Council/Committees

The Shambhala Council is receiving quotes to get new lighting installed around the center, in hopes of dissuading homeless persons from living here. Click here to read more updates about the homeless situation. Other facilities upgrades and fixes are also being considered. A portion of the front steps cement needs to be repaired (update: repaired) and we are gathering quotes on the cost of replacing the stairway roof (update: is being repaired).

The Health and Well-Being Council continues meetings to discuss ways to support the Shambhala community. They have compiled two resources:

- Resource Handbook which includes information on Cancer Support, Domestic Violence, Elder Care, Mental Illness, etc.

- Death and Dying Handbook which includes sample memorial service information, the Shambhala International instructions, and information about sukhavatis.

These are both located for your use in the Center Coordinator/Kasung office.

Finances

The Shambhala Center has completed making back payments of 4% of our gross income to Shambhala International for 2007 & 2008 which was upwards of $10,000. We are very happy to be caught up and contributing to support the center of the mandala!

Community member Kathryn Canney, of Boston Shambhala Ikebana fame, is also a member of the Boston Minstrel Company. In light of a recent visit by Zen Peacemaker’s founder, Bernie Glassman and our community’s burgeoning involvement with the homeless community in Boston, Kathryn wanted to advertise this musical organization.

“A vibrant troupe of volunteer singers and musicians who have seen how music heals, the Boston Minstrel Company has produced musical programs for the homeless, elderly and imprisoned throughout the greater Boston metro area for over a decade. Their interactive pop, rock and folk events touch audiences of about 4,000 each year.” (see their website for more info)

Kathryn has been singing with them for nearly 5 years. She says: “We sing primarily for homeless shelters in and around Boston, and generally have one rehearsal one evening a month in Newton.” I know, from having spoken with her about the group, that it is not only a lovely social venue to meet like-minded Bostonians, but it is an opportunity to give joy back to people in need. As more and more people wake up to the suffering in the world, there is more of a call to engage. Singing is has been a direct way into people’s hearts since the beginning of human history, and according to Kathryn and the Boston Minstrels: “The Boston Minstrels need you for “making music with heart.”

Learn how to make a big difference in someone’s life while having a “rocking good time”! Contact them here. Join Kathryn at their next event: Shattuck Shelter, 170 Morton St., Jamaica Plain, at 6:30pm for a Songfest and BBQ.

the courage of grass

Grass, by Aarthi Tejuja

in the Rocky Mountains
on the edge of the prairie
you can see a thunderstorm approach
miles away it seems
though the heat of lightning
is as sharp and close
as the red ants beneath my feet

the thunder thrills
and our hearts race
like deer through the meadow

wild flowers shine bravely
before the storm
not knowing whether
this way it will come or pass by

the courage of grass
to dance and sway
singing its whispering song
melts this already broken heart

the strength of stone and mountain
to withstand the onslaught of storm after storm
reflects the true heart of the land

when sun hides behind those
dragon clouds
small blue flowers
drop their petals

~ by Sarah Lipton, from my recent experience at Shambhala Mountain Center where I just completed Warrior Assembly