What does becoming a member of sangha mean to you? (These are a few of the responses from local and remote members and friends taking part in our BCSS community)

"What I get out of Sangha is the unrelenting honesty we have for each other. For the sake of not helping us feed our own neuroses. I didn't have any logistical ideas about deepening our connection, but my experience with Sangha is that whether I'm aware of it or not, separation is something I make up. Before sangha, during sangha, and after - you're still with me. So that's a connection...If awareness and love are there, Sangha is there...”  

“Membership in sangha is a point on one’s path. It’s like taking refuge in the relative world sangha.”

 “As I continue to attend Zoom sangha, I feel more connected to Tim and my fellow sangha sisters and brothers. I come Monday nights to learn and grow, as Tim says all together.”

 “Becoming a member of sangha is a little refugyish. It’s a personal, open-heart connection to the idea of community.”

 “It means being with Tim and all the open-hearted and open-minded people who find him and all that unfolds along the way.”

 “If someone would like to become a member of a gathering of others as an embrace of the breadth of the ornament of generosity, then joining a sangha is a significant point on the path.”

 “Becoming a member of the Buddhist Center is a little like pondering personal aspirations. It’s sort of like choosing to join a sangha as a chance to see what kind of friend, supporter, sharer, and helper I can be within a group setting.”

 “The Buddhist Center welcomes everyone to be a member of sangha. The teachings are given whole-heartedly to whoever shows up.”

 “I guess for me, joining the sangha is at a basic level wanting to see more of who I really am, and a practice of noticing all the ways I project what I’m not onto others. I need a lot of help and will commit to recurring donations to assure teachings and this sangha continue.”

“It means being a part of a like-minded group of people. The teachings from Tim and the small group discussion educate me and feed my soul.”

 “The meaning of membership is a personal fulfillment created by each person who joins.”

 “I again and again feel the message that all are welcome here no matter where they are on the path. I want to be part of this.”

 “I want to nurture an open heart and mind. I want to do this with others. I became a member to help grow this in me.”

 “Membership to BCSS is a personal, heart connection to the teachings through Tim and everyone who shows up on Monday nights.”

 “The sangha is maybe the most important dharma. It means everything to me.”

 “Becoming a member of sangha means committing to remain an active part of this community of dharma students, pledging to get to know and support them as I am able, and asking for and accepting their help in following the path. Just like me….”

“Joining the sangha was a way of strengthening my practice; committing to the profound teachings, and deepening my connection with others on the path! It continues to be an opportunity to embody the 3 jewels! I love supporting a community that holds the space for us all to learn and grow together.”

“I feel it’s home for my heart.”

“Being a member of the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs means to me that I am offered an opportunity to:

1. To receive teachings from teachers steeped in an ancient wisdom tradition

2. To tame my mind

3. To become a part of something bigger than me which allows me to help others to grow and attain some measure of sanity

4. To have a spiritual home

5. To bear witness to the lives of my sangha brothers and sisters within the context of a sacred outlook

6.  To be witnessed in turn

7.  To practice in community

8.  To have a generous, loving source available to which to direct life, path or practice questions

9.  To be held tenderly”