Collaboration is a continuous learning process
By the Sangha App Team
Isn’t it impressive how much we managed to achieve in the Dzogchen Community thanks to passionate volunteer work? The main drive has surely been the example of our Teacher, who inexhaustibly dedicated his time to the Dzogchen Teachings. Karma Yoga means carrying out actions for the benefit of all sentient beings, without expecting anything in return. Our large, international community currently needs more involvement from their members to thrive. This is a call to action.
Maybe we still live with the stereotype of the real practitioner who isolates him/herself to achieve the liberation of all worldly deeds. But Dzogchen practice can and should permeate even the emotional rollercoaster of group decision-making with limited resources, as it happens with Gakyils. Experiencing that is how we will know we can really keep a cool head and enjoy whatever manifests. As Rinpoche explains, practitioners should collaborate in a way that guarantees their own evolution, whereas “if the members do not have relationships between themselves and stay in isolated places without communicating, it will be very difficult to succeed in realizing these very important objectives.”
We might be worried that we do not have the right qualities or that we will make mistakes, but our sincere intention is the most important aspect. If we learn to observe it, we can also discover how the ego makes us cling to our ideas, becoming a barrier to an authentic service. It’s a great practice!
The Gakyil members we interviewed are feeling often overwhelmed and exhausted because of the large amount of work needed. As a principle a Gakyil consists of 9 people, but some centers don’t reach the bare minimum of 3. Among the online skills needed are web design, fundraising, social media, translation and administration. The in-person skills needed might include cleaning, repairs, gardening or cooking. There is a strong need for people to volunteer, so if you have some of these skills, do not hesitate to offer a little bit of your time, as a volunteer, a Gakyil member or as an assistant.
To support this process, we created the discussion channel “Jobs and Karma Yoga.” In Sangha App Gakyils can post their Karma Yoga opportunities, while volunteers can actively offer their collaboration and time. Karma Yoga is not just about work, but about receiving guidance, learning and practicing together with others.
The Gakyil, or “the wheel of joy,” represents “on the one hand, the inflow of the combined energies of all Dzogchen practitioners, and on the other hand, all the benefits that derive from such energies, spreading in all directions, bringing happiness to infinite beings.”
Using Sangha App on your desktop
Many of us like to take our time with technology, sitting at a big screen with a cup of tea and without constant interruptions. Sangha Web offers you the possibility to use some of the main features of our app from the comfort of your desktop. Among the advantages are the possibility to insert recurring events and to upload pictures from your computer to the discussion groups.
In My Events, you can browse and filter through all the events and you can comfortably add your own events. You also have access to the Channels, private messages and the Tibetan calendar.
For those who already registered to Sangha App, accessing it is very simple and does not require a download or an installation. On your usual browser, go to https://events.mahasangha.net/ and insert your usual email address. You will receive a one-time password by email and… you’re in!
For those who do not have a smartphone, Sangha Web can be a solution to stay connected to the community. You can use a friend’s smartphone for the initial registration, or ask us for help. Then you can enjoy it your way! Here you can find more detailed instructions.
New channel: Daily and weekly practices
We are happy to announce the start of the second part of the program “Meditation training and secondary practices” organized by Merigar East and supported by Sangha App, on Daily and Weekly practices. From March to April, every Monday, practitioners will deepen the Short Thun, Medium Thun, and the Ganapuja.
The channel on Sangha App will be the virtual space for sharing information and resources, as well as asking questions to the SMS teachers.
