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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Floral Notes and Bardo: Complete in Process
By Travis Newbill
Floral Notes and Bardo: The Creative Chronicles of a Shambhala Mountain Resident is a regular feature on the SMC blog in which a member of our staff/community shares his experience of existing as part of Shambhala Mountain Center.
This all consuming glow, inviting me to go forth from self concern, to love perfectly. A work in process that is never incomplete.
Making plans and letting them drop; keeping the tires off the line; big wave picks me up–flourishing. Then, I want that to always be the case. Then I fall off a bit, resisting all the way. Then, I let go. Then, things are simpler. Then, I have the space of mind to be organized again and flourish.
Meanwhile, chaos is terrifying, abundant, and the source of all great explosions of art.
Who am I to talk about the source?
Some artistic activity attempts to present a tidy package. Maybe sometimes it’s appropriate. Much of the time though, it seems that the name of the game is fluidity. Ever shifting life. The dharma influences the flow. And then it’s letting go and lots of improvisation.
Am I becoming what I want to become?
Am I on the road to success?
Oh… I am on the road!
— December 17, 2015
~~~
Travis Newbill is a curious dude on the path of artistry, meditation, and social engagement who is very glad to be residing at Shambhala Mountain Center. His roles within the organization include Marketing Associate and Shambhala Guide — a preliminary teaching position. Follow Travis on twitter: @travisnewbill
Summer
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Floral Notes and Bardo: NBD
Floral Notes and Bardo: The Creative Chronicles of a Shambhala Mountain Resident is a daily feature on the SMC blog in which a member of our staff/community shares his experience of existing as part of Shambhala Mountain Center.
Pony kicking around in a big pool of honey,
undisturbed, and trapped–in its own dream, sweet.
NO BIG DEAL
Last night we began a course called Joy in Everyday Life with David Cushman. He sat in a chair like he was in his den–with slippers and a glass of diet root beer, which he says, again and again, “is actually quite delicious, taste-wise.” He gave a great talk, and it cracked me up more than once. I know the guy. We’re pretty close. We’re friends. And, he’s a great, experienced teacher. He was a student of Trungpa Rinpoche. He’s been around for a good while–deep practitioner. Lots of wisdom. And a total, loveable, goofball. Cushman makes dharma fun, and he is also not full of shit–maybe a bit crazy. Good-crazy. These are my opinions. I’m glad to be taking this course with a group of friends, lead by a friend. It’s a good scene.
The other night, Heather and I read aloud from a Pema Chödrön book–a book we’re to study for the course: The Places That Scare You. It’s a good scene. We read about the contrast between being cozy in a nest of predictability and leaping into the unknown. We agreed that we like both.
~~~
Travis Newbill is a curious dude on the path of artistry, meditation, and social engagement who is very glad to be residing at Shambhala Mountain Center. His roles within the organization include Marketing Associate and Head Dekyong–a position of leadership within the community.
a new post
testing thumbnail
Image testing with caption
Thumbnail 65×65:
Prayer flags in the woods
Medium (125×83):
Prayer flags in the woods
SMC Horizontal Medium (190×140)
Prayer flags in the woods
SMC Program Image (190×190): (this option exists but should not)
Prayer flags in the woods
SMC Vertical Teacher Image (140×190):
Prayer flags in the woods
Large: 590×352:
Prayer flags in the woods
Fullsize: (will downsize to width of page):
Prayer flags in the woods
A new image test post
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A Lot of New!
Welcome to the new Shambhala Mountain Center blog. We have a lot of “New” happening at SMC right now and wanted to share it with you. Following are some current ways for us all to stay connected.
We are really excited about our new Blog. It’s a way for us to give you a peek at the inside story at SMC as well as include you in the journey of learning what it means to be engaged in making enlightened society possible. So tune in often for delicious recipes, photos, profiles of the wonderful presenters who are joining us, and more!
New Website
This new Blog is possible because of our new website, launched today. Many thanks to Blue Mandala, Sweet Design, and the many people who have been part of this effort. With the old website, when we wanted to make a change on the homepage, we had to go through a (very nice) guy in Canada. Now, we could change the homepage ourselves everyday if we wanted to. (We don’t.) All this to say that when you are on our website, you can be sure it is the latest, greatest most up-to-date information about SMC out there.
New Catalog, Getaways, Discounts and more!
And before we close the book on what’s New, our most recent catalog for our winter and spring programming is on the way to your local Shambhala Center or to your home (if you are on our mailing list.) Speaking of new, it is full of new things designed to make it easier you to get to the land more often. We have expanded our generosity policy to include all of our programs, and are also offering 25% off our lodging prices in a new “Getaway” option. And beginning in March, we will be hosting an Open House on the first Sunday of every month. The catalog has a 15% discount coupon for all of our Winter-Spring programs, so be sure to pick one up.
Of course, nothing is really new. SMC had a blog in the past and has one again. Everything is connected and interdependent. That is why we are so excited and why we need you to make this new picture complete.
This blog is meant for you. Please help us to build a strong community by commenting below and letting us know what you think and what kinds of things you’d like to see. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon.