New York City’s Interdependence Project is bringing new meaning to the idea of mixing meditation and everyday life!

To learn more about the great work of the Interdependence Project, visit http://www.theidproject.org/.

The images in this post were captured by Kootenay Shambhala members on recent travels. Each image says something about appreciating―even celebrating―the richness of the world as it is. Accompanying text is minimal; the photos speak for themselves. More photos may be added as they become available. Thanks to all contributors for offering their work.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge them.

In this six-minute Shambhala Sun Audio clip, Wired magazine writer Steve Silberman speaks about the increasing power and reach of the Internet, and the challenge of bringing mindfulness to our online activity.

To listen to the clip, click here.

This year’s “Year in Review” video features footage from the Rinchen Terdzo, the Fourth Shambhala Congress, and the Tenshuk Ceremony, plus interviews with the Ashe Acharya John Rockwell about the opening of the Scorpion Seal and Jennifer Holder about the launch of the Shambhala Times.

To watch the video, click here.

In his Shambhala Day address this year, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche delivered a potent teaching on manifesting love and kindness.

“At this particular time, it is love that is the message. We don’t need to give into hate, but rather we should have the power and maturity to express our love. I believe that this maturity to express love and kindness is what will save our mind and will save our planet. Love is believing in our basic goodness.”

To listen to an audio recording of the address, click here.

One of the wonderful surprises at our Shambhlala Day celebration yesterday was a message and video greeting from Kootenay Shambhala Centre Director Lynn Dragone, who is about six months into a nine-month stay at Gampo Abbey.

The images below, featuring Changchup Garma (as Lynn is known at the Abbey), were selected from the video. Lynn’s message follows.

Dear Precious Sangha,

A glorious and peaceful Shambhala Day to all of you! Greetings from the vast expanse of Gampo Abbey on the cliffs of Cape Breton Island. The ice has come and filled the horizon, and a huge moose galloped across the snow early this morning. We just completed our closing ceremony for Yarne, the seven-week winter retreat yesterday.

It has been a satisfying time to practice diligently and celebrate with immense joy and tenderness for this path so well established by the practice lineage. Ani Pema [Chödrön] is keeping me out of trouble here, as her dedication to awakened heart knows no bounds.

A highlight of Shambhala Day (besides our trip to the hotsprings) has always been recognizing the worldwide sangha we are a part of. In this spirit I am happy to celebrate with practitioners from the breadth of the globe. We send you all heartfelt greetings this year from the extended family at the Abbey that I am a part of this year.

I’m learning a lot about living in a community at close range. As it turns out, it seems that our imperfections are the perfect path to reflect what we most need to learn. So we don’t have to worry, we all have something to offer! I miss all of you perfectly imperfect people. I am so grateful to have been nourished by the sanity of the Kootenay sangha.

There is too much to share now so I’ll wait until I come home and have a feast of relating then. The Yarne guests are leaving on Monday and we are having threeee―count ‘em: THREE―days off when we have to break the boundaries of the retreat. I haven’t been outside the boundaries for 4-1/2 months so I think it’s time. I’ll try to go to the little town nearby to have a donut or something.

On Thursday we will begin a self-designed silent retreat for seven days. This turns out to be a very spacious ‘cooker’ and I should be quite well done when I return in June.

I’ll say goodbye for now… May you all experience deep happiness… Yes! Enjoy your LIFE! in whatever way that expresses itself for you.

With deep appreciation and joy,

Changchup Garma / Lynn

These two short videos, posted on YouTube just a few days ago, offer an exceptionally eloquent teaching on coming to our senses, manifesting peace and harmony, and celebrating each moment of everyday life.

Thank you to all involved in creating this wonderful gift!

Her Eminence Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche discusses Buddhism in the West, mandala principle, leadership training and more in a 45-minute interview with senior Shambhala teacher Helen Berliner recorded for Chronicles Radio on October 15th, 2009.

Listen to the interview at Chronicles Radio: Let Loose.

Acharya Adam Lobel gives a brief dzogchen (literally, “great perfection”) meditation instruction.

What do you make of this?

In this two-minute excerpt from a talk on Shambhala’s new core curriculum―the “Way of Shambhala”―recorded at the Akron/Canton Shambhala Center (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) on October 13th, 2009, Acharya Adam Lobel speaks about the possibility of living our human life fully.

To view more of this talk, click here.