Membership
Becoming a member of the Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center is a statement about your personal inspiration, curiosity, and progress along 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. We also provide each other an opportunity to practice compassion and patience.
If you feel a connection to the Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center, the practice of meditation, and the vision to create an enlightened society, you may wish to consider becoming a member. Becoming a member of our center simultaneously brings membership in the global community of Shambhala.
Membership is a way to practice generosity, express appreciation for what Shambhala provides, and help make it available to others. Membership involves four areas of engagement and support:
Practicing meditation
Making a connection to mindfulness-awareness meditation or related contemplative practice and integrating this practice into daily life is considered the best way for members to support Shambhala and benefit the world and ourselves.
Volunteering
Much of the work of our Center and that of the Shambhala global community is done by volunteers. We need your help and active participation. Volunteering is a crucial part of the spiritual path, helping you develop generosity and a sense of power.
Providing financial support
Although membership is not required to participate in much of what the Center has to offer, without our community’s financial and volunteer support, we cannot exist. Member dues and donations are vital to the maintenance and growth of our Center and the international Shambhala community. The amount of your membership contribution is a personal decision that reflects your own situation and connection. Your ongoing monthly donation, at whatever amount works for you, contributes to the financial foundation for our community.
Practicing community
Shambhala is more than a place to meditate and take classes. Engaging with others to develop a culture that embodies the profound principles of basic goodness is at the heart of a member’s commitment. We invite you to join us in this exploration and practice of community.
Steps to becoming a Member
Choose a suggested membership level:
- Beginning Level $25-$49/month
- Supporting Level $50-$74/month
- Sustaining Level $75-$99/month
- Patron or Family Level $100+/month
- Custom amount based on your ability to pay.
Ways to pay:
Online:
- Go to the online donation/payment page
- Create a profile
- Once logged in, add a transaction, select ‘general fund’
- Enter the amount you want to donate in the Dues/donation field
- Select the payment frequency
- Select the payment start date
By mail:
Mail us your recurring payment to: 2695 Villa Creek Drive, Suite B146, Farmers Branch, TX 75234-7310. Make checks/money orders out to “Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center”.
What are the benefits of membership?
- Ongoing, personal meditation instruction with a qualified and experienced meditation instructor
- Connection with our community helps support your practice and strengthen your understanding of Shambhala Buddhism
- Invitation to community events, programs, and classes
- A membership pin
- Access to member resources at www.shambhala.org and automatic membership in Shambhala’s world-wide network
- Ability to check out materials from our library
- Opportunities in center governance and in staffing or coordinating programs
- Eligibility to pursue a teaching path and being a Shambhala Meditation Instructor and/or Guide
Those who are in the sangha are warriors, because they are trying to overcome samsara. Members of the sangha support one another and care for one another. They are not perfect, but they inspire us because they are people who want to deepen their practice of mindfulness, awareness and compassion. The sangha is also a container. When we practice together, the sangha helps our discipline. We realize that there are other people around who are going through the same thing. That gives us a feeling of encouragement.
– Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
