We are pleased to offer you this community update in which you will read about a variety of new programs we have held and are planning to hold for this year, the visit by the Sakyong and his family, a fundraising update and a general overview of the community as a whole.

1. Community Update
August 2015

2. Programming Update
In addition to our regular programming, the winter regional
leadership retreat brought together 36 leaders to explore applying
the Six Ways of Ruling teachings. We also hosted our first Monarch
retreat for Shambhala leaders who have attended Rigden Abhiseka.
Our second will be this December and we plan to host at least one a
year, potentially two.
During Life as Celebration, The Sakyong, assisted by Lodro Rinzler,
led 141 participants, many of whom were brand new to Karmê
Chöling, in profound, yet simple, teachings on Basic Goodness.
A small group of inspired educators from last year’s summer dathun
developed a 4 day assembly of educators cultivating meditation,
artistic workshops, peer discussion and relationship with the land to
deepen connection with minds and hearts. We also worked together
with the Howard Divinity School and the Washington Shambhala
Center to create a novel program for a group of students, led by
Acharya Gaylen Ferguson.
Together with Seiko Kyudojo, we held our first Kyudo Assembly with
Kanjuro Shibata XXI.

3. More on Programming
We are delighted that Dr. Eva Wong continues to bring Qigong
teachings to Karmê Chöling. In July we toured the land listening to
her insights on energy flow. In October she leads a new program,
Ancient Strategies for Today’s World: Sunzi’s Art of War and
Warrior Qigong.
In October we will be hosting our annual Family Weekend with a
new program called Mindful Parenting along with the Teen Retreat
and Aloka Children’s Program. Our second Youth Leadership
Intensive will also take place in October.
At the end of December, we will offer a Heart of Recovery program
- an exploration of how meditation and mindfulness intersect with
recovery from addiction and other harmful habitual patterns.

4. The Visit by the
Sakyong and Family
We were delighted that the Sakyong stayed for an extended visit,
both offering exquisite teachings in the Scorpion Seal and Life as
Celebration programs, as well as having time as a family with the
Sakyong Wangmo and their three daughters.
Our relationship with the Saint Johnsbury Shambhala Center
flourished during the Royal Family's visit with so many of our local
sangha pitching in to help us prepare for and serve his Majesty at
the residence.
Holding Court at Garuda's Nest
As is the tradition, the Sakyong's residence was held at Michael and
Jeanine Greenleaf's nearby home. The Greenleaf's generously built
an addition to their home this year, allowing us to better host the
whole family. The addition also provided an improved container for
residence staff, so much so that this year's residence became a
training ground for court service for Karmê Chöling staff, many of
whom had never experienced a visit with the Sakyong or his family.
The additional space also enabled the Sakyong to host an Acharya
Retreat and a Kasung Retreat. It was truly a gift in so many ways.

5. The Sakyong Speaks to Staff and Local Sangha
The Sakyong generously extended himself to a gathering of staff
and local sangha members. He spoke on what we need to do to
create Enlightened Society emphasizing that we don't have to have
all the answers, we just need to participate...that by interacting with
a sense of our basic goodness we allow other people to connect with
their own goodness. As he spoke, we felt our inherent dignity and
raised our gaze a bit higher.
Taking great care to connect to all that is happening here, the
Sakyong requested that Myra introduce each person to him by
name. The introductions were personal in nature and created an
intimacy that many of us had never experienced with the Sakyong.
Tea with the Sakyong Wangmo
Toward the end of her stay, the Sakyong Wangmo visited Karmê
Chöling to host a tea for staff and local sangha. Her grace and
beauty shined a light on the healthiness of the whole community
creating an atmosphere that was equally sweet as it was refreshing.
Just as the Sakyong did, the Sakyong Wangmo extended such
warmth and care by asking for introductions during which she too
spoke to something personal with each person. Her presence felt like
a garland that binds all of us together.

6. Development Update
There is a powerful forward momentum here. The generosity of
our donors has been astounding. In particular, the amazing
enthusiasm for the Septic Fund -- affectionately dubbed the "Poop
Fund" by program participants -- put us in a position to move
forward with the main campus septic upgrade project. This
$100,000+ project, which paves the way for future expansion,
will begin August 28th and is expected to be completed by
October 10th.
...And, in the midst of all the excitement here, our septic system at
Ashoka Bhavan failed, requiring immediate and extensive
replace-ment...bringing an unanticipated outlay of ~$80,000. Far
be it from our strong sangha to let a little leach field get in the
way of the great progress we are making, however! Several of
you have responded generously to our call for donations for this
second septic project during what has become Karmê Chöling's
"Septic Summer." As we like to say, this is the muck from which
the lotus flower blooms. If you would like to join us in tackling this
unforeseen expense, please make a donation today (be sure to
write "AB Septic" in the Comments field).

7. Community Update
The staff, residential volunteers, summer volunteers and local
community are a large part of what makes Karmê Chöling so special.
The alignment of capabilities and talents among our many volunteers
and staff to our emerging needs – and the timing of candidates’
appearance at our door – has been nothing short of miraculous. The
community has a palpable air of cooperation, caring, workability, and
respect for one another. We truly are manifesting Enlightened Society
each and every day.
Often approached by participants who share that they are touched
at being held with such care by staff and volunteers, we have a sense
of the cosmic mirror reflecting back our heartfelt manifestations.
With another joyous Family Camp behind us we are now hosting
Warrior Assembly which will close out our summer season. It's cliche
but, really, where does time go? Before kicking off the fall season, the
staff will enjoy a well-deserved week off in early September. And, on
September 27th we will celebrate the Harvest of Peace. We hope to
see many of you there.