Ongoing Events
| 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, May 30, June 27,
July 25, August 29
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;
June 12, July 10,
August 14
Ages 7-10
Meets monthly on
Sundays, 1:30-3 pm
June 13,
July 11,
August 15
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Spirituality and
Social Action
Dates:
Saturdays, May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7
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! Summer
topics include: "Are we living in Martin Luther King's America?" and
"The Birth of the Zipcar and the Future of Transportation."Check
website for meeting locations.
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Monthly
Book Group
Meets monthly on
Fridays,
7 - 8:30 pm;
May 14, June 11,
July
9, August 13
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.
_______________
Dharma
Film and
Pizza Night
Meets monthly
on Sat. evening at 6:30
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Director's
Message
Do you ever think about your relationship to
the Shambhala
Center? At the Community Gathering in March, we had a very moving and
illuminating discussion of membership: what it means to be a Member of
Shambhala, reasons people do or don't choose to become Members, the
value of
Members to the Center, and some thoughts about skillful ways to increase
our
membership.
Early on in the process of thinking about a new
space for
the Center, it became clear that the timing of a step toward a bigger
space and
continuing growth of services both to the people within the Center and
to the
Birmingham community is dependent on how solid and deep our roots are.
This includes having enough members and
enough teachers - more of both than we have now.
more...Marion Buckley
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|
 Volunteer Opportunities
Shambhala is a volunteer run
organization.
Volunteering
is a great way to get involved and benefit others. If you're interested
in volunteering for one of our ongoing positions, or would like to be
available for events or projects please contact Marion Buckley at
205-908-5405 or email at mfbuckley@bellsouth.net. We are currently in
need of volunteers to help with housekeeping and to lead the Friday
night book group.
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SIGN UP FOR NEXT WEEKEND'S PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS!
Details
|
 Beginning
Wed. July 28:
Buddhism
101
Teacher: Janet Bronstein
Fee: $15 per class or $40 per series
(or pay what you are
able)
Wednesdays,
July 28, August 4, and
August 18; 7:00-9:00 pm
From
an
external point of view, we can say Buddhism is one of the world's
great religions, or talk about it as a philosophy, a wisdom tradition,
a historical social movement or a science of the mind. But what does
the Buddhist tradition mean to a meditation practitioner?
more
|
 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.
|
 Ongoing
Relief Efforts by the
Surmang Team
By Lyndon Comstock, The Shambhala
TImes
The
situation in Jyekundo is rapidly evolving beyond the emergency relief
needed in the immediate wake of the disastrous earthquake. A more
long-term set of issues will soon emerge as to how the people of
Jyekundo, and of the surrounding region, will cope during the rebuilding
period, which will last for years.
more
|
Miksang Photography
Teachers:
Mary Beth McBride and Tom Anderson
Fee: $115.00
Register for
class
Miksang is a Tibetan word
for 'Good Eye', and is based on the
Dharma Art teachings of the late meditation master, artist, and scholar
Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche.
When we synchronize eye and mind,
we abandon all concepts and predispositions and become completely
present in the moment. The world becomes a magical display of vivid
perception. We can develop the ability to express these experiences
precisely through the practice of contemplative photography.
Bring
your digital camera, empty digital memory, and cables for downloading
pictures. Point and shoot cameras are fine.For more
information, call Marion Buckley at 205-908-5405 or
email at
mfbuckley@bellsouth.net
___________________________
Buddha Day
Celebration
Saturday, May 8; noon - 4:00 pm
Meet in Avondale park,
just behind the library
(no
registration required)
Join us for our fourth
annual celebration of our Center children, spend an afternoon outdoors,
and have some fun/food and play inspired by the Buddha's emphasis on
kindness and mutual appreciation.
___________________________
Midsummer Day Family Art and Barbeque
Saturday,
June 19; starts at 1:00
(no
registration required)
Midsummer Day is an
opportunity for families and friends of Shambhala to enjoy summer
together. We will have fun with contemplative flower arranging for
adults and children followed by a barbecue feast. Everyone is welcome to
join in!
___________________________
Level l Shambhala Training:
The Art of Being Human
Teacher:
Janet Bronstein
Fee: $108 or (or pay what you are able)
Fee includes lunch on Saturday
Saturday, June 5; 9:00 am until 6:00
pm
Sunday, June 6; 9:00 am until 1:00 pm
Register for
class
Living
as if each moment were fresh and new, renouncing warfare with both self
and other, feeling the strength of one's being and the tenderness of
one's heart - these are some of the hallmarks of being human. Although
these qualities are innately part of who we are, many people have found
it necessary to undertake a transformative journey to discover their
true nature. In Level 1 Shambhala Training, the Art of Being Human, we
discuss the nature of this journey and offer some tools that can help
anyone interested in touching the bedrock that lies underneath the
accumulated conditioning of our lives. For more information, call Marion
Buckley at 908-5405.
New
meditators are welcome. The program will consist of meditation
instruction and practice, talks by the director, discussion groups, and
individual interviews.
Level 1 Shambhala training is a prerequisite for
taking Levels 2-5. For those wanting to take the entire 5 level course,
this is a great opportunity to begin the program.
___________________________
Buddhism 101
Teacher: Janet Bronstein
Fee: $15
per class or $40 per series (or pay what you are able)
Wednesdays,
July 28, August 4, and August 18; 7:00-9:00 pm
The class will not
meet on August 11th.
Register for
class
From
an external point of view, we can say Buddhism is one of the world's
great religions, or talk about it as a philosophy, a wisdom tradition,
a historical social movement or a science of the mind. But what does
the Buddhist tradition mean to a meditation practitioner? This three
part class explores three core aspects of the tradition, known as "the
three jewels" - the Buddha, or awakened teacher, who is an example of
how meditation can transform our human life; the Dharma, or teachings
that help to guide us away from pointless mental suffering; and the
Sangha or community of people who have a personal commitment to such a
transformation.
Class 1: July 28,
7-9; The Life of the Buddha and the
meaning of Sangha
Class
2:
August 4, 7-9; The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma: The Four
Noble Truths; The Eightfold Path; what do we mean by egolessness; how
does karma work?
Class 3:
August 18, 7-9; The Second and Third Turning of the Wheel of
Dharma:
the Mahayana Dharma - emptiness and compassion; the Vajrayana Dharma -
Buddha nature, luminous wisdom; how does Shambhala Buddhism fit in to
all this?
___________________________
COMING the weekend of September
10-11:
Romantic Love,
Everyday Disappointment:
Meditation
& Relationships
Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown is
coming back to Birmingham for a new program open to everyone: Romantic
Love, Everyday Disappointment: Meditation and Relationships. We will
explore the romantic expectations of love relationships and how, through
meditation practice, we can work with the dynamics of masculine and
feminine, independence and intimacy. This weekend includes meditation
and is intended for individuals or couples interested in a mindful
Buddhist perspective on romance. Details will be
posted on the
website.
Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows with
Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown
Acharya
Judith Simmer-Brown will offer members of the Birmingham community an
opportunity to take Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows during her visit to
Birmingham in September. The Refuge Vow marks the decision to deepen
one's study of Dharma and practice of meditation by becoming a Buddhist.
This is an outward expression of a commitment one has already come to
feel to the Buddhist approach to wakefulness and openness. In this
ceremony one takes refuge in the Buddha as an example, in the Dharma as
the path of teachings, and in the Sangha as guide and companion. One
makes an offering, takes a vow to turn away from the habits and causes
of suffering, and receives a new Buddhist name. If you are interested in
exploring the possibility of taking refuge vows, please contact Janet
Bronstein. The Bodhisattva Vow marks the commitment to devote one's
activities toward helping others, along with one's self, to realize
liberation from suffering. This vow is taken only by those who have
already taken refuge vows. If you are interested in exploring the
possibility of taking Bodhisattva Vows, please contact Mary Whetsell.
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Photo GalleryScenes from Shambhala Day in February   
Level 3 Shambhala
Training
in March
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Inspiration
Each of us
in our own way can try to spread compassion into people's hearts.
Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the
human "brain" with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the
human "heart" with compassion. This is what the real role of religion
is.
- Dalai Lama
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Director's Message (cont.)
From the discussion at the Community
Gathering, we
recognized that basic education about the topic of membership is greatly
needed. The fact that there even
is such a thing as membership was new to some people. The
definition of Membership is uniform throughout Shambhala
International and may be found in a brochure in the Tea Room at the
Center:
Membership in Shambhala has three
aspects:
· A
connection to mindfulness-awareness meditation
practice.
· Donation of time and energy towards
community
activities,
based on your interests and availability (volunteering).
· Regular financial support, with the
amount based
on your ability
to contribute. There is no minimum donation expected, only a
regular commitment.
Above
and beyond this definition, we each bring many
personal associations to the idea of being a member of something - Am I
taking
on some identity associated with the organization? Am I making a
permanent
commitment? I don't think I'll be
a good enough member (attend as many classes as I "should," volunteer as
much
time as some other people do, give "enough" money). You
name it! We
need to be clear about how these personal reactions shape our actions. A
related issue is the misconception that one has to become
a Buddhist to be a member of Shambhala.
Actually, an important value in Shambhala is creating a
supportive
environment for everyone on any spiritual path who aspires to "waking
up" and
helping others to do so. The
Shambhala teachings, including meditation, are based on principles in
Buddhism,
but are relevant and applicable toall other wisdom traditions. Almost
no one was aware that another relationship you can
have to Shambhala is to be a Friend.
Our brochure defines Friends as "People who support the Center
financially and/or through donating their time, but who have not chosen
to
become Members." The Center values its Members and Friends
everything that
happens here is done by volunteers, and every dollar we have comes
through the
generosity of people coming in our door.
We are going to need more of both to be able to grow into a new
space
and provide the services we would like.
What is valuable to Members about the relationship? At
the Community Gathering, people
talked about both what they get and what they give as Members: a
community of
meditators, of like-minded people who know your name and welcome you,
the
richness of learning and practicing meditation in a group situation, the
preciousness of the teachings, and the opportunity to invest time and
money in
something worthwhile so it will be there for others. Do
you have questions?
(all questions welcome!)
Janet Bronstein is our Membership Coordinator (janetmbronstein@gmail.com). I'm also very happy to talk with
you(mfbuckley@bellsouth.net). Marion
Buckley Center Director
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