Dear amazing sangha friends:
Many of you already know about the Growing Brave Conference for Families & Children in Shambhala in Boulder October 6 – 9 next month. I am proud to be among seven devoted people who have worked for over 2 years to make this conference happen. Our intention is to create an entirely new paradigm for the way those of us in Shambhala relate to our children and their families. After all, children are the future of Shambhala, and what they contribute now and as adults will help create a new paradigm for the world. Isn’t this what “enlightened society” is all about?
Children in Shambhala have long experienced themselves as beings at the edges of Shambhala. Too often they have been offered “childcare” so their parents could sit and learn the dharma. We can do better. Their busy parents have often felt isolated and unsupported as they attempt to participate in sangha activities. It’s time to consider that it is not just parents who raise the children, but the whole sangha who does this. We’ve all heard, “It takes a village to raise a child”…and that’s us!
The conference in Boulder will be amazing and will include children. Among other things, we’ll be discussing Shambhala curriculum for children. Acharya Adam Lobel (who has two young boys) and Minister Wendy Friedman will guide those gathered. There are many people eager to come and the tuition is low to encourage them. For those at a distance, it means taking time off work, bringing kids or finding childcare for them and spending a good deal of money to make the trip. We have many people asking for scholarships, and we also need to cover the conference expenses.
This is why I’m asking everyone in our sangha to donate $10 toward this worthy initiative. I’m not suggesting more because it’s even more important that we all give generously to our local sanghas as we traditionally do during the Harvest of Peace next week. At a recent werma feast in Eagle Rock almost everyone there donated at least $10, and $240 was raised on the spot. I think we can easily surpass that amount with your help!
Here’s how to make the donation with this direct link:
https://families-hub.shambhala.org/connect/donate
You’ll immediately receive a printed receipt for your donation.
With much appreciation for your help in this endeavor!
Laura Burnham, on behalf of the SMCLA Family Council