What is Body in relationship with mind? Charity, activity, and mindfulness reconciled

We all know Shamatha meditation is not about getting into a trance – let alone get rid of thoughts. I find a regular exercise routine helps me getting focused and mindful – in combination with my daily meditation practice. It helps me be kind to others and myself, and be present.

There is a different, complementary mindfulness experience in shared focused physical activities – perhaps akin to walking mediation? I would like to take this opportunity to engage in this walk, which is an open charity walk. I would also like to go beyond that experience, by bringing together mindful individuals from different areas of my life – Shambhala, work, Church, social life, volunteering… How can I convince you to join in this experiment?

We won’t run or ride a horse – as the Sakyong would – but we can get our adrenalin up together – among us Shambhalans – and with outsiders, who might get an understanding of this additional dimension we have access to! I always find ways to share my learning. I am often seen as someone who is balanced rather than emotional or extreme and I know I owe that to my exposure to Shambhala.

I stumbled upon Shambhala. I lived in Washington, DC at the time, and used to walk from home to the closest public library. One day I noticed this sign on a wall on the way there; something about mindfulness. I went and knocked on the door. I was lucky that free meditation instruction was about to start so I joined. And never left. It was a difficult time of life for me and somehow “this” made it manageable.

When I was offered a job in Portland, I knew nothing of the West Coast in general, but one of the first things I looked into was: Is there a Shambhala Center? And there was!

Boys with heartI cannot devote as much time energy as I’d like to the Center because of work but I try to contribute in any way I can, and I’d love this opportunity to make a connection between us and others parts of my life productive, rewarding, and promising. Will you help me?

Details about joining this American Heart Association walk are here.

–Hella Bel, Ph.D., Shambhala Center Member

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