A Group That Would Let Me Join
One of the self-esteem jokes that became famous in the last century was, “I would never belong to a group that would have me as a member.” Gets a laugh most times, even if it is a bad joke. But it works because it resonates. Something in the psyche tends toward undervaluing ourselves. One’s personal history is frequently not offered for examination. Everyone has skeletons they’d rather not talk about.
One gift of familiarity with the mind of meditation is the confidence that naturally arises. When we develop a comfort level with the basic underlying tendencies of the mind, we more readily give ourselves a break, can afford to be more relaxed, to feel the mind’s continual invitation to remain relaxed. One of the basic principles of “peaceful abiding” is that given the opportunity, the mind naturally settles into such an attitude toward itself.
For nearly a year, our center has been trying out a non-hierarchical system of governance called Sociocracy. This is a dynamic governance model which employs linear decision-making, and member participation is critical. It promises to empower those members who choose to give voice to their principles and desires. The decision to adopt Sociocracy was the result of a process the community undertook at the beginning of the pandemic when most of our activities at the center stopped, and classes and Sunday meditation sessions began to be held virtually, online. The whole world was grappling with how to run organizations safely using Internet technology to overcome the risk of COVID-19 infection.
SMCD was remarkably successful in this regard (at least in my view), with solid levels of participation and reasonably good financial support from the active membership. Even so, participation of members who had relied on the physical experience of being at the center dwindled. And with time, reluctance to expend the effort and face the risks of going out led our active membership to diminish further.
Recently the desire to gather seems in general to be making a resurgence. There is more traffic, more people at public venues like concerts and the theaters, and more people at the Shambhala Meditation Center. This would seem to reflect a growing confidence. The intensity of the group practice experience, of physical presence in all human social experience, is clearly valued. At the same time, infection levels have remained high and predictions about the winter’ s COVID expectations are mixed. The best advice seems to be safe, wear a mask if you feel vulnerable, get vaccinated and don’t be afraid!
Whatever your State of Mind, please come and practice in community. Take what precautions seem advisable to you. Participate in our sociocratic, member-driven governance model. Though we know we have much to learn, we aspire to be inclusive and promoting of social justice. We can confidently assert that YOU ARE WELCOME at SMCD!
Posted by Larry Seidl
