...I got to go to a special private dinner with the Sakyong. (I enjoyed it, but as someone who originally gravitated towards Buddhism because of how I perceived it differed from other organized religions, this was a bit high on the "pomp & circumstance" meter for me).
The end of Saturday's talks and group meditation sessions ended in a blessing parade that still feels a little weird to me in a ceremonial / formal way.
After completing all 5 weekend retreats, and practicing a slightly different meditation technique each weekend, the Shambhala organization presents you with this pin to commemorate your accomplishment! (Surprise, there's nothing to accomplish!)
On Saturday morning, I got up early and headed over to the Shambhala Center to attend my fifth and final meditation weekend in their Way of Shambhala Curriculum.
Back at Shambhala early on Sunday for the second half of the meditation weekend. Staffing is nice because you get to sit a bunch, but you also get called out of the hall to run errands and set up snacks and create a nice place for the people who are taking the weekend proper.
Sunday was the second day of my fourth meditation weekend at the New York Shambhala Center. In all the other weekend classes I'd done, you spent all your time indoors...
...the first full day of the Shambhala Meditation Center's learn to meditate weekend. (Some of you may remember that I first went to a 10-day vipassana retreat up in Massachusetts in 2005 - if you're interested in meditation and live in or near NYC, Shambhala Center is a fantastic way to dip your toe into contemplative waters! I can't say enough great stuff about them!)
