Barbara Bash has kindly provided the above "Mandala" and following notes as the "Harvest" from the Open Space / Meeting Of All Committees meeting last Sunday at Skylake Lodge Shambhala Medition Center. Hopefully Barbara will herself be able to post here soon - we are just having some "techie" issues setting her up as a blog author.
August 9, 2009 Sky Lake Lodge
Harvest of open space sessions -
Harvest of open space sessions -
1. How do we face outward & manifest to the world?
What does this mean? Importance of well being of newcomers . Needing to exemplify our trust in basic goodness.
Public sitting - support for umdze – need for another person to meet & greet. Time perhaps to offer once a month open house explicitly for new people ?
Outgoing and genuine manifestation to all.
Going out beyond Sky Lake – offering meditation practice in schools, youth centers.
The Arts Council could be a strong vehicle to bring in different groups of people.
We have matured enough to go outside the safety zone of the center – ready for a wider expression.
2. What would make Sky Lake really good? What would help us thrive - not just survive?
Practice. How to offer further opportunities for people who have gone through the ST levels.
Vigorous & diverse practice would make more practice & generate merit.
Three broad thoughts on this –
1. New curriculum, now in process, as continuity for people at all different stages on the path.
2.. More intensive days of practice , parinirvana, ngondro, Milarepa Day, Windhorse etc., once a month?
3. An annual big gathering event.. like KC’s ”Coming Home”
Diverse and vigorous practice is the key!
3. How do we at SL benefit the most people while maintaining the joy and integrity of the local community?
Leaning into difficulty leads to joy, within context of local community & spreading out from there.
Remembering to do what we want to be doing – not operating out of resentment.
Rinpoche’s teachings are our deep and profound ground – how much benefit that has radiated.
Sitting practice is the backbone of all of it.
Perhaps there is no conflict.
Cast a wide net - benefiting us and our local community.
We experience joy when we forget ourselves.
Technology can support the communication between us. Formats for ways to put out minutes of committee reports, sharing information, could include community news . This is low cost and easily available.
4. How can SL serve the underserved?
Possible ideas - free talks at libraries, other centers, LGTBQ, etc.
Creating a scholarship fund for those who can’t afford classes, build up this fund through earmarking donation for scholarship.
Providing transportation help to get to SL.
The flea market and plant sale was an example of bringing our presence out to community
Joining in (and supporting each other ) in established activities -
work in soup kitchen
volunteer corps
Approach Family of Woodstock - this is what we do, would this be helpful? How would we do this – fitting for each audience and clientele
Cross fertilization - do dharma talk at Art Society of Kingston.
5. How do we magnetize and make SL inviting to others to create a buzz and attract the rich & famous ?
The uplifting of the teacher’s suite in preparation for Lady Diana’s visit was a good example of this.
What does it mean to magnetize? Do we really want these spoiled wealthy people ? Don’t put them off - offer flowers !
What can we do to the physical space to open out and magnetize? What if the office was moved upstairs to the front porch space ? This would create a more inviting and welcoming presence of greeting – visibility of a person when you arrive. This could link better with work/study and disability access – entrance on upper level – widen path. Change the “nobody’s home” SL face. Bring Deirdre and Patrice UP !
Audacity of vision - Shambhala Mt. Center is a good example - no money? no problem. Go ahead and prepare a celebratory space - rich view - visual clarity - simplicity.
6. If we had unlimited resources what improvements would we make to the SL facility?
Big vision – separate new building for staff and director – offices and living space. .
Or - whole new shrine room – current Sky Lake building becomes only administrative.
Living wages for director & staff
Larger space for larger programs. Invite Pema and Rinpoches (200 people). Create platform for large tent for these larger summer programs
Build summer bathhouse for campers and crowds.
Build retreat cabins (need retreat master)
Need director - looping back to this over and over !
Any expansion would include “green” geothermal, energy efficient,
Present possibilities: office on front deck for entrance space change, replace all windows for heat efficiency, new washers & dryers for energy efficiency, kitchen fan upgrade: unbearably hot in summer.
Bring in Eva Wong for feng shui of offices/entranceway.
Resident senior teacher presence – to provide income and view.
Build a stupa !
7. How could Health & Healing expand its offering at Sky Lake ?
Provide support for people in their lives on a very practical level - food, medicine, counseling, etc.
Create more yoga and body work presence at SL.
Start a health and healing group to share ideas
Bring in speakers
All of this will add to the health and vibrancy SL, and will extend out and benefit the broader community.
8. How can we raise more windhorse ?
Do more lhasangs – seasonal events
Harvest of Peace – open to the public?
“Windhorse” is an enlivening word.
This is all about invoking magic and renewing our intention together.
Have more celebrations - music, drum circles. This will invigorate all of us and this world.
Bring in teachers who generate windhorse – Buddhist and Native American teachers; round dances, circle dances, shamanic dances, Gesar dances (Sakyang Wangmo).
The Arts Council can be involved in this - energizing ourselves and inviting others into the magic.
Do lhasangs on upper level – as well as inside – when ? where?
Is there restricted participation or can we just open up to it all ?
