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What do you do to support Shantideva Center?

I have a monthly Mandala membership

I tell everyone what a wonderful place Shantideva Center is

What do you do professionally and/or as a hobby?

I am a retired Emergency nurse. Since retiring I am a full time tree hugger, master composter, and pantry worker driver. .

Why do you offer service?

I attended a teaching with Geshe Sopa years ago and remember him saying, that when you walk into a situation look around and ask the question “how can I help?” It seemed like a simple way to live the paramita of generosity. I learned as a child Its just not fair to take and not give back.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

It makes me feel like I am a part of a community . With so much conflict and discord in the world, it’s a way to feel connected.

How has Shantideva Center benefited your life?

Let me count the ways! First let me say adopting an more open Buddhist perspective of the world has made me more tolerable to my family, co workers and to myself. The Buddhist teachings offer many tools to calm the roller coast of emotions we go through just being alive. Shantideva offers me the opportunity to tune in, expand and reinforce my practice. The range and variety of classes is awesome.

What are other volunteers like at Shantideva Center?

When I arrived at Shantideva I found that it was being run by a group of kind, spiritually mature individuals and frankly that isn’t always the case. They are friendly and easy to talk to. They do a lot and make it look easy which it is not.

Is volunteering for Shantideva Center flexible to your needs?

Yes, but I do have a lot of other solid commitments that make is difficult to volunteer as much as I would like. Plus not being tech savvy leaves me a little lost in terms of helping.