violetlotus (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} violetlotus) wrote in ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} shambhalasangha,@ 2007-09-20 15:38:00 |
|
hello
I am not sure if anyone is watching this community anymore, but here goes...
After at least two years of thinking that I will "someday" be ready to investigate it, I finally went to the Austin Shambhala Center last night, for meditation instruction and conversations about Buddhism. It was exactly what I hoped it would be, and I am looking forward to doing it again next Wednesday.
Is anyone else here active in a local sangha? This is the first time I have attempted to be part of a spiritual community since I gave up Catholicism in high school, then a brief attempt at Protestantism in college. I have felt so jaded and concerned that my very personal experience won't fit in with others in a community. But so far, the Shambhala center seems to be a good home for me.
Here's my introduction:
I live in Austin, Texas (USA) and have lived in Austin for 17 years now. I basically grew up in various parts of small-town Texas. I feel very lucky to have the Austin Shambhala Center in town.
I found out about Shambhala from a friend during a discussion of spirituality, Buddhism, mindfulness, and social consciousness. I was feeling spiritually homeless at the time, and really hoping to find a spiritual practice that felt in tune with my place at the time. My friend recommended Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior. I was instantly hooked -- I knew I'd finally found a spiritual perspective that felt right for me, in my heart.
Since then I have studied more about Buddhism in general, including the other schools and practices that are available in my area. I'm very lucky -- there are quite a many Buddhist communities here, everything from an isolated country Theraveda monastery (very small -- one monk! -- but still there...) to a grand temple built by the IBPS (BLIA) that embraces "8 schools" including Mahayana and Vajrayana, to a well-appointed Soto Zen center.
So far, the Shambhala Center feels the most like "home" to me. I am looking forward to exploring my path further there.
I am not sure if anyone is watching this community anymore, but here goes...
After at least two years of thinking that I will "someday" be ready to investigate it, I finally went to the Austin Shambhala Center last night, for meditation instruction and conversations about Buddhism. It was exactly what I hoped it would be, and I am looking forward to doing it again next Wednesday.
Is anyone else here active in a local sangha? This is the first time I have attempted to be part of a spiritual community since I gave up Catholicism in high school, then a brief attempt at Protestantism in college. I have felt so jaded and concerned that my very personal experience won't fit in with others in a community. But so far, the Shambhala center seems to be a good home for me.
Here's my introduction:
I live in Austin, Texas (USA) and have lived in Austin for 17 years now. I basically grew up in various parts of small-town Texas. I feel very lucky to have the Austin Shambhala Center in town.
I found out about Shambhala from a friend during a discussion of spirituality, Buddhism, mindfulness, and social consciousness. I was feeling spiritually homeless at the time, and really hoping to find a spiritual practice that felt in tune with my place at the time. My friend recommended Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior. I was instantly hooked -- I knew I'd finally found a spiritual perspective that felt right for me, in my heart.
Since then I have studied more about Buddhism in general, including the other schools and practices that are available in my area. I'm very lucky -- there are quite a many Buddhist communities here, everything from an isolated country Theraveda monastery (very small -- one monk! -- but still there...) to a grand temple built by the IBPS (BLIA) that embraces "8 schools" including Mahayana and Vajrayana, to a well-appointed Soto Zen center.
So far, the Shambhala Center feels the most like "home" to me. I am looking forward to exploring my path further there.
