At my meeting last Thursday with my Brian Ruhe Show group I talked about getting back to where I discovered Buddhism 29 years ago at the Vancouver Shambhala Centre at 256 West 7th Ave, Vancouver, Canada. They have over 150 centres around the world and you can check them out at: https://shambhala.org/

I have gone several times in the past month and the teachings are very similar to the Theravada Buddhism I have been following. It has been very edifying for me and I plan to keep going regularly every week. I think I was too sectarian in my thinking in the past so I made a personal, plus a public apology to my former Tibetan Buddhist friends and to Mahayana Buddhism, in this video: Authenticity and Evolution of Buddhist Texts . Diane Chase made the hilarious thumbnail of me eating humble pie,  lol!

They have an open house every week and details are on their website at:

Home

Last Sunday I went and met their senior teacher at her talk and she’s a very good teacher and a wise woman. I plan to go this coming Sunday for this bi-weekly series, which you can also find at different centres around the world:

Every other Sunday

A Year of Deepening in Compassion — Part IV

Skillful Dragon: Lojong and Compassionate Engagement

Cost: BY DONATION

EVERYONE WELCOME

9:30-10:00 am  Meditation Instruction for new participants

9:30- noon       Meditation, live online talks, tea and discussion

The spiritual path does not lead to non-activity and withdrawing from the world. In the Shambhala tradition the master warrior is profoundly engaged.

We can rest in space, but don’t have to hold on to that experience ….

Rather, the increased relaxation and openness allows the warrior to manifest and respond in a way that is skillful and wise, because we are completely in touch with what is going on.

This course will explore the teachings on Lojong (famous mind-training slogans by Atisha) that invite us to utilize the difficulties and problems we encounter to deepen our path. Rather than seeing the unwanted aspects of life as obstacles, they can be viewed as the raw material necessary for awakening genuine uncontrived compassion, for ourselves and others.

October 20 – Awakening the Heart of Compassion: An Introduction to Lojong and the Four Reminders with Acharya Gaylon Ferguson

November 3 – Empty Heart: Absolute Bodhicitta Slogans with Acharya John Rockwell

November 17 – Relative Slogans Part I with Acharya Holly Gayley

December 1 – Relative Slogans Part II with Acharya Fleet Maull

December 15 – Bringing It into All Areas of Life with Acharya Susan Skjei

January 5 – Discussion Groups led by the Acharyas

January 19 – Summary of the Year with Acharya Susan Chapman

You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks.

Mega metta and Merry Christmas!

Brian