There is something about naming a space that makes the space transform into something special.
Volunteer Dan was the one who hung the Shambhala sign up on a madrone tree in the Arcoiris neighborhood. Shambhala is a Tibetan Buddhist word for a hidden, mythical kingdom. The word has actually gained a lot of popularity, and now is the name of a popular Shambala festival, several publications, and a branch of Buddhism. In the Bosque, Shambhala is a peaceful spot in the forest picked out by Dan because of the way the afternoon light shines through the trees and illuminates the space.
Dan spent about two months volunteering for us. For the last three weeks of his stay, he led the team to transform Shambhala from an ordinary spot in the forest into a meditation and discussion space. Excavation, trail improvements, loads of dirt being moved to flatten out the area. Rocks arranged in the shape of the sun. The change was fast, impressive, and remarkable.
Shambhala is a meditation and discussion space. We’ve used it to hold permaculture lectures, discussions about vegetarianism, and language lessons. As Dan pointed out while working on it, it is also an ideal setting for walking meditation.
