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The Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center offers ongoing programs and special events for parents, families, and children throughout the year. Our Family Council meets once monthly to exchange ideas and support our vision for families and children in the Shambhala community. All are welcome to attend our gatherings. April 2009 meeting is April 14, 5.30pm - 7. For more information, contact Lisa Cargerman at lcargerman@comcast.net
Ongoing Programs for Children and Teenagers Tiger Club is a group supporting families with children under the age of four by providing a consistent space for parents to practice and by establishing and building a practice community for these families. Parents spend 45 minutes in sitting meditation and 30 minutes in discussion groups while the children are cared for by a babysitter in the Family Center. Our discussions may be free-form or arise from a topic from chosen readings or lectures. Following discussion, we resume sitting and invite the children to sit with us for the last five to ten minutes. Tiger Club meets at 10am - noon on the second Sunday of each month from September through May. April 2009 meeting is April 5, not April 19. The Family Center is located on the ground floor of BSMC. For more information, contact Lisa Kieffer at lisa_kieffer@yahoo.com ..................................................................... Dharmic Warriors
..................................................................... Bodhi School Bodhi School 2008-2009 2nd Sunday of the month, Sept.-April, 10am-noon Closing ceremony: May 17 $145 ($120 plus $25 materials fee) Bodhi School provides children and young teenagers with a spiritual education in the tradition of Shambhala Buddhism. Teachers introduce meditative principles as a way to work with the heart and mind. We explore the idea of basic goodness as a way to instill confidence, bravery and kindness, and discover how the principles of compassion and loving-kindness can be vehicles for working with oneself and others in the world. All classes include experiential as well as didactic learning. Bodhi School is open to 4- to 14-year-olds from the Shambhala community as well as from the general public. Classes follow a three-year curriculum and meet once a month. Bodhi School begins September 14th in the main shrine room. Parents are asked to attend the entire first meeting.
Download Bodhi School Registration Forms: 3. Please copy and paste registration and release info into an email and send to: admin@boulder.shambhala.org or Fax to 303-443-2975 Attn. Jill Cohen or mail to: Boulder Shambhala Center Att. Jill Cohen 1345 Spruce St. Boulder, CO 80302
4. COMPLETE REGISTRATON ONLINE VIA PAYPAL .....................................................................
Special Events for Families and Children Family Meditative Arts Day This day of creative exploration begins with a family meditation talk followed by a potluck feast before we launch into an afternoon of meditative arts suitable for the whole family. We experiment with brief sitting meditation, flower arranging (finger-safe, take-home containers provided), yoga, free style calligraphy, and a haiku hike. Rites of Passage Rites of Passage is a secular ritual acknowledging the eight-year-old child’s first major step towards adulthood and the first assumptions of responsibility in the family and beyond. Mature seven-year-olds and nine-year-olds who have not had the opportunity to engage in the Rites are also welcome. In the intensive one-month course, the child is introduced to his or her potential as a warrior—one who faces the events of life, big and small, with an open heart, inquisitiveness, dignity, and fearlessness. Children discover these qualities through stories and discussions with the core teacher as well as meditation and mindfulness practices. Children work with meditative art forms such as ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, and spontaneous poetry and physical disciplines such as marching drill, kyudo (contemplative archery), and serving one another. The week culminates in a ceremony based on the three stages of traditional rites of passage: the symbolic separation of the children from their familiar society (home and parents), a transition period of receiving sacred teachings, and re-emergence of the children in a changed form. Children’s Blessings When visiting teachers come to our center, we invite children to spend time with them at Children's Blessings. Our rich family of Buddhist lamas provide opportunities for children to experience their own wakefulness in a powerful and playful setting. These audiences are a precious opportunity for families and children to make a connection with teachers and fully enjoy their presence.
Children’s Day, which falls on the winter solstice, is an opportunity to express appreciation for and with our children. Holidays such as this have their origin as “holy days.” They are the way human beings mark the sacred times in the yearly cycle of life. Children’s Day is a strong counter-experience to the materialism and chaos of the holiday season. It is hoped that everyone, especially the children, feel as if they are within the enlightened society of Shambhala for a night and truly experience the richness of Shambhala culture. Our community gathering includes a lhasang ceremony, candlelight ceremony, and children's blessing. The children present gifts to charitable organizations and enjoy entertainment and performances including song, storytelling, and theatrical productions with Shambhalian themes, followed by a reception. Additional Resources for Parents ..................................................................... Mindful Parenting Discussion Group What does it mean to raise our children mindfully? How can we be spiritual individuals in a spiritual family? How can we make parenting part of our path? Explore these and other questions in our monthly discussion group. Lisa Cargerman and Kerry Maclean co-facilitate this group focused on parenting as path. Each month we have a brief presentation on a subject such as discipline, family meditation, individual meditation, or loving kindness vs. idiot compassion, followed by an open discussion. All are welcome to attend. Childcare is provided: $10 donation requested. “Parenting as Path” Lecture Series Presented by the Family Council, the "Parenting as Path" lecture series addresses a broad range of issues under the umbrella of "Parenting with Shambhala Vision." We explore questions such as “How do we bring up our children as spiritual warriors?” and “How do we balance formal meditation practice with the practicalities of daily life as parents?” Together we share our experiences, explore these challenging but workable issues, and cultivate the view that parenting is a part of meditation practice. Speakers include resident Acharyas as well as visiting teachers and invited guests. Family Council The Family Council recognizes that in order for families to participate fully in practice, study and celebration, they need support. To this end, the council serves two main functions: helping families and children take advantage of programs offered at the center and listening to the needs and aspirations of the families and children in our community. At our monthly council meetings, community members are welcome to make requests, offer suggestions, or raise family-related issues they would like to see addressed at the center. Questions explored by Family Council include the following: How can parents best serve their children? What are the qualities of parenting as a spiritual path? How are children best educated? What is a householder yogi and how can we make this work? Childcare The center provides free childcare during major teaching visits and other special events. Children play and have quiet time and snacks together with a professional caregiver. To pre-register for childcare, please contact Jill Cohen at 303-444-0190 x106 or admin@boulder.shambhala.org. |
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Families and Children 
Winter Solstice/Children’s DayLearn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org |
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