The Phoenix Shambhala Meditation group started the Way of Shambhala classes yesterday with Meditation in Everyday Life under the direction of Kim Kelso. The 14 partcipants listened to Kim, Muffie Noble, and Frank Sebille give talks, participated in lively and interesting group discussion, and even worked in some sitting and walking meditation practice! It was a great start on these classes and the group is very fortunate to have these wonderful teachers in our membership. Thanks so much for all your work Kim, Muffie and Frank. The second part of this class will be held February 13th.

Today Muffie gave a wonderful talk on the Protector Principle and some background on the Mamo Chants and Shambhala Day. Mamo chants will be done on February 5, 7, 10 and 12 at the Center. Please go to the website at www.phoenix.shambhala.org for more info.

Our council also met today and when I got home I realized how really amazing these people I work with on the council are, and that thought extended to all the members and how amazing they are and further to the people who show up regularly for practice and classes. Just the idea that all these people are sharing the Shambhala Vision of creating an Enlightened Society here in Phoenix and that I am a part of that is something I am very, very grateful for. Look for more news about the council and upcoming programs soon.

Richard (Kunga Dawa) Arthure, who is coming to Phoenix to direct Great Eastern Sun, will present a public talk Friday evening, 10/16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Center. Kunga Dawa became a close student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1966. He was the first Westerner trained by the Vidyadhara as a meditation instructor and authorized by him to teach the Dharma. He traveled to India, Sikkim and Bhutan with Trungpa Rinpoche, was present with him at Tagtsang when the Sadhana of Mahamudra was revealed and co-created the English language version of it. Kunga Dawa was a co-founder of the Karme Choling Center in Vermont and has traveled and taught extensively in the US, Canada and Europe. He completed a three year retreat in northern New Mexico in 2003 and currently resides in Boulder, Colorado. He is the author of a book of poems, Bone Ornaments and Mirrors and a forthcoming book, Confusion into Wisdom.

Friday evening’s talk is entitled Meditation and the Essential Points of Practice. Beginning with the precision of basic mindfulness, we becomebetter able to transcend ego’s habitual pattern of striving to accomplish something, as we learn to relax in the simplicity of nowness. Progressively letting go of the watcher, we gradually unfold the complete openness of panoramicawareness. At the same time, we develop both relative and absolute bodhichitta as essential elements of the path.

This is a great opportunity for everyone - members and friends alike - to meet and listen to one of our wonderful Shambhala teachers. I really feel like you can connect to the practice and the teachings in a much more personal way when you are able to meet the teacher and have an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. I hope lots of people will attend. The talk is free although a $5 donation would be very appreciated.

I just got the October newsletter e-mailed to members and friends. If you didn’t receive one you can find it soon on the website, facebook and yahoo groups. One thing to be aware of is a special practice day October 10. Details will be out on that soon - we’ve been asked to participate in this by the Sakyong to help support his upcoming year-long retreat. Also, we’re having a council meeting Friday the 9th - if you have things you’d like us to discuss please let me know. Julie

The Phoenix Sangha had their first ever Arts Day event this past Sunday. Ana Bron put together a really great program. I believe we had 11 participants. Ana did a wonderful job of explaining why Shambhala Arts are important and how we can recognize art in our daily lives and use it to deepen our practice and connection to the world. More Arts Day projects are planned for the coming months - I look forward to them!

In the last couple of weeks we have had 3 new members join our Sangha and I would like to officially welcome all three of them. Donn Kessler, Josh Goddard and Steve Savicki - welcome to the Phoenix Shambhala Meditation Group! Please make a point to attend our community meeting May 24 to get to meet the other members! Julie Rayda, Coordinator

This morning we had our first ever Parinirvana Day observance for the Phoenix Shambhala Meditation Group. We started with the opening chants - I was late due to traffic on the 60 and so I walked in after it had begun - a bit inconvenient as I was bringing the schedule! After the chants and a short shamatha practice we shared a poem and then watched the video that the Shambhala Archives had sent us to commemorate the day. Another reading from the Heart of Warriorship was shared and then some of our members contributed memories. The Sadhana of Mahamudra followed that - it is only the second time I have practiced it and I really think we all should make it a priority - it was so uplifting. How can it be so amazingly appropriate to what is going on today? It is a bit intimidating. As are today’s problems. After the conclusion of the Sadhana a group of us went to lunch - it was a great celebration/observance. I encourage everyone to join in these practices as much as they can. It’s just unbelievable how inspiring it is.

To Members and Friends-

We have added some great items with Phoenix Shambhala written on them to our Cafe Press Store. A month ago I asked my cousin who is a young artist if she could draw a sketch for me with the Buddha and Shambhala Sun on it that I could make it into a shirt for myself. Well it came out so good I decided to share it with our center, take a look for yourself.

Anything you buy also makes a small donation to our Center!

http://www.cafepress.com/ShambhalaPHX

Joe F.

Well Phoenix Shambhala is going to have a blog. Not just locally but at my (our) choosing if we want something posted on the Shambhala Times site as well. We not only need me to Blog, blog, blog but for you all to blog and respond to the blog. So both the Blogger and the Bloggie (?) are important in this process.

Please stay tuned as we work out all the kinks and get this thing rolling!

Joe

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