Kootenay Shambhala Centre Grand Opening!
The Grand Opening Week will start with an open house on Friday night, September 5. There will be an open house and tours of the new centre, with wine and appetizers at 6:30 pm. At 7:30 we will introduce Acharya Jenny Warwick, who has come from Bellingham to direct the weekend activities. Acharya Warwick has deep roots in the Kootenays—she was a principle organizer for what would become the Kootenay Shambhala Centre back in the mid 1970’s. Since moving away she has held many positions in the greater Shambhala mandala. She is currently in charge of programs for children and families. Acharya Warwick will give a talk “Let it Shine-Shambhala in our Community”.
Saturday will begin at 9am with muffins, tea and coffee. At 9:30 there will be meditation instruction and practice until 11 am, when Acharya Warwick will give a talk “On Being a Household Meditator: Uniting Our Family, Meditation, and Society.” Lunch will be provided from 12-2pm. Suggested donation for the Saturday program is $50. Friday night and Sunday are free of charge.
Sitting will resume at 2 pm on Saturday, followed by tea and small group discussion of Shambhala activity in our community—how warriors can take their practice off the cushion and into the world. At 7 pm there will be a movie “An Uncommon King”.
Sunday’s focus will be on Shambhala Household. Children are invited and there will be day care. The day will start at 10 am with sitting and a talk “Parenting as Path”, followed by a blessing ceremony for children and youth.
At noon Acharya Warwick will conduct a Centre blessing. The activities at the Centre for the day will end with a potluck lunch.
On Monday, September 8, visiting lama Losang Samten will begin the creation of a sand mandala of compassion. This will be a great event to bring children to, and we will be inviting the broader community, schools and other spiritual groups.
The following weekend, September 12-14, we will be participating in the Kootenay Spirit Festival. See their website for details.
