Community Participation
Our community needs your insights and, even more, your active
participation in order to thrive. Please take a look at the committee
descriptions below. If you have a particular interest, feel free
to contact the heads to find out when the next meeting will happen.
Needed: Shambhala Center Cleaning
Team Leader (or Co-leaders)
In Buddhist communities, “Cleaning the Temple” is
a traditional way to contribute to the overall well-being of the
Sangha, and creates great merit, which then can be dedicated to
the benefit of all beings. Of course, it also helps strengthen
the Sangha community and uplift the space. There is currently
a small team of volunteers, and with the current growing interest
in and attendance at Shambhala meditations, leading or joining
this team is a very good way for anyone to get involved.
Description:
- Assess cleaning needs (frequency that different
jobs need to be carried out, products and equipment that need
to be replaced or purchased, systems, etc.)
- Recruit and contact volunteer team members.
- Organize team volunteers for cleaning the
Shambhala Center rooms, halls and bathrooms; describe
and delegate work task.
If you're interested, please contact Donna Rushing at
rushingdl@gmail.com.
Hall And Shrine Uplift & Beautification
Committee
Committee Heads: Sandra Harper: sjh.bellingham@yahoo.com,
Jeanne Yeasting: jeymonde@gmail.com
Our task: To uplift our shrine rooms and practice space, and to
acquire various items needed to accomplish this (mostly, we hope,
through donations). Also, to keep track of suggestions from the
sangha as to what we need, and to prioritize those needs as best
we can. If you’re interested in joining this committee,
please contact Sandra or Jeanne by email (or talk to them during
tea break).
Dharma Art Committee
Committee heads: Rick Merrill (merrillrick@yahoo.com),
Sandra Harper (sjh.bellingham@yahoo.com)
The dignity and brilliance of the world speak for themselves.
Dharma art springs forth as an appreciation of this fact and as
a celebration of our capacity to be in this world fully and directly,
unencumbered by the pettiness and strategies of ego. Dharma art
is not about “making art”, “being artistic,”
or “being dharmic” in a conventional sense. Rather,
it reflects a state of mind that is curious, open, respectful
and playful. We work with the rawness of our perceptions, with
respect for our materials and our process and with an appreciation
of form and space, color and energy. Our activities include traditional
and contemporary art forms such as ikebana (flower arranging),
Kyudo (traditional archery), calligraphy, tai chi chuan, poetry,
dance, theater and music. We are open to explore how this inspiration
may expand into other arts and into the art of daily life as well.
Outreach Committee
Committee head: Greg Heffron (gheffron@midline.net)
This group looks at how Bellingham Shambhala can reach out to
the community around us and communicate who we are and what resources
we provide. It looks at the wisest methods of publicity and the
development of visual materials (posters, brochures, etc.). It
considers innovative ways to interact with community institutions
(such as WWU, Sustainable Connections, etc.). And it finds ways
to reach individuals in their lives and plant the dharmic seeds
of genuiness and unconditional openness that might cause them
to take an interest in learning to meditate.
Health and Well-being
Committee head: Jessica Chasnoff (jrchasnoff@yahoo.com)
This committee puts meditation in action by working closely with
individuals within the sangha who are in need and/or are asking
for support. Our approach involves a view toward each individual's
basic healthiness, and helping people with their basic needs so
that they can connect with their own intrinsic health; we aspire
to be available to sangha members in a way in which we honor their
basic goodness and sanity with gentleness, love, and a sense of
humor. Each member on the committee has a strong commitment to
work with their own personal challenges and maintains a fresh
mind when a sangha member presents a difficulty that he or she
may be experiencing. The cultivation of respect and upholding
of dignity is of utmost importance to this committee. We hope
that all members feel comfortable approaching us with any health
and well-being concerns.
Practice and Study Committee
Committee heads: Rick Merrill (merrillrick@yahoo.com),
Sandra Harper (sjh.bellingham@yahoo.com)
Our group is meant to be a resource and point of coordination
for study and practice programs within our Bellingham center.
This includes planning and scheduling Open Houses and ongoing
classes, daily meditation and longer, intensive programs.
To become involved: we will be offering a 2-hour
workshop soon (time/date TBA) to learn about being an umdze (time-keeper,
chant-leader), drummer, gate-keeper (for meditation sessions),
and shrine keeper. More people are needed for these positions!
You will learn the responsibilities and meaning of these important
roles and then be able to step into a role in which one immediately
feels connected to and contributing to the strength of our group
practice.
Meditation Instruction Committee
Committee head: Sandra Harper (sjh.bellingham@yahoo.com)
Mediation Instructors (MI) play an important role passing the
living transmission of the oral teachings of Shambhala Buddhism.
They are trained to teach and work with others toward being free
of fixed mind, relating with authentic presence to the basic goodness
of other human beings. This is the living lineage. MI's want to
introduce new students to meditation practice, to be available
as helpful guides encouraging meditation student's daily practice
and to be mentor's on the path. If you are a newer student on
the path of meditation, please take part in meditation workshop.
If you do not have an MI, please ask for one. Meet with him or
her regularly. This will be very helpful on your journey. |
