Dharma Journeys : The Journey is the Goal : By Mary Fugiel

I started meditating in my twenties with a good friend, who was an avid practitioner. After moving, marrying, having children, I called my friend and asked about a center where I could receive instruction and meditate with others. She joked that there were probably more exciting things to learn!

But she did recommend the Chicago Dharmadhatu (Chicago Shambhala’s name in the nineties) in Lakeview. It was a challenging commute as I lived with my family in LaPorte, Indiana, but I came often to take classes and sit.

I travelled with our younger son, Pete, to Karme Choling to be in the Level I of Shambhala Training. We both enjoyed the friendliness of the place. That was over 20 years ago and I’ve attended many programs both locally and at centers in our community. In my view, these have encouraged me to keep examining my life and concepts with more awareness. They have helped me in my attempts to be more patient, gentle, and precise in my relationships with family, friends, fellow meditators.

The greatest influence on my study and practice has been from the many meditation masters (especially Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche) and the senior teachers that I’ve been in programs with over the past decade. Their excellent advice and example has promoted discipline and exertion; as well as the courage to face the many changes that arise from aging, illness, and work problems.

I still aspire to create enlightened society and awaken to the ordinary magic of being human. I’m grateful to my teachers and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche for giving out these teachings and of course, to the community of meditators who’ve walked the path of Shambhala Buddhism with me. The journey is the goal and being on this path allows me to walk mindfully everyday.

-Mary Fugiel