as part of the social … Continue