Supporting the Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre

The Shambhala Centre operates entirely on the commitment and contributions of its members. We depend upon one another for the creativity and kindness that provide a space for all to practice and study, for the energy and generosity that keep our doors open.

Becoming a member of the Ottawa Shambhala Centre does not mean you agree with everything you hear or read, but that you maintain a willingness to work with your own mind, your meditation practice, and your intention to remain open-hearted and awake. Your meditation instructor and other community members are indispensable in this exploration. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have about Shambhala and what it means to become a member.

For more information, contact our membership coordinators.

Membership

Being a Member of Shambhala

Becoming a member of the Ottawa Shambhala Centre is an expression of your personal inspiration, curiosity, and commitment to the path of awakening. It is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen your own practice and to help others in a way that really matters. It is also a chance to meet and learn from others on the same journey, and to create an enlightened society. It is not necessary, however, to become a member in order to participate in the Centre's activities. Everyone is always welcome.

Local Membership

Membership consists of a commitment on three levels:

• Meditation practice & study. Mindfulness/ awareness practice is the ground of everything we do. Meditation is the path that enables each one of us to achieve our human potential and benefit others. Studying together and sharing our understanding of Shambhala Buddhism and its related disciplines open the door to knowledge and insight, and nourish our growth along the path.


• Community. Membership is an opportunity to contribute our energy, spirit, creativity, special skills and plain old elbow grease towards the running of the Centre. Generous volunteers make everything happen: from sitting practice to programs, from special celebrations to Centre administration. Through working together, we have the opportunity to put the teachings into practice; others benefit and we form lasting friendships.


• Contribution. Members are expected to support the Centre financially as an expression of their generosity and commitment. Effective January 2003, the suggested contribution is $50 per month. No one is denied membership because of an inability to pay the full amount, but it is important to make some regular monthly contribution and this can be arranged with the Membership Coordinators. Those who can contribute more than the suggested amount are encouraged to do so. Membership contributions are used exclusively for the Centre's programs and operating expenses, and are tax deductible (receipts provided annually).

While membership is primarily a gesture of generosity, there are also many personal benefits from becoming a member of the Ottawa Shambhala Centre, such as:

• open access to the Centre
• the opportunity to attend many special Shambhala celebrations and events
• access to the Centre's member library
• a copy of the community directory

Membership in the global Shambhala mandala

When people become members of their local Shambhala Centres, they automatically become members of the entire Shambhala mandala. The Shambhala mandala is much larger than just the local Shambhala community, and there is an ongoing and dynamic relationship between the mandala-at-large and local Centres. This includes financial support that the local community provides for the Sakyong and the core services of the mandala.