The Ground of Generosity
by Shastri Matthew Lyon In these writings, I am interested in opening an inquiry about the many facets of generosity. I have found it to be a complex subject offering a wealth of themes to explore. Why does this virtue bring peace and fulfillment? What is the right balance between caring for oneself properly and … Continue
Skillful Means in a Difficult Year
Sala Sweet, Terry Jaworski, Larry Steele and JoAnn Schindler contributed to this story. The year 2018 was a challenging time for the Seattle Shambhala Meditation Center. Reports of sexual misconduct on the part of teachers in the global community, including our lineage holder Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, touched each one of us. In our own center, … Continue
Retirements and Farewells
As we enter the Year of the Earth Boar, we will celebrate the journeys of three wonderful members of our community who have offered their time, energy, and compassion to all of us at the Seattle Shambhala Center. At our Shambhala Day celebration, we will be present for Shastri Matthew Lyon and Director Michael Busby … Continue
An update on the Center Director search
From the Search Committee and Governing Council The Search Committee* for the new Center Director is in full swing. According to chairperson Keith Hitchcock, the committee has met twice and anticipates applications for Center Director to open within the next week. At that time, all members will receive an email including the job description and … Continue
Looking Back with Thanks – Children’s Day
by Robin Willett The story of brave Iliana arose anew in the Seattle shrine room on an earlier than usual Children’s Day in December. Many came to welcome the winter season and to celebrate our children in the warmth of community. Together we enjoyed good food and conversation, lively and soulful music played all evening … Continue
Uncovering the Mystery of KI and SO
Definitions of KI and SO were crafted with advisement from Ben Hines “The Shambhala warrior’s cry. Chanting this cry is a way to rouse your head and shoulders, a way to rouse a sense of uplifted dignity. It is also a way to invoke the power of windhorse and the energy of basic goodness. We … Continue
Making a Leap
by Shastri Matthew Lyon The practice of generosity can be paradoxical. In Buddhist wisdom, the highest form of this virtue is said to be free of self-interest. When we give freely without expecting anything in return we are manifesting beautiful kindness. Yet the teachings also tell us that when we are generous in this way, … Continue
Social Restoration & the Dharma
By Kaitlyn Hatch This past autumn I was given the wonderful opportunity to lead three separate classes exploring the practices of bodhichitta, maitri/metta, and tonglen, and how they relate to the work of social restoration. Called ‘Power, Privilege & Difference’, the format for these classes was experimental, co-developed with my dear friend, John Tsungme Guy, … Continue
Parenting as Path: Balancing & Being Brave
Parenting as Path: Balancing & Being Brave, with Acharya Jenny Warwick, recording, April 2014, Seattle Shambhala Center. By Robin Willett Sending gratitude and greetings from the Families and Children program at the Seattle Shambhala Center. As the days grow shorter, we offer you three uplifting videos of the Parenting as Path: Balancing and Being Brave … Continue
Salon: How to skillfully communicate while holding opposing views
by Terry Jaworski Some of our gracious Shambhalians will open their homes in November and December for a conversational Salon. The Salons will give us an opportunity to discuss communication and how we can hold opposing views and still listen and honor each person’s perspective. One Salon will be scheduled in each of our four … Continue
