The paradox of inspiration: expectations, disappointment, and the completeness of a nyinthun
By Lindsey Ibanez I was inspired to offer a nyinthun at our center after we held our first-ever Sit-A-Thon to raise funds for our new building. The Sit-A-Thon had required months of planning and the efforts of dozens of people, as we kept the center open for 48 hours straight. For me, the opportunity to practice … Continue
Hosting as an Art: Deepening Practice through Meditation
On October 26 – 28, SMCC co-hosted weekend of meditation with the Art of Hosting and ALIA communities. Shambhala is an ancient tradition based on a very straight-forward logic: on the ground of basic goodness, a path of meditation leads to the realization of enlightened society. In modern-day western culture it is best known as … Continue
Meditation in Everyday Life at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank
The SMCC course, Meditation in Everyday Life was offered from September 10th to October 8th on Monday nights. Because the number of participants exceeded the group size we can comfortably fit at our center, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank generously offered us the use of 40 cushions in a large room on the first floor of their … Continue
Enlightened Society Assembly Study Group
Our new dekyong has coordinated a group study that meets once per month in the homes of those participating. On this particular night, Chaos licked our faces during practice and was welcomed by Susan into our circle. The purpose of the group is to informally study and discuss the dharma for immediate or eventual enrollment … Continue
Rusungs reunite in Columbus
Akron Rusung, Becca Weiner, and New York City Rusung, Ian Bascetta, welcome Columbus Rusung, Gregory Gilkerson, to canvas in Groveport, OH.
Autumn Yard Sale
The Shambhala Meditation Center of Columbus held an autumn yard sale and bake sale at the Chase Road building on Saturday, October 20, 2012. After a deluge in the early morning, the day cleared to bring beautiful sunshine and the possibility of an outdoor sale. It was a delightful experience to spend time meeting our … Continue
Sacred Sand Mandala by the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery
This morning about ten members/friends of SMCC attended the Universal Light Expo as the Veteran’s Memorial Center in Columbus, Ohio to watch the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery create a sacred sand mandala and practice shamatha together.
2012 Drala Region Encampment
I just returned from my first encampment that SMCC Rusung, L.Cpl. Gregory Gilkerson, helped coordinate in the mountains of North Carolina. The encampment was held on thirty-five acres of beautiful land adjacent to Chimney Rock State Park and could be reached by only by trails through the woods over mountains. It is perfectly named “Drala … Continue
Shambhala Training Level I, The Art of Being Human
Through the practice of meditation, we begin to glimpse that goodness—rather than confusion—is the unconditional ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings. (Thanks to all who joined, taught, staffed, supported and inspired Level I – what a beautiful group … Continue
Super Sangha
Our sangha members, Celia and Albert, had finished their race, the Cat Caper 5K, which was a fund raiser for Cat Welfare of Ohio on Sunday Sept 30th. Located a few blocks from SMCC, Cat Welfare provides food, housing, and healthcare for homeless kitties. At any time, there are ~200 pointy-eared sentient beings there in … Continue
