Feeling the Goodness
In Part I of this two-part essay, we looked at the genetics behind the universal human impulse to create good society. The logic was this: everywhere there are humans, we form society. Therefore, it must be in our genes. The first part of this essay was basically a book review of Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins … Continue
Advice for Doing a Covid Retreat by Shastri Russell Rodgers
“Self-isolating” sounds a lot like being on retreat. It could be very boring. But maybe you’ve finally had your fill of Netflix. Maybe there are times in the day when you feel like you are bored and just spinning your wheels. Fortunately, we Buddhists know how to handle boredom (even if we are just beginning … Continue
Kindness in the World
All over the world, wherever there are humans, there are societies. We have evolved different languages, customs, and even skin colors. But always, there is society. Society has enabled us to transmit knowledge and technologies. These have enabled us humans to dominate the earth, perhaps to our own detriment. Some strands of Buddhism suggest that … Continue
Will Meditation Make Me Happy?
In this one-minute video, Shastri Russell Rodgers explains what meditation is, and what results from sticking with it. For more from Shastri Rodgers on the Shambhala approach to meditation, see Meditation: Gentle Warriorship (PDF), an introductory pamphlet he created. And watch for more of his videos on our new YouTube channel: Kootenay Shambhala. You can … Continue
The Art of Being Human: Loving Ourselves in a Chaotic World
Meditation can be daunting. I mean, what is it really? You sit down cross-legged on a cushion and try to clear your head of thoughts right? What are you actually doing? Does it actually do anything? The reality is both complicated and very, very simple. The fact is, most of us are in our … Continue
The Pope, the Climate, and Enlightened Society
By Russell Rodgers Here in Nelson British Columbia, the Kootenay Shambhala Centre is taking part in an extraordinary event. For the first time, 50 to 60 people from various churches in town are meeting to talk. Among them are Catholics, Lutherans, United Church, Anglicans, Buddhists and a local Ashram. All are represented by church leaders … Continue
Harvest of Peace Celebration
This year’s Harvest of Peace was a lovely day to gather and bring in the change of the seasons. We began the morning with the Sadhana of Basic Goodness—a potent practice to help work towards enlightened society. The entire community can do this practice together on these special days. The morning was accompanied with kids, food, and … Continue
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 … Continue
Tune in to the Sakyong
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche joins Waylon Lewis on his popular online Walk the Talk Show on Wednesday, April 2, 1:30 pm MDT (2014). You can watch here: Sakyong Mipham—Is Meditation Selfish?
Happy Shambhala Day!
Shambhala Day is a celebration of the new beginnings of the year and a time to appreciate each other. This year we are welcoming in the Wood Horse Year. A time of powerful new growth and energy. We had a wonderful morning at the Kootenay Shambhala Center on Baker street and celebrated our imminent move to … Continue