Starting the discussion
As noted by so many who chronicle their experiences in these pages, the Vidyadhara, Trungpa Rinpoche unflinchingly penetrated an inconceivably wide spectrum of Western life. Entering a culture entirely different in every conceivable way from the one he had left behind in Tibet, he brought the dharma into every aspect of life as he found it.
In this culture, nearly all of his students have had to spend a disproportionate amount of time and life energy grappling with livelihood challenges. Over the years, many of us ventured into business enterprises, and of course we all encounter the thorniness of money in both personal and organizational contexts.
Walter asked me to host a blog in which we invite discussion of this topic:
We offer two stories to stimulate conversation: Tom Bell's vividly described recollection of Gold Lake Oil, the Vidyadhara's adventures with resource exploration, and my own recounting of the early days of the New York Delicatessen in Boulder, which will be posted here soon.
Historically, the Vidyadhara presided over an association of sangha businesses, The Ratna Society, in which he expounded core values of how we should approach business as Buddhists. He also worked individually with scores of students on these issues, outside any formal teaching context.
Today, his teachings on Shambhala Warriorship timelessly encourage us to express genuineness and bravery in all walks of our "ordinary life." This daunting challenge, to realize and manifest the virtues of contemplative discipline in the crucible of secular life, illuminates and haunts our lives. Taking up this challenge in our present circumstances brings the potency of his transmission into the present moment.
-Alan Schwartz
In this culture, nearly all of his students have had to spend a disproportionate amount of time and life energy grappling with livelihood challenges. Over the years, many of us ventured into business enterprises, and of course we all encounter the thorniness of money in both personal and organizational contexts.
Walter asked me to host a blog in which we invite discussion of this topic:
| How has the Vidyadhara's inspiration reflected in your experience in the realms of livelihood, business and money? |
We offer two stories to stimulate conversation: Tom Bell's vividly described recollection of Gold Lake Oil, the Vidyadhara's adventures with resource exploration, and my own recounting of the early days of the New York Delicatessen in Boulder, which will be posted here soon.
Historically, the Vidyadhara presided over an association of sangha businesses, The Ratna Society, in which he expounded core values of how we should approach business as Buddhists. He also worked individually with scores of students on these issues, outside any formal teaching context.
Today, his teachings on Shambhala Warriorship timelessly encourage us to express genuineness and bravery in all walks of our "ordinary life." This daunting challenge, to realize and manifest the virtues of contemplative discipline in the crucible of secular life, illuminates and haunts our lives. Taking up this challenge in our present circumstances brings the potency of his transmission into the present moment.
| We invite all those perspectives to be shared here. Please send your recollections, insight, and observations on this topic to . |
-Alan Schwartz
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