This is the fifth in a series of Kootenay Shambhala member interviews conducted by Bobbie Ogletree to explore the notion of “creating enlightened society,” a central theme of Shambhala, and celebrate our community’s diversity. Click here for all member interviews.

LYNN DRAGONE is a longtime Nelson resident, a movement educator, and the Kootenay Shambhala Centre’s current Director. She is employed as a caregiver.

Lynn Dragone at Gampo Abbey

Bobbie Ogletree: You recently returned from Gampo Abbey. How long were you there?

Lynn Dragone: Nine months. Three months as a lay person plus six months as a monastic.

What motivated you to leave here and go there?

I was looking for a strong practice environment. I had kind of scouted that out by doing different programs at Shambhala Mountain Center, Karme Choling, and Dechen Choling in France. I felt like the big land centres have so many programs with a lot of people coming and going. You work more like an eight-hour day. You do have practice at different hours, like I am used to at home. At Gampo Abbey, the workday is four hours and there are at least four hours of practice a day, usually five or six.

Did being at Gampo Abbey meet your expectations?

It did. It was exactly what I wanted. I had a curiosity, though, about monasticism as a way of life, and I found that it is not for me. Our lineage is the only one that offers a temporary experience of monasticism. It is a great thing to do for a period of time. It’s really good practice to be in a strong environment with 30 people where you are faced with what kind of world you are creating, noticing and working with that and being dedicated to that. It matches up with the Shambhala vision.

Did you have periods of silence and interaction with community members?

Yes, from 7:30 pm until 12:30 the next day, we were in silence. 12:30 is lunch time and lunch is the main meal. It is a social time. The work period follows. During this period, we are also encouraged to be silent. The silence helped us examine what makes speech mindful. We brought the social atmosphere to awareness. Some people were bothered by small talk, but others felt it is part of human nature. The social atmosphere provoked different things in different people.

What kind of hindrances arose from doing so much practice and being in community?

The first week I was there, I noticed the people I didn’t like. I decided right away to move towards them because I was there to examine this kind of thing. They didn’t become people I loved, but I noticed taking responsibility for my attitudes, for my thoughts was the theme of being there. Doing so really helped me change my attitude towards parts of myself that I don’t like. It helped me be more accepting. Sometimes I could feel the karma burning (laughs). There were cycles of opening to difficult stuff, clearing, feeling new growth, and again the experiencing of difficult stuff.

Did anything there really surprise you?

Sometimes it was my reaction to communication from the outside. It could really provoke me. I went through a period of time where I couldn’t have this communication. I needed to rest in the immediate space. I felt it was the gift of being there to allow myself that luxury. In nine months, I only went to town two afternoons.

Was re-entry difficult?

No, not at all. I had planned to visit ten households before I came home. I thought it could be overwhelming. It was fine, but I had to work with noticing what I was anticipating. I didn’t want to be a hothouse flower. That is what I felt vigilant about in relation to monasticism. I want the practice to encourage the Shambhala vision of more turning to the world, more openness, more flexibility.

Have you noticed anything different about the Centre or do you feel a sense of continuity?

Summer is a quiet time. I just feel very happy to be back here. I love the sangha so much. I feel its preciousness. I think I had to reconnect with what it means to be going back as Director with a renewed sense of what I have to offer as who I am.

Click here for all member interviews

This is the fourth in a series of Kootenay Shambhala member interviews conducted by Bobbie Ogletree to explore the notion of “creating enlightened society,” a central theme of Shambhala, and celebrate our community’s diversity.

STEVE CAUTHERS describes himself as “a semi-retired postal worker, father, husband, and aspiring meditator.”

Steve Cauthers

Steve Cauthers: Six years ago.

Did you have other practices or another path before you became involved with Shambhala?

In my early twenties, I was having a rough go of it emotionally, and I was abusing drugs and alcohol. So, I went to AA and learned about a higher power. I hadn’t been raised with any religion and I investigated this idea on my own. I became involved with prayer and I prayed on a daily basis for about twenty-three years.

What attracted you to the Shambhala Centre?

There was a man at work who went to the Centre. I was attracted to his centered energy. I was coming out of a divorce and my mind was very discursive. I really like to read, but my mind was so discursive that I couldn’t concentrate on reading. I also thought that I wasn’t getting enough out of prayer and that I needed a shift.

How has the Shambhala practice helped you?

I am a fairly anxious type of person and the practice has helped in this area. I can still be quite anxious, but the practice has reduced the level of the anxiety, if only a little at times.

What kinds of hindrances do you experience in your practice?

I tend to be very busy in my life. I wake up very early, go to work, stop off at home, get on the computer etc. I sometimes really fill up my life so that I feel I don’t have enough time to practice. Another obstacle I experience is maitri/self-love. I sometimes have trouble being gentle with myself. But the practice has increased my ability to do that. So that is also a benefit of the practice.

Do you practice regularly?

Kind of semi-regularly. I have a shrine set up, and I will go a few weeks practicing for an hour daily. I feel the positive effects of this quickly. But then I let the practice go for awhile and that can make it hard to resume it. I do try to remember to bring my practice into my day even if I am not sitting.

How do you apply your practice to living the Shambhala vision in our seemingly chaotic world?

I see people’s pain and suffering; I see their anger and their lashing out. I can be affected by this. However, more and more I can see where they are coming from. The practice has helped me develop more empathy. My outlook is that we are all on the planet together.

What is an aspect of your Shambhala vision?

I see Shambhala as a place where everyone opens doors for each other.

We recently clarified and formalized our Scholarship Fund policy, and now we’re publicizing it.

The Fund offers support to Kootenay Shambhala members who need financial assistance to attend key Shambhala programs outside of the Nelson area.

Learn about eligibility requirements and the rest on our Scholarship Fund page.

You can learn about other membership privileges on our Membership page.

Click here for all member interviews

This is the third in a series of Kootenay Shambhala member interviews conducted by Bobbie Ogletree to explore the notion of “creating enlightened society,” a central theme of Shambhala, and celebrate our community’s diversity.

JIM NORTHCOTE, a retired wilderness outfitter, enjoys living in Nelson and serving the world however he can.

Jim Northcote

Jim Northcote: About 15 years.

How long have you been a member of the Kootenay Shambhala community?

About 13 years.

What initially drew you to explore Shambhala Buddhism?

Suffering―I had a history of depression. During that time of my life, I learned from books on Christian mysticism and cognitive behavioral psychology how much my thoughts could influence my sense of well-being. A little later I visited the Shambhala Centre and discovered Pema Chödrön’s books and audio/video recordings. Pema helped me understand what it meant to befriend my experience. She helped me make a deep shift in my worldview. She’s one of my heroes.

You have been a member of the Shambhala community for a long time. What have been some of the major changes in the community since you joined it?

One thing is the number of people involved. In the first course I attended, there were just two students. I don’t think there was much publicity beyond word of mouth at the time. To me, the Shambhala Centre feels a lot more vibrant now and members have more interest in interacting with the greater community. I’d say this has to do with dissolving a false dichotomy between “us” and “them.”

What aspect of the Kootenay Shambhala Centre currently inspires you?

The benefits of the view, practice, and community I observe in myself and others. Nothing special really―just a calling to be fully human.

Could you describe something that keeps your practice invigorated?

I’m aware of the world’s immense suffering, and it touches me deeply. I want to use my life to do what I can to help. My practice on and off the cushion is the best way I know to do this.

The world seems to be getting increasingly more chaotic. How do you reconcile this chaos with your view of creating enlightened society?

Everything depends on one’s point of view. From one viewpoint, the world appears to be getting increasingly chaotic and problematic. From another, the world is worthy of respect and appreciation as it is―chaos and all. I see the latter as the basis for a genuinely kind society.

Click here for all member interviews

This is the second in a series of Kootenay Shambhala member interviews conducted by Bobbie Ogletree to explore the notion of “creating enlightened society,” a central theme of Shambhala, and celebrate our community’s diversity.

Click on the images below to enlarge them.

Bobbie Ogletree: How long have you been practicing Shambhala Buddhism and how long have you been a member of the Kootenay Shambhala Centre?

Maria Stella: I have been practicing for 10 years and became a member of the Kootenay Shambhala Centre in June 2009.

What inspires you at the Kootenay Shambhala Centre?

Being part of Shambhala Training weekends. It really inspires me to see people go through the levels and open up over time, to see them experience the teachings, not only at the Kootenay Shambhala Centre, but also in other Centres.

How do you think this can be enhanced at the Centre?

By being aware of how much volunteers can help. It is not just about how many volunteers there are at Shambhala training levels. It is their presence; the presence of the volunteers and their sharing the meditation space always helps creating openness.

What is one way in which you apply your vision of enlightened society to your work, your family, or a significant relationship?

One way I do this is by watching myself at home to see where I open up or shut down and how to work with all of the situations that occur.

How does the practice help you do this?

The practice is a way of putting a spotlight on whatever state I am in by slowing down and observing and by being with whatever is.

How do you maintain your vision of enlightened society in the midst of our chaotic world?

By slowing down, being mindful and practicing. If I do that, I can recognize how much the energy can change in a positive way. It has a ripple effect.

This is the first in a series of Kootenay Shambhala member interviews conducted by Bobbie Ogletree to explore the notion of “creating enlightened society,” a central theme of Shambhala, and celebrate our community’s diversity.

JILL KELLY enjoys coordinating Shambhala Training programs, life coaching, and homeschooling her children. She is the Kootenay Shambhala Centre’s Membership Coordinator.

Jill Kelly

Bobbie Ogletree: How long have you been practicing Shambhala Buddhism and how long have you been a member of the Kootenay Shambhala Centre?

Jill Kelly: I did [Shambhala Training] Level I in 1998, but took a break. I started getting really involved in 2002 and I started going to the Centre more regularly. I became a member in 2005/2006.

What inspires you at the Kootenay Shambhala Centre?

The community, definitely the community. Having that kind of basic ground of similar views gives me a feeling of confidence. I am referring to the view of taking responsibility for ourselves and how we are in our world. Also, the view of sacred world and each moment being valuable is inspiring.

Is there a way that this can be enhanced?

I could go more often to the Centre, not because of me personally, but because I think it is the members being present there which brings out the Centre’s amazing qualities!

Is there an aspect of the Centre that you think could be improved?

It would be helpful if the Centre could improve access for people with disabilities. The stairs are a hindrance for people in wheelchairs, those who have trouble walking, etc…. I experienced this when I had my knee surgery last winter.

What is one way in which you apply your vision of enlightened society to your work, your family, or a significant relationship?

My work, family, and significant relationship are all in my home. I placed the shrine room in the centre of my home as a visual reminder of sacred world and the practice. It can be difficult to remember innate dignity. I try to be aware of this innate dignity in everything.

How do you maintain your vision of enlightened society in the midst of our chaotic world?

By sitting. It’s a reminder when I sit. It connects me to the present moment and makes me feel that it is all workable. Being aware of one breath and the next reminds me to take one step after another. Also, I believe that the chaos is part of the sacred world. The messiness of it all is okay.

Click here for all member interviews

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

Kootenay Shambhala Centre members can keep track of the Centre’s administrative developments by reading the meeting minutes posted on the Meeting Minutes & Notes page in the Members Area on our website.

For the login information, contact Jim Northcote at info@nelsonbuddha.com.

Shambhala Congress 2009, themed “exploring community,” is scheduled to take place in Halifax from November 9th to 11th, and you can play a part.

The Shambhala Congress is the principal mandala-wide gathering for discussion and consultation on matters of concern to the mandala as a whole. Discussions held at previous Congresses have played a major role in guiding the forward movement of the worldwide Shambhala community.

One way you can help shape the Kootenay Shambhala Centre’s participation in this gathering (and simultaneously help shape our Centre’s future) is by sharing your thoughts and feelings―about community, about your concerns, about anything―in the comments section below.

What matters to you??!!

The Shambhala Database (SDB) is a shared, online, secure membership database for use by the entire Shambhala community.

The “Member’s View” of the SDB allows members to review and update their own profiles, to look up fellow members, and also to set privacy settings so that only the information they want visible to other members is visible.

Click on the thumbnail below to access the SDB.

Shambhala Database login

For more information or assistance, contact Jim Northcote at info@nelsonbuddha.com.