2010 Scorpion Seal Assemblies: Frequently Asked Questions
I. Second Year Participants
When and where will the second year assemblies be held in 2010?
Karme Choling: June 3-16
Shambhala Mountain Center: June 28-July 11
Dechen Choling: August 9-22
Dorje Denma Ling: August 18-29
Is the second year program a requirement for continuing on? Would people who attended a 2009 assembly be able to purchase the Profound text anyways, without attending the second year program?
The second year Scorpion Seal assembly is required before attending the third year assembly. Everyone must receive the full lung for the Profound text at a second year assembly in order to purchase and study it. If unable to attend the second year assembly in 2010, there will be others scheduled in 2011.
Will I need to apply to the Office of Practice and Education to attend one of the second year programs? Do I need to have completed the practice requirements in order to attend?
No, there is no formal application process for the 2010 year 2 assemblies. The Sakyong encourages everyone who attended a Scorpion Seal Assembly in 2009 to come. He elaborated that people should be well on their way to completing the required practice and trying hard to fulfill any individual conditions placed on your 2009 acceptance. To participate in a 2010 second year Scorpion Seal Assembly, please register directly with the particular practice centre that you wish to attend. Their websites should be updated soon to accept registrations for the second year assemblies.
Is there a registration deadline for the second year programs?
You are encouraged to register at least two months in advance of the program. If you wait too long to register, the practice centres may not be able to provide you with a space, or with the accommodations that you need. Early registration gives us time to accommodate your needs as well as we can.
Do we need to schedule a meeting with an acharya, like first year participants?
This meeting is not required for second year participants. However, if you feel the need to speak with an acharya about some aspect of your Scorpion Seal practice path, or have questions about whether you will be able to commit to the Sakyong and Scorpion Seal path in the way that the Sakyong is asking of us, please follow the procedures for scheduling an acharya interview :
http://www.shambhala.org/programs/SA/
Please do not contact individual acharyas directly.
Could I attend the first year program again, if I feel that I have not made enough progress in my practice and understanding?
Priority will be given to first time participants. After some time, if there is space, we will announce that second time participants are welcome to register.
I have registered with Shambhala Mountain Center for the July 18-30 program, and given a deposit. Some of us may need either 1) a refund, or 2) to transfer our registration fees to the Shambhala Mountain Center 2nd year program. How do we go about this, in the most effective way for ourselves and for Shambhala Mountain Center?
Shambhala Mountain Center is currently working out their system for handling these changes. They will communicate directly with you, within one week. Please do not contact the Office of Practice and Education or Shambhala Mountain Centre, as we need this time to work out the best protocols for these transactions.
I registered early with Shambhala Mountain Center because I wanted to be sure to secure the kind of accommodations that I need in order to participate. Now that I will be switching to a second year assembly, what are the chances that I will be allocated the same kind of accommodations?
We feel confident that we will be able to accommodate everyone at the four second-year assemblies, providing that people register at least two months in advance. However, each center has different facilities. Priority at the second year assemblies for indoor accommodations will be given to 1) people with health requirements, 2) people who already reserved indoor accommodations at Shambhala Mountain Center for the July 18-30 program. Any remaining indoor accommodations will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Who can staff a second year Scorpion Seal Assembly?
As with the 2009 assemblies, participants at the second year assemblies will be eligible to apply for staff positions. To apply for a staff position: http://www.shambhala.org/programs/staff/
May people who have already attended a Scorpion Seal Assembly in 2009, apply to staff the first year assembly (July 18-30) at SMC?
Unfortunately not. There are a small number of specialized, key, staff positions that will be filled with people who attended in 2009. The Office of Practice and Education will invite these individuals directly.
Will there be childcare provided at the second year Scorpion Seal Assemblies?
As you know, the Scorpion Seal practice and transmissions take place within a strict retreat container, including four practice sessions each day (from 7 am until 9 or 10 pm at night), and silence for most of the retreat. The schedule and demands will be much the same for the second year assemblies. This is quite a difficult arrangement for families, particularly with younger children. As such, childcare will not be provided on-site for the 2010 assemblies. Families are urged to find other childcare arrangements.
II. First year program: Shambhala Mountain Centre, July 18-30
How do I apply to attend the 2010 Scorpion Seal Assembly for first time participants?
Apply (to the Office of Practice and Education) online at: www.shambhala.org/programs/advanced.php
Please read the page carefully prior to applying, and prior to your interview with an acharya (see next question). It has important information about the commitment that is expected of students entering the Scorpion Seal path.
Please do not book airline tickets until you have received notification that you have been accepted. The deadline for application is March 15, 2010. We are making this a firm deadline so that we have enough time to plan and accommodate participants to the best of our abilities.
Is everyone required to have an interview with an acharya prior to attending?
The Sakyong has asked all first year applicants to meet with an acharya as part of the application process. These interviews will provide an opportunity to have a personal conversation about your path and practice, and entering the Scorpion Seal stream.
All interviews must take place by May 15, at the latest. Please refer to the procedures for scheduling an acharya interview: http://www.shambhala.org/programs/SA/.
We ask you NOT to contact individual acharyas yourself.
What can I do to have my application reviewed sooner than later? I have to make plans far in advance.
Please take care to fill out your application completely (photo, application fee, answer all questions etc), as soon as the site is open. www.shambhala.org/programs/advanced.php
The Office of Practice and Education will need to consider the acharya’s comments following your interview, in order to decide on applications. Therefore, the sooner you complete your interview and application, the sooner we will be able to review your application.
If you have an urgent need to know of your acceptance, please contact the Office of Practice and Education to prioritize the review of your application.
Should people register with Shambhala Mountain Center BEFORE they receive their acceptance letter for the program?
Yes, please register with Shambhala Mountain Center, with the understanding that attendance at the program is conditional upon being accepted by the Office of Practice and Education.
Is it true that, owing to advanced registrations, that there are no more accommodations available for the July 18-30 program at SMC?
Since the second year students will no longer be participating in the July 18-30 program registration has been reopened.
If I was accepted to the assembly in 2009 but was not able to attend, do I need to reapply for 2010?
Yes, please. The applications have changed for 2010 and we will not be able to transfer any 2009 applications into the 2010 application site. www.shambhala.org/programs/advanced.php
Who can staff the first year Scorpion Seal assembly (July 18-30) at SMC?
Generally, the staff positions will be filled with first time participants. To apply for a staff position: http://www.shambhala.org/programs/staff/
There are a small number of specialized, key, staff positions that will be filled with people who attended in 2009. The Office of Practice and Education will invite these individuals directly.
May people who have already attended a Scorpion Seal Assembly in 2009 apply to attend the first year assembly again in 2010 as a participant?
First priority will be given to first time participants. After some time, if there is space, we will announce that second time participants are welcome to register.
Will there be childcare provided at the Scorpion Seal Assembly?
The Scorpion Seal practice and transmissions take place within a strict retreat container, including four practice sessions each day (from 7 am until 9 or 10 pm at night), and silence for most of the retreat. This is not a tenable situation for families, particularly with younger children. As such, childcare will not be provided on-site for the 2010 assembly. Families are urged to find other childcare arrangements.
III. Scorpion Seal Assemblies in 2011
Does the Sakyong envision doing four Scorpion Seal Assemblies in 2011 (at each of the major practice centres), after his retreat?
Yes.
Will all of them include year 1, year 2 and year 3 assemblies?
Not necessarily. Some of them might be focused on a particular year.
