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 Membership
First of all, there is no requirement to become a member in order to attend events at the Portland Shambhala Center. Meditation instruction, public meditation, and some introductory offerings are offered without charge, though donations are certainly appreciated.
Becoming a member of a Shambhala Center is a statement about your personal inspiration, curiosity, and commitment to the path of awakening. It means participating in a community of practitioners who aspire to relate to each other with honesty, warmth, and openness. We inspire one another to deepen our practice of mindfulness, awareness and compassion, and provide each other an opportunity to practice compassion and patience. Membership is a commitment to meditation practice, dharma study, to become involved in the activities at the Shambhala Center, and to contribute to the financial support which makes our activity possible. Becoming a member of the Portland Shambhala Center is, at the same time, becoming a member of Shambhala, a global community committed to cultivating mindfulness, awareness and compassion—personally and in society.
Becoming a Shambhala Center member does not mean you agree with everything you hear or read, but that you maintain a willingness to work with your own mind, your meditation practice, and your intention to remain open-hearted and awake. Your meditation instructor and other Shambhala community members are indispensable in this exploration. Membership is a way to express appreciation for what Shambhala provides and help make it available to others.
Three Components to Membership
1. Meditation Practice
A member of Shambhala makes a connection to mindfulness awareness practice and works to integrate that practice into daily life. This connection may also be made through contemplative practices based on mindfulness-awareness. As part of the global mandala of Shambhala, members are dedicated to creating enlightened society.
2. Volunteering
Almost all of the work of our Center and much of the work of the the larger Shambhala community is done by volunteers. Volunteer work is how we are able to offer programs and services. Giving our time and talents to the work of the community is a vital form of support and viewed as part of members' practice. Members donate time to the local Center based on their interests and personal availability.
3. Providing Financial Support
Payment of membership dues provides the financial backbone of our Shambhala center - we rely on membership dues to cover our basic operating expenses. Recurring monthly dues, especially automatic deductions, give us a stable basis for planning our finances. As well, we view financial giving as part of our practice of generosity. Of course, if you wish to stop making the payments at any time, you can.
Benefits of Membership
- 15% Program Discount for most programs
- 10% Bookstore Discount
- Access to the Irene Lundquist Memorial Scholarship Fund — a needs based student scholarship fund for community members to deepen their study by attending major programs such as dathun and seminary.
- Access to the Shambhala People of Color Scholarship Fund.
- Access to the members only areas on our Center's website and Shambhala's main website
- Eligibility to participate in the Center’s governance
- The merit of helping the profound tradition of meditation continue to survive and flourish.
Becoming a Member
Determine which of the following membership dues level is appropriate for you:
- Student / Low Income Member Dues = $10 - $30 per month
- Standard Member Dues = $35 - $95 per month
- Sustaining Member Dues = $100+ per month
Then, fill out a membership form online or in person at the Shambhala Center.
To manage your dues at anytime, click here and create a profile.
If you have any further questions about membership, please contact our Membership Coordinators, Melanya Helene and Marc Otto.
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