Thanks to all who participated in our first property viewing at 8805 NE Glisan! About 30 people visited (either in person or online) and gave feedback via the survey our Relocation Team sent out a few weeks ago. Here are some of the highlights…. 20 people attended an open house and walked through the building 16 … Continue →

We have been very busy this month researching the property at 8805 NE Glisan, thanks to those of you who have offered feedback on the property. Here’s where we are currently…. We are exploring a relationship with Beneficial State Bank (previously Albina Community Bank) – they are reviewing our financial status and have responded positively … Continue →

Some of the action items we’re working on…. 1) Identifying and retaining the services of a Realtor who has experience in commercial properties. 2) Identifying a bank to work with us on a mortgage. We are currently exploring a relationship with Beneficial State Bank (formerly Albina Community Bank, a local financial organization). 3) Working with … Continue →

At our meeting on January 29, the relocation team reached broad agreement to not pursue our current location for purchase. Initially we identified some significant benefits in purchasing the building which include the following: The building is a historic property. Built by the Carnegie foundation as a public library, it comes with special tax exemptions … Continue →

Greetings Sangha Members,   It has been a very busy year for your council.  The following notes show the continuation of efforts being made to: support the relocation of the center, address the ever-pressing issues of balancing budget losses and gains, bolstering: volunteering, program attendance, and membership support, implementing changes to the centers administrative and … Continue →

Reflections on queer identity and its expression within Shambhala: part three of a three-part series By Eugene Castillo, The main question I wanted to address in this series of articles for the Shambhala Times is: “why?” Why have a meditation group for LGBTQI people? Isn’t that another form of “other-ing?” Haven’t we already been “othered” enough? … Continue →

by Eugene Castillo   Pride, Basic Goodness and Good Society: part two of a three-part series Celebrating our identities as gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans, intersex, questioning, and gender-queer individuals is both an individual process and a communal activity, though it may seem odd at times to the rest of society. Why do men have to … Continue →

by Eugene Castillo “We can use our interconnectedness to cultivate human dignity – the bedrock of all diversity.” (Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, The Shambhala Principle) The first time I walked into our center in Eagle Rock, California, I wasn’t thinking about my queer identity. I was in physical pain and needed formal meditation instruction to cope after two … Continue →

Hello Sangha, What follows are all the notes from January 2017 to date. Thank you for your patience with the distribution process. These notes would still be tucked away in the corners of Google Drive without the patient help our Communications Coordinator David Engelbrecht. I hope to see you at HoP, Wendy Griffin (Council Secretary) … Continue →