A growing group of Boston Shambhala community members and friends have been venturing out together to the Haley House Soup Kitchen in downtown Boston once a month to help feed 30 - 50 people healthy, nutritious food. This is part of our new outreach program. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Gary Schapiro (garyischapiro {at} aol.com). If you are interested in donating a contribution to help fund the purchase of the food, please look for the donation box at the Shambhala Center when you next come to practice.

For those interested in learning even more about the Engaged Buddhism movement, the Zen Peacemakers Organization, founded by Bernie Glassman, is going to host the first ever Symposium for Western Socially Engaged Buddhism.

Have other thoughts or ideas about how we can turn the flower outwards and wake up kindness in Boston? Feel free to comment below or contact us at info@shambhalaboston.org.

by guest writer Harry Farmer

In our effort to “turn the flower outward” and push the Boston Shambhala Center’s envelope beyond its present limits, Shambhala members interested in reaching out to the greater Boston community are dedicating their merit to the poor and homeless of Boston. As a group, our collaboration with Haley House is an initial step towards sharing our practice, exertion and heart with other fellow Bostonians who may not otherwise have the opportunity to receive it. Putting other people before ourselves is a powerful way to cultivate compassion and attract blessings.

The power of meditation practice mixed with organized group service for others in need is a potent catalyst towards creating an enlightened society.

Haley House is a progressive non-profit founded in 1966 in Boston’s South End, dedicated to feeding, housing, providing job training and uplifting the spirits of the poor, homeless and in general those needing a helping hand.

On Sunday, May 2nd, we started our monthly volunteer meal preparation at the Haley House around 1:15 PM. Everything worked perfectly this first time. The Haley House has been doing this for years with many different volunteer groups from different sources. Our group has the added contribution to the Haley House of sharing the Buddhist mindset of meditation and service that is the primary environment of the Haley House.

It was very rewarding and enjoyable.

About eight of us met after Nyinthun at the Shambhala Center and car pooled to the Haley House in the South End of Boston. We met Kathe McKenna, one of the original founders of Haley House dating from approximately 1970. She led a guided meditation of the volunteers for approximately 1/2 hour on loving kindness and compassion. After that we jumped into preparing the food which was sitting in plastic bags on the kitchen counters precooked. It was a mix of steak and chicken and vegetables.

By 2PM the recipients started drifting in. It turns out they are fairly regular; and to our pleasant surprise they were welcoming us more than the reverse. Sunday afternoons are reserved for men and women over 55.

In short, the afternoon was beneficial in two ways; it seemed that we received more that we gave.
Frequently two way benefits occur when unconditional giving is involved; but it is always a surprise.

Wednesday May 12th: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Featuring Guest Speaker: Ms. Kathe McKenna Co-founder and director of Haley House. www.haleyhouse.org

Haley House is a progressive non-profit founded in 1966 in Boston’s South End, dedicated to feeding, housing, providing job training and uplifting the spirits of the poor, homeless and in general those needing a helping hand.

In our effort to “turn the flower outward” and push the Boston Shambhala Center’s envelope beyond its present limits, Shambhala members interested in reaching out to the greater Boston community are dedicating their merit to the poor and homeless of Boston. As a group, our collaboration with Haley House is an initial step towards sharing our practice, exertion and heart with other fellow Bostonians who may not otherwise have the opportunity to receive it. Putting other people before ourselves is a powerful way to cultivate compassion and attract blessings.

The power of meditation practice mixed with organized group service for others in need is a potent catalyst towards creating an enlightened society.

After Ms. McKenna’s presentation, we will briefly explore other possible venues in which the Boston Shambhala community could reach out, such as AA meetings, hospice, teaching meditation in school systems, formal teaching in Unitarian churches, colleges and much more.

Please join us in celebrating the richness of our lives and in sharing that richness with everyone without exception!

Click Here to Register

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.

From Acharya Emily Bower:

To the Boston Shambhala Community:

“A group of community members met on Sunday, March 8, to discuss the questions arising from the presence of homeless people staying around our building. Mostly, we felt saddened and deeply moved by the situation. We found that facing homelessness so intimately brings up feelings of groundlessness and hopelessness because we know the problem is pervasive and it’s not going away. We felt that the presence of homeless people around our building presents an opportunity to enter into the situation and relate with it directly.”

Please visit the Director’s Blog to read the full report including

-WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON
-WHAT SHOULD WE DO
-WHAT CAN WE DO TO RELATE TO THE LARGER ISSUE?
-WEEKLY PRACTICE SESSION
-WAYS TO VOLUNTEER (Includes document from Mary C.)
-WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
-DO YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED?