Berkeley Shambhala Signs a Five-Year Lease
After several months of negotiations with our landlords, the International Order of Odd Fellows Berkeley Lodge #270, Berkeley Shambhala has signed a five-year lease. Since the mid-1990s our rental situation has been month-to-month. During that time, our rent slipped far below market value, to the point that in 2015 we were paying about 20% of … Continue
State of the Center: Funding a Director of Social Engagement
Cheerful Autumn! On September 20th Shambhala centers around the world gathered for Harvest of Peace, our annual celebration of autumn. Locally we also marked forty years at 2288 Fulton Street. The day included the Shambhala Sadhana, an oath ceremony for our new Treasurer, Scott Tracy, an update on Center finances, a talk by the Sakyong, … Continue
Going Beyond Denial
By Shastri Charlene Leung. This article originally appeared in Shambhala Times on July 3rd. FACING REALITY: BEGINNING CONVERSATIONS As the Chairperson of the Diversity Working Group for Shambhala International, I am familiar with our collective avoidance of challenging topics like racism and oppression. And, … Continue
Shambhala Day Panorama
Dear Berkeley Shambhala Community, It was a real pleasure to gather with you all over the long Shambhala Day Weekend: Thursday morning at the Center, Thursday evening at our delek gatherings, and Saturday evening at the grand Shambhala Ball. Many thanks to the more than thirty people who made all of these events a success! … Continue
Introducing “Ashe Cafe”: Joining Work and Practice
Just another ordinary Tuesday afternoon at the Berkeley Shambhala Center: quiet, spacious, and a little dull. Core staff going about their business, a breeze blowing through the Community Room, and one person had stopped in to see if we had a dharma book for sale. Add to that a seemingly endless inbox to empty, flyers … Continue
The Practice of Community
In Shambhala, we have recently begun to describe membership as the “practice of community.” As Director of the Berkeley Shambhala Center, I’ve been giving this phrase a lot of thought. At first it sounds quite pleasant; as though, “yes, please, sign me up for that.” But then questions arise. What makes a group of people … Continue
