Shambhala Day Inspires Seattle Sangha into the Year of the Earth Boar
By Andrea D’Asaro Despite a week’s delay from the mammoth Snowzilla storm, Shambhala Day brought out a crowd of attendees on Saturday, February 16. Guests enjoyed a drizzly but spirited lhasang, or juniper smoke blessing, in the front driveway. Then, with a full shrine room, the Director of Culture and Decorum, Ladan Yalzadeh greeted participants. … Continue
Thoughts from our Sangha
by Sala Sweet Over the past few months, we as members of the Seattle Shambhala sangha have been faced with many painful revelations about the abuses of the Sakyong and other teachers. The news is painful and affects each member in a different way. Long term members who came to Shambhala as a result of … Continue
Eastside Satellite Remembered
by Larry Steele The Eastside Satellite, where Shambhala volunteers introduced the dharma to new meditators in the Overlake neighborhoods of Bellevue, has closed for now. The satellite was started ten years ago by Jim Jennings, a student of Chögyam Trungpa and Seattle Shambhala member. The group hosted weekly sitting, discussion, and dharma book clubs, always … Continue
A Call to Action
by Larry Steele Seattle Shambhala’s volunteer leaders sounded a “Call to Action” in February, outlining our sangha’s commitment to preserving the teachings and community of Shambhala. In an email letter to members entitled “Seattle Shambhala Call to Action”, the Governing Council said, “we believe that many of you share our commitment.” The letter asks sangha … 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
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
Giving Back
by Robin Willett Gabe Jones washed, sanded, and repainted the umdze platform. You might have noticed its beautiful blue during the Tea Ceremony at this year’s Harvest of Peace or while you were sitting on any Sunday since then. Repainting the platform is the first of Gabe’s projects to give back to those who gave … Continue
Downtown Emergency Services Center recognizes Awake in Action
by Larry Steele Seattle Shambhala’s Awake in Action volunteers are basically good. In fact, they are the best. Ask anyone at the Downtown Emergency Services Center, which recently named Awake in Action as its 2018 Volunteer Group of the Year. Coordinator Sandra Noel and some of her team members accepted the award during a gala Breakfast … Continue
Our inner path through crisis
Matthew Lyon has been a Shastri, or senior teacher, in Shambhala for nine years and has held various responsibilities in the organization for 42 years, including serving as center director in Seattle and Burlington.Vermont. Recently, he talked with Larry Steele about how to practice in a time of crisis, and how to hold Shambhala teachings … Continue
