Something More

April 1, 2015 by LorreFleming

By Leo Trevino

Dear Sangha,
What led me to visit the Shambhala Center in Durham for the first time was a church meeting that I was invited to attend by a good neighbor.   Although I grew up going to church, I had stopped attending regularly many years ago because of a lack of connection that I had, in either experience or faith or with some of the basic messages of my particular congregation.  As I lived my life, I accumulated all sorts of things – experiences, material wealth, diplomas, a couple of wives (though not at the same time), etc.  Over the years, however, I always had this sense in the back of my mind that, “There must be more to it than this!”

It was this hope of finding “Something More” that led me to visit my friend’s church.   When I attended the meeting, what impressed me was the sense of joy, community and a common vision that everyone had.  The experience was wonderful! I believe that any faith or belief system that helps people connect with compassion, love of one’s fellow human and love of oneself is a good thing.  However, I did not feel that my neighbor’s path was for me.  This experience is what led me to search for local spiritual communities that might be better suited for me and also how I found the Durham Shambhala Center.

I could not be more blessed!  The Durham Shambhala  community is a nonprofit group of warm, friendly people who are devoted to the vision of creating an enlightened society.  The creation of this society  is rooted in the principle that every human being has a fundamental nature of basic goodness. The center offers a plethora of talks, meditation practices, training, retreats, and other resources to help its members uncover this fundamental nature, so that we can all live in a world with less suffering for ourselves and those around us.  As a member, I have learned to appreciate more the life that I have been blessed with. I find more joy in the people and world around me and am learning to work and stay with those difficult moments that we all share on this path we call life.

If you have an interest in exploring what “more” is, I recommend that you to visit the center and find out for yourself.  Membership is voluntary, but if you find what you are looking for there, as I have, then I encourage you to join this wonderful organization.  You can find more information here.

Warmest Regards,

 

Leo Trevino

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