Ongoing Events
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Open House and
Group Sittings
Monday
Mindfulness meditation,
7-8 pm, and thought-provoking discussion from 8-9 pm.
The first Monday of the month, the discussion topic is "What is Shambhala?".
Tuesday
Mindfulness meditation,
7-8 pm
Thursday
Mindfulness meditation,
7-8 pm
There are people available at all sittings to
answer questions about your practice. All are welcomed to
drop in or attend regularly. There is no fee. Please join us!
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Community
Practice Days
Dates:
Sundays, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, Mar. 28, Apr. 25
From 9 am-noon.
You are invited to participate in extended group
sittings, dharma readings and discussion. This opportunity to meditate,
contemplate and socialize with other sangha members is usually offered the last
Sunday of each month from 9 am -12 noon followed by a pot luck lunch. You are welcome to join in for all or part of
this practice.
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Children's Programs
Programs include play, storytelling, group discussion, movement, crafts and
meditation instruction. Parents are requested to remain at the Center
during the program. This is also a wonderful opportunity for parents to
meet others who share an interest in meditation.
Call Phyllis Mark to
confirm dates and for more information: 587-3710.
Ages 3-6
Meets monthly on Saturdays, 10-11:30 am;
Jan 9, Feb. 13,
Mar. 6, Apr. 10
Ages 7-10
Meets monthly on Sundays, 1:30-3 pm
Jan 10, Feb. 14,
Mar. 7, Apr. 11
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Spirituality and
Social Action
Dates: Sunday, Jan. 3; Saturdays, Feb. 13,
Mar. 6, Apr. 3
Sitting meditation:
9:30 am-10:15 am
Discussion:
10:15 am until noon
Want to spend a morning in peaceful meditation
and lively, dharma discussion? Then,
join our gathering as we relate the practice
of meditation to the pressing issues facing us locally and globally!
Newcomers welcome. Generally meets on the first Saturday of each month. Check website for meeting locations.
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Monthly Book Group
Meets monthly on
Fridays,
7 - 8:30 pm;
Jan. 15, Feb 19, Mar. 19,
Apr. 9; 7-8:30 pm
Book Selection for Jan: Living Buddha, Living Christ,
by Thich Nhat Hahn
If
you have always assumed that Christianity and Buddhism are as far apart
philosophically as their respective founders were geographically, you
may be in for a bit of a surprise. In this national bestseller, Zen
monk and social activist Thich Nhat Hanh draws parallels between these
two traditions that have them walking, hand in hand, down the same path
to salvation.
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Dharma Film and
Pizza Night
Meets monthly on Sat. evening at 6:30
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Director's Message
 In this first column as your Director, I want to tell you
about my excitement with the changes and growth happening here.It is also important to acknowledge
that, as we move forward, we are building on the excellent leadership provided
by our outgoing Director, Janet Bronstein.
Most of the people coming through our doors probably don't
know that we are governed by a Center Council, but you will be seeing more
information about this posted around the Center in the near future. Last summer, Janet spearheaded the reorganization
of the Center's Council into clusters of responsibility such as Practice and
Education, Communication, Environment and Membership among others.The coordinators of these clusters
serve as the Council. For example,
the Communications cluster includes the print and electronic newsletter, ads in
local media, bulletin boards, and so on, and the coordinator is LisaJDrenning.
more...Marion Buckley
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Beginning January 6th:
Contemplating Contentment
Teachers: Marion Buckley and Janet Bronstein
Fee: $75 or pay what you are able
Wednesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3; 7:00-9:00 pm
Register for Class
Contentment
can be hard to find. Much of the time we search for contentment in
things, achievements or relationships. With meditation practice, we
relax with ourselves and appreciate simple human experiences. Difficult
emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness,
mindfulness and inquisitiveness. This is a Way of Shambhala Program and is a prerequisite for several upcoming Way of Shambhala classes in this series.
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 About Shambhala Training and
The Way of Shambhala
Shambhala Training
is a series of contemplative workshops, suited for both beginning and
experienced meditators. The simple and profound technique of
mindfulness and awareness is the basis of a secular path of meditation,
which can benefit people of any spiritual tradition. Shambhala Training
is the study and practice of Shambhala warriorship-the tradition of
human bravery and leadership.
The Way of Shambhala offers a structured path of meditation and a complete introduction to the foundations of Shambhala Buddhism. Suitable
for both beginning and experienced meditators, and open to people of
any spiritual tradition, this series of weekends and classes provide a
strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice, wisdom
teachings, and physical practices rooted in the ancient traditions of
Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. Students will also be introduced to
contemplative disciplines that make the journey experiential - touching
our emotions, our intelligence, our creativity, and the practical
details of daily life in modern society. The Way of Shambhala is
a sequential series of weekends and a sequential series of weeknight
classes. Each series may be taken on its own, or the two may be
combined.
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Practice, Love, Protect, and Act The natural steps we can take to apply Shambhala Buddhism to environmental action
By Irene Lorch-Wauchope, Shambhala Times
Practice
makes us more aware: we look around and we see what is going on. As we
practice, our circle of awareness naturally expands, and we become more
aware of our immediate surroundings, as well as of the state of the
world. When we come out of our cocoon, we notice our environment - in
the smallest and in the biggest sense of the word.
As
practitioners, we also become aware of the interconnectedness and
interdependence of everything: we realize that we depend on all the
natural systems of this planet for our survival. When we are informed
of the global climate crisis, we are brave enough to face the
"Inconvenient Truth" rather then shying away from it because it is too
scary.
more
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New Year's Retreat
Chuck and Mary Whetsell
Fee: No charge
December 31, January 1 & January 2; 9:00 am- 6:00 pm
Jealousy,
hatred, indifference and possessiveness, even in their milder forms
fuel the ongoing low level of aggression that gnaws away and
fundamentally weakens the foundation of society. This three-day retreat
will focus on meditation and the exploration of the Four Immeasurables,
the antidote for these harmful emotions. Participants
may attend one, two or three days of this retreat, but are asked to be
there for the entire day of any days they attend. Bring your own lunch and tea snacks. For more information contact Chuck at 595-8568 or cwhetsell@mindspring.com.
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Contemplating Contentment
Teachers: Marion Buckley and Janet Bronstein
Fee: $75 or pay what you are able
Wednesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3; 7:00-9:00
Register for Class
Contentment
can be hard to find. Much of the time we search for contentment in
things, achievements or relationships. With meditation practice, we
relax with ourselves and appreciate simple human experiences. Difficult
emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness,
mindfulness and inquisitiveness.
This is a Way of Shambhala class and prerequisite for the March class, Rousing Joy, The Disclipline of Helping Others.
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Level lll Shambhala Training:
Warrior in the World
Teacher: Mary Whetsell
Fee: $100 or pay what you are able, $8 for lunch
Friday, March 12; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 13; 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 14;8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Registration will be available starting in January
Developing
fearlessness by examining our habitual tendencies, we are willing to
experience our life without relying on the cocoon. We begin to engage
the world directly and extend the attitude of fearlessness to our
activities. For more information, call Marion Buckley at 908-5405.
Levels 1 & 2 are prerequisites for taking Levels 3.
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Mindful Parenting
Fee: no charge
Sundays, Jan. 3, Feb. 21, Mar. 28, Apr. 18; 1:00-3:00 pm
How
can parents learn about buddhist dharma (teachings), Shambhala vision,
and the tool of meditation in the midst of our busy lives on the
parenting path? By attending our monthly Mindful Parenting Group! Join
in on the chance to exchange experiences, give each other support and
learn more about the enriching and gentle buddhist view of this
powerful opportunity called parenting. CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED. Call
Phyllis for more information: 587-3710. No charge.
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Community Gatherings
Sundays, Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 21, Apr. 25; 4:00-6:00 pm
Because
a primary value of the Space Visioning Process is that no big decision
shall be made without the consensual support of the community of
Members and Friends, a series of monthly community gatherings will be
held beginning in January 2010. We will present information about the
options for the short- and long-term plans for our space so that the
community can have educated opinions. Probable topics include
current status of the short- and long-term plans, options for ownership
structure, options for operations, and options for structure in a new
space. We are strongly requesting that participants attend all of the
gatherings.
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Winter Retreat
Fee: No charge
Thursday, Feb. 4 through Friday, Feb. 12
Weeknights 6-9 pm; Weekend 9 am-6 pm
Winter
time, prior to Shambhala Day (Buddhist New Year), has traditionally
been a time when intensive meditation practice is particularly
recommended. It is designed so that people can go to work during the
week. On weekdays, we will sit each evening from 6:00 until 9:00. On
Saturdays and Sundays, we will sit from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Lunch will
be taken orioki style on the weekend days, and there will be a small
fee to cover the cost of your meal. Although everyone is encouraged to
do as much of the retreat as possible, if you cannot attend the entire
time it is OK to come as much as you can.
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Shambhala Day-The Tibetan New Year
Sunday, Feb. 14; starts at 9:30 am
We
begin the celebration with a New Year's contemplation practice.
Afterward, we will enjoy a potluck brunch and cast our traditional
I-Ching for the coming year, then tune in to the International
Broadcast at noon.
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The Wisdom of a Broken Heart
Speaker: Susan Piver
Fee: No charge
Wednesday, Feb 24; 7:00-9:00 pm
Whether
your heart was broken yesterday or years ago, all the elements
are there to discover your innate spiritual warriorship. As we
talk, you will discover that the dark power of heartbreak can
introduce you to gentleness, fearlessness, and intelligence. If you
stay with your broken heart, it will surely lead you down the path
to wisdom. No charge.
Susan Piver is an authorized
meditation instructor in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, the New York
Times bestselling author of The Hard Questions, and
the award-winning How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life. She has been a student of Buddhism since 1995. Her next book, The Wisdom of a Broken Heart will be published by Simon & Schuster in January, 2010.
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Rousing Joy, The Discipline of Helping Others
Teacher: Mary Whetsell
Fee: $75 or pay what you are able
Wednesdays, Mar. 31; April 7, 14, 21 & 28; 7:00-9:00 pm
Registration will be available starting in January
Rousing Joy
expands the meditation experience by cultivating the noble-heart of the
mahayana teachings, opening the path to the virtue and celebration of
compassion. Through practical methods, we further develop kindness
toward ourselves and others. We emphasize the joy and invigoration that
comes from discipline-
the qualities of cheerfulness, health, and freedom from doubt.
Prerequisite: Contemplating Contentment. This is a Way of Shambhala class.
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Birthday Party Photos: Chris Verdi
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Inspiration
There are times to cultivate and create, when you nurture your world
and give birth to new ideas and ventures. There are times of
flourishing and abundance, when life feels in full bloom, energized and
expanding. And there are times of fruition, when things come to an end.
They have reached their climax and must be harvested before they begin
to fade. And finally of course, there are times that are cold, and
cutting and empty, times when the spring of new beginnings seems like a
distant dream. Those rhythms in life are natural events. They weave
into one another as day follows night, bringing, not messages of hope
and fear, but messages of how things are.
- Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
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Director's Message (cont.)
A big priority now is to further clarify what each cluster
does and generate a list of specific volunteer opportunities for each.People have wanted to know what they
can do to help, and it shall be made known!Look for a graphic representation of the Council structure
and a posting of how you can see and select ways you can contribute to the
operation of the Center - coming to a Center bulletin board in the near future!
The second very big project we are continuing to look
carefully at the need for a larger, better situated space for the Center.The Space Visioning Group leading this
project is proposing a short-term plan of relocating if a larger and
affordable place can be found where we can better meet immediate needs, while
we strengthen our base of members, teachers, and financial resources to work
toward a long-term goal of buying or building our own more permanent home where
we can better serve our members as well as be an influence in the Birmingham
community for many years to come.
Since the support of the community is essential for any
decision the Council makes about a major change in location, we are holding a
series of monthly Community Gatherings in early 2010 to educate ourselves and
come to an agreement on our path as a community. Each gathering will cover a different aspect of ownership,
operation and structure. We
strongly encourage you to attend the whole series and be involved in our
future.
I see our Shambhala Center as truly putting down strong
roots and blossoming.It is an
exciting time of growth which relies on the depth and breadth of the
involvement of the community.As
was noted in the recent Shambhala Level Two class, just showing up is what a
warrior does! I look forward to
serving with you for the next three years.
Marion Buckley Center Director
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