Community

Our community is diverse, capable, and heartfelt. Our members and friends include dedicated senior teachers who have walked the Shambhala Buddhist path for many years, and enthusiastic newcomers who are just discovering our teachings on realizing basic goodness and building enlightened society.

Who We Are

Jan Snyder is our Group Coordinator for the Gainesville Shambhala sangha. A clinical psychologist in private practice for over 30 years, Jan has been actively engaged in the Shambhala community since 2007 and attended Rigden Abhisheka in 2017.   She is authorized as a Shambhala Guide and has been certified to teach several Shambhala classes. Jan lives on 3 1/2 acres in SW Gainesville with her husband, several standard poodles…and 25 chickens.  She enjoys kayaking, biking, swimming, and hiking (most any activity in nature!).

Nora Wiser is our Practice & Education Coordinator.  A small business owner/operator for 20 years, she retired in 2012 and now spends time teaching yoga, serving the Gainesville Shambhala sangha in several capacities, and facilitating courses for Shambhala Online.  Nora started on the Shambhala Path in 2007 and attended Rigden Abhisheka in 2017.   Authorized as a Shambhala Guide and an Assistant Director; she is also certified to teach several Shambhala classes.  She enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, kayaking and yoga.  Nora and her husband Randy are “snowbirds” dividing their time between Gainesville, Florida, and Traverse City, Michigan.

and

Sangha gatherings:

Shambhala Training Level V with Nick Kranz: March 2-4, 2018

Shambhala Day – Year of the Earth Dog observed: Febuary 17, 2018

Shambhala Training Level IV with Paula Bickford: January 20-21, 2018

Happier at Work with Shastri Gayle Van Gils: January 13

Contentment in Everyday Life with Jan Snyder and Nora Wiser: Dec 2-4

Shambhala Training Level III with Will Ryken: Nov 4 – 5

Shambhala Training Level II with Shastri Brett Ferrigan:  Sept 30 – Oct 1

Dharma Night: August 11, 2017

Dharma Night: June 9, 2017

Level I with Rachel Faro: June 2-4, 2017

Level V with Shastri Ferrigan: May 5-7, 2017

Shambhala Day Celebration: March 5, 2017

Shambhala Training – Level IV: February 11-12 with Paula Bickford

Open House – February 5, 2017

Mala Workshop – February 4, 2017 with Toni Miller

Shambhala Training – Level III: November 11-13, 2016 with Richard White

An evening with Peace Activist and Author Scott Brown:  October 18: 2016

Shambhala Training – Level II: September 17-18, 2016 with Travis May

Shambhala Training – Level I: June 17-19, 2016 with Shastri Brett Ferrigan

Pottery Outing:  June 5, 2016

Basic Goodness 3:  May, 2016 (Teachers: Will Ryken and Paula Bickford)

Open House:  April 16th, 2016

Moving weekend.  Feb 26th – 28th, 2016

Basic Goodness I – Who Am I?   January, 2016 with Shasti Gayle & G Van Gils

Talk by Paula Bickford from the St. Petersburg Shambhala centre, November 29, 2015, on unconventional protection in the face of fear.

Dharma Night on November 13, 2015

Ikebana Class with Brooke Pohl September 19-20, 2015

Wisdom in Everyday Life October 23-25, 2015

Dharma Night October 9, 2015