Roles
There are many ways to help out at the San Diego Shambhala Meditation Center. The volunteer roles range from helping us to maintain our space (the practice environment) to staging/staffing events and programs to helping others progress along their path.
The list below is a brief summary of the many roles and a little background on the prerequisites (if any). If you would like to get more information, please talk with your Meditation Instructor or contact the Practice Coordinator.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of those roles and haven’t already done so, please register and let us know how you would like to help.
Use the links to the left to more quickly navigate this page.
Meditation Instructor
Meditation practice and instruction is at the heart of all the other activities at our center. Meditation Instructors are people with years of meditation experience who have taken on the responsibility of guiding others on their meditation journey and being available to inform, inspire and encourage.To become a meditation instructor, one must have completed Vajrayana Seminary, already be a Shambhala Guide and receive additional training.
Assistant Director
The main activity of Assistant Directors is providing support to the Director at Shambhala Training Levels (by giving talks, leading groups and interviewing participants). At our center, Assistant Directors also give group meditation instruction, lead book discussions as well as give public talks. They are also a “between-level” resource for those taking the Shambhala Training program.To become an Assistant Director, one must have completed Warrior Assembly, already be a Shambhala Guide and receive additional training.
Shambhala Guide
The Shambhala Guide is a resource, guide, friend, and host to newcomers to meditation. Members who become Shambhala Guides feel ready to engage the practice of listening to, encouraging and supporting others on their meditative journeys. At our center, one of the primary activities of Shambhala Guides is giving initial (individual) meditation instruction.To become a Shambhala Guide, one must have completed Shambhala Training Level V and a weekthün (7-day meditation retreat) and have taken a series of classes.
Umdze
The umdze is a model for other practitioners in the shrine room, providing an example of good posture and alert shamatha practice. At our center, the umdze works in concert with any available shrine keepers to prepare the practice space and to close the shrines after practice. The umdze is also responsible for setting up the shrine room before the start of practice, opening and closing the shrines, and for tidying the shrine room after practice.To be an umdze, one simply needs an interest in learning how to lead chants, work with the shrines and practice shrine room decorum. Training is provided.
Gatekeeper
The role of the gatekeeper is to provide a proper container that is conducive to sitting meditation. To facilitate this, the gatekeeper initiates a meditative atmosphere by signaling the start of the sitting session (through the use of the gong), and once the sitting session has begun, the gatekeeper controls the flow of traffic in and out of the shrine room. At our center, when the host is unavailable, the gatekeeper practices mindfulness of speech by giving the weekly announcements.Gatekeeping is one of the easiest ways to volunteer. Brief training is provided.
Dorje Kasung
The teachings held by the Shambhala mandala are presented within a container of wakefulness. Maintaining this container is often referred to as “protector principle”. Within the mandala, the practice of “protector principle” is shared by all, but is particularly associated with the Dorje Kasung.The Dorje Kasung is modelled on the ancient tradition of dharma protectors. Its members are trained in protecting the space in which practitioners are able to hear and practice the teachings. The protection extends to the teacher who presents the teachings, the teachings themselves, and the community who practice the teachings.
To become a part of the Dorje Kasung, some training is required. Contact our Rusung for more information.
Host
The host at the San Diego Shambhala Meditation Center is an ambassador of generosity at our open houses and Sunday Morning tea breaks. The host prepares simple food trays, makes coffee and tea and tidies up afterwards. At our center, the host has a very visible role of making newcomers feel at home. As part of that visibility, the host also delivers the weekly announcements and introduces the teachers who will be giving a talk or leading a discussion.Hosting is also a very easy way to begin volunteering. Brief training is provided.
Kalapa Ikebana
Ikebana, the traditional Japanese Way of Arranging Flowers has its origins in Shinto, where arrangements were made as shrine offerings. Currently there are many schools of Ikebana. Kalapa Ikebana, initiated by Chögyam Trungpa, mixes the traditional teachings of Ikebana and contemplative meditation practice. All the flower arrangements that one sees at our center and contribute so much to its uplifted atmosphere are created by our Kalapa Ikebana volunteers.To be a part of the ikebana team, no previous flower arranging experience is required; all that is needed is the simple a desire to bring your creativity and mindfulness into the practice container. Training is provided.
Shrine Keeping
A shrine a powerful reminder of wakefulness and gratitude. A properly attended shrine evokes a natural sense of dignity and elegance: when shrines are taken care of beautifully, everyone benefits. Shrine Keeping is itself a mindfulness/awareness practice and one the can be easily learned.To be a part of the shrine keeping team, some brief training is provided.
Shambhala Training
The San Diego Shambhala Center regularly offers Shambhala Training. These weekend programs rely heavily on the time and energy of its coordinators and staff to provide a gentle, caring container for the participants. Functions vary from coordinating the staff, helping set-up, prepare food, timekeeping, cleaning, and takedown. While committing to staff the entire weekend is always ideal, coordinators are always willing to work around your availability.To coordinate or assistant coordinate, you must have already completed Level V. To staff Levels I-III, you must have already completed Level III. Staffing Levels IV or V requires you have already completed that Level. Staff a level is “on-the-job” training.
Buddhist Program Staff
The San Diego Shambhala Center also regularly offers Buddhist weekend programs that rely on volunteer staff to build and maintain the practice container. Similar to staffing Shambhala Levels, there are a wide variety of staffing functions that are available.To help staff a Buddhist program, no training is required; however, you may be required to meet any prerequisites for attending the class itself.
Facilities and Maintenance
The San Diego Shambhala Meditation Center rents its space in the Arts Produce Building. While much of the building is maintained by the landlord, our interior space still needs to be be cleaned, kept in good shape and our supplies periodically replenished.Helping out with our Facilities and Maintenance is another very easy way to volunteer and a volunteering role that easily adapts to your time and schedule.