Round One: What do you value most about your experience at KSC? • guidance for my life on the Dharma path from the lamas; refuge at the center; the mutual commitment of the sangha and devotion to one another. • the teachings, learning about the dharma illuminate daily life and sheds understanding on the events of life. • teachings from the lamas, clear transmissions- I appreciate having my feet held to the fire (with assignments, goals), the opportunity for the sangha to create together. • continuity- I imprinted on Kalu RInpoche and learned of the Dharma path; happy to be part of Buddhism's unfolding in the west with our lamas leading us. The books we read here are the classics- it's important that our center hold that knowledge. • I echo ______ , this is such a rich place, there is an opportunity here for genuine transformation at levels we are barely aware of when we start, and it has to do with lineage. I am concerned about "changing the wine into water" - i.e. diluting the dharma and vajrayana practices. • the lamas for their inspiration, guidance and care; the teachings, dharma. • individual counseling from the lamas • teachings, lamas, resources here, visiting teachers - it has changed my life. • thinking differently, that my mind is changing • being with all of you today (I come inconsistently) • value of the sangha is immeasurable; the energy, teachings of the lamas, the remarkable growth of the sangha since early days • the value is that it's here! a storehouse of teachings- it radiates that vibration out into the community and the world. • the freedom from believing that my thoughts are me • KS provides an opportunity for everything we can realize in spiritual growth; there is basic sanity, a ground of being, and acceleration of growth; my heart has reopened being here; the contemporary teachings of the Lamas. • well thought out structure of the teachings, the lamas' depth of knowledge, the sangha itself- life changing. • I have become a lot kinder to others and myself in my thoughts. 1 • I'm a simple joe- I like an exemplar: the cool, calm joyfulness of the Lamas; gratitude to Bruce and Leslie Sargent for Buckhorn retreat. • community, teachings and the opportunity to practice together. • spent most of my life frightened- the teachings and counseling from the Lamas give me a place to develop responsibility for my own transformation, methods to address fear. This is a practice, very practical. • like ______ and ______ , a transformative processing of what it is to be alive, that my thoughts and emotions are not all of who I am. • children's program, they are the ones to come after us; small groups, nurturing environment. • increase in self-awareness, constant reminders that I am part of something bigger than myself; connected to the exalted sangha. • I think of it in bigger ways- our family's connection to this group and what it brings to us, getting to know the Lamas- in time of need, for advice and for practicing a new way of living. • since starting here, I feel I never stop growing along spiritual lines, through confused states and personal crisis - aspiration that all of us will continue to grow. • gratitude to the lamas, for their generosity, kindness and teachings; increased, richer self awareness. • there is a reason I chose the word "future"- our child was in Dharma Kids- we want to grow that. Round Two: What would you like the next generation of KSC practitioners to have available? • continue everything that is already happening, the lineage, lamas, sangha, teachings, practices and Vajrayana practice groups even in the absence of the lamas, children's group, retreats, Buckhorn Springs. • what we have here- a strong lineage connection; that the tantric practices do not wane- that there is connection with whoever comes to teach that they "teach the Dharma from the heart" (LLR); encouraging younger families and children in their dharma path. • full hearted integrity of teachings for the sangha • deep connection of our lamas to the teachings- this is precious and not available everywhere. • that the harmony the lamas have fostered continue, for all voices to get a chance to be heard- "I'm for harmony". • the pastoral counseling is important for me; I'd like to see that extended in groups not related to readings, but in relative world experiences (ex. election: found myself thinking after speaking, "Where did that come from?") 2 • strong connection to the lineage, so that we have resources to continue practices; support young families, kids • this place- each person can find silence in this busy world, and refuge in that silence; to never forget that is the ground and the goal • that the door is always open to everyone, instruction and support for people walking in the door for the first time (Calm Abiding. Tonglen), support for young families. • a residential lama, strong in keeping the Vajrayana deity practices, the foundational practices; strong guidance, multidimensional. • purity of the teachings is crucial; another residential lama - container for all our growth. • acknowledge _____ 's comment for support group with dharma practice orientation. Older folks will continue to come and we want to stay visible and engaged. This is a place for the sacred. • a heart felt wish for this: when we walk through the doors, we remember who we are; great teachers, wonderful if could be residential; to be available as our lamas are. • open doors, accommodating all; resident teacher(s), senior students augmenting dharma talks and inspiring sangha • continuation of lineage; resident lama; vajrayana practices. • the welcome, for it to feel comfortable to be here, to carry that attitude forward, we are an example to those coming up. • hard to envision without residential lamas; love and compassion extended to all coming in. • Kagyu lineage- connect to other centers for teachings/teachers; resident Lamas; community outreach. • holding and unfolding of compassion, permeating strength and clarity (emanating from Lamas and sangha) • harmonious tone set by Lamas; rich teachings (basic, foundational and advanced); residential Lama • the name of the center is Kagyu Sukha Choling- there are lots of Buddhist centers in the area, there is one KSC- authentic lineage, holding to that- the tsoks, the Vajrayana practices. • we are a Shangpa-Kagyu lineage and the Shangpa have deep respect of the female energies- its founders are dakinis, we have two female Lamas- honoring of the feminine. • community outreach, so that it is easier for people to find out about us; echo _____'s mention of an open heart and welcome. 3 • that what we have continues- resident Lama(S), Shangpa-Kagyu lineages, Vajrayana practices; as Tibetan Buddhism continues in the west, perhaps incorporate English and Tibetan in practices so there is more understanding. • I hold the teachings in my heart and want it to here for future. I drive by this temple and it reminds me, even though i don't come frequently. It is sacred. Buckhorn Springs is also sacred. • honesty- we all need to wake up; go onto the street and see that others are just as sacred as we are. More patience, calm. • outreach to those in need, compassion in action. • transitions give us a special opportunity to deal with the energy that comes up...resiliency- we will each have a different impression and together it is beautiful. • core tone of how our Lamas are- heart, softness, depth and breadth- the divine feminine finally gets to breathe- so that it comes into our body and mind and out again into the world, to benefit all. • divine feminine, carried on to the 7th generation; visualization with the elements- fire puja, offerings up; to foster direct experiences (ex: don't tell about an orange, offer one to eat); oneness male and female. • I have received help from here- from Roland and Sue and their daughter Ronnie, an asset to the future generations of sangha; thanks to Michael David and Clay. Round Three: How do you envision your part in sustaining KSC into the future? • This was shared in a "spiral circle", with 6 chairs arranged around the center bowl. The first six people called to answer occupy the chairs; 2 minute speaking time; vajra is passed sunwise; first person speaks, passes vajra- second person speaks- first person leaves when second person is finished speaking; another fills the empty chair. • Buckhorn Springs is in transition as well, open as to what shape it will take- strong connection with KSC, perhaps as housing, retreat space • serve the dharma and the lamas; the ways of serving change over time- I'm going to work in the office. • I'm thinking of generosity; I stay more in the background, I want to expand my connection the sangha. • I would facilitate/co-facilitate a dharma support group. • volunteerism- the energy of the people give the center form; continue to make it a welcoming place • I came from the northern sangha and moved here to practice) maturing my practice, engaging relationship to center and sangha, I offer a servant's heart to you. • deepening of my practice with sangha here and in retreat, support connection to the natural world and to the dharma that world can bring us in retreat 4 • my daughters have been my teachers- taught me to walk the walk and force me to do it. Offer myself as a model to community, sangha- what it means to be reflective, mindful in a Kagyu way. • center is a hub for our family life. I will continue to be a part of the Board, and to help expand and flourish volunteerism so everyone can have an opportunity to serve the center.