Preparing for a Fresh Start: Cleaning the Center for Shambhala Day

cleaningMany Hands Make Light Work

Sunday February 7 at 2pm

Come to the Center — help chase any lingering mamos and prepare the Center to welcome in the new “Year of the Fire Monkey.”

There will be food.

 

Among the end of year practices traditional in Shambhala centers, and in individual homes, is a day of cleaning, usually on the day before Shambhala Day, also known as “neutral” day.  Cleaning is a way to invoke fresh energy and literally clear away residue of the previous year. As Shambhalians, we clean our homes and we clean our center.  Cleaning before the New Year is a way of attracting positive energy into the environment, or as we might say in Shambhala, “drala.” It allows us to put time and energy into uplifting our space to start the year with a sense of freshness, new beginning, openness and possibility.  Join us at the Shambhala Center for this festive day of cleaning as we clear out the cobwebs and uplift our space to invite in the dralas!

Tasks include:

  • Cleaning shrines
  • Vacuuming zabutons and cushions
  • Arranging shrine rooms
  • Wiping/dusting surfaces
  • Cleaning/organizing kitchen
  • Sweeping/damp-mopping floors
  • Sprucing bathrooms

 

Food will be brought in to keep our energy up and all are invited to stay and participate in the last session of mamo chants at 4:30. Shambhala Day decorations will go up downstairs after the final chants.  All who wish are invited to stay and help!

Schedule for the day:

  • 2:00 to 4:00 Cleaning
  • 4:00 to 4:30 Sandwiches
  • 4:30 to 5:30 Mamos chants
  • 5:30 to 6:30 Decorating

 

As we all know, many hands make light work.  Come join in the energy of uplifting our Center on Sunday, February 7th.  Enjoy some food and cameraderie and know you have been of service to your community.  Cleaning supplies and equipment are provided AND you are welcome to bring any supplies or equipment you think would be helpful. Bring your energy and your good cheer to share with your sangha mates while making our Center ready for a fresh start with the Year of the Fire Monkey!

Cleaning our shrine, at home and at the center, is an important aspect of this process. If we have a protector tea-offering bowl, this is the day to clean it. The overall approach in taking care of our environment at this time is to let go of staleness and create the environment for fresh energy to arrive. If we are able to conclude projects, honor obligations that we’ve been unable to fulfill, or pay back a debt before the New Year, this will allow more inspiration and energy to take root after Shambhala Day too. It parallels the spiritual practice we did leading up to Shambhala Day.

From Shambhala Times, “Finishing One Year, Starting Anew” – by Walker Blaine