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Aims and Objectives / Executive / History / Current Status

Aims & Objectives

Crystal Staff is a charitable organization based in Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada. It is an affiliate of a larger worldwide group of Buddhist groups and Dharma Centres whose root teacher was Namgyal Rinpoche (Ananda Bodhi). The teaching range of this tradition is eclectic, with a foundation in Tibetan Vajrayana and Theravadin Buddhist practices, but also includes explorations of Western Mystery traditions

as well as many modern western scientific, mystical, and psychological developments and studies. Crystal Staff’s objectives are to support development of peace, awareness, understanding, luminosity and compassion by:

Teaching and practice of meditation from a variety of meditative traditions
Study of psychology, science, art and craft, movement, healing systems, and related explorations according to the tradition of all schools of Buddhism, by providing regular meditation sessions and access to teaching of Dharma (dharma: sanskrit="Truth")
Promoting study and practice of oriental and occidental philosophical and religious traditions in general, by organizing and providing access to study groups and special programs
Establishing and promoting facilities for the study and practice of Dharma. Providing facilities for and paying honorariums to and expenses of resident and visiting Dharma teachers and members of various religious orders
Providing libraries
Promoting translations and publications pertaining to the study of Dharma
Preserving relics, images and sacred objects associated with Buddhist and other religious traditions

Executive

2006-2007 Crystal Staff Executive

Chairperson Tryg Schonning

Treasurer Pat Evans

Secretary Karen Meredith

Member at Large Deborah McLaughlin

To contact the executive send email to info@crystalstaff.org with Subject:to CS Executive

History

Students of Namgyal Rinpoche have lived in theOttawa area since the early 1970s, first establishing a community presence in the Wakefield and Shawville areas of Quebec,and later centering activities in the city of Ottawa. Thanks to the early encouragement of Tony Albright (Sonam Gyatso) and resident teacher

Tarchin Hearn, students started a Dharma house in the Carleton University area which provided focus for the activities. The urban house began auspiciously by hosting a visit to Ottawa by His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kargyu School of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism in 1977 during his second trip to Canada. We also benefitted over the years from numerous visits by our root teacher, Namgyal Rinpoche, and teacher residencies and visits from many of Rinpoche’s senior students.

In the late 1970s the group of students decided to formally establish a Study Society and obtain charitable status. It was at this time that the name "Crystal Staff" was adopted. The organization is dedicated to the uplifting of beings. Our goal is, for those beings seeking help, to offer a "staff" that is crystal clear, happy, and awake. Over time the group has organized various teaching venues, at times owning property, or renting Dharma houses where teachers were accommodated and classes and retreats were conducted.

Current Status

Currently Crystal Staff is a virtual organization, meeting and conducting our work in members’ homes or securing public lecture places for larger audiences. We maintain contact with our members and friends through both a phone and e-mail message system. Our website is updated frequently to notify interested "surfers" of upcoming events. Should you wish to subscribe to our message system, please send an email to info@crystalstaff.org and put "subscribe" in the Subject. We’ll add your email address to our e-tree to receive all our notices. We encourage membership and establish relationships with many interested friends of our group. Support for our activities has always depended on the generosity of members and friends.

There is an annual General Meeting (usually May/June).
Memberships are due at the beginning of each year.

Members in good standing may

Be nominated to the Board of Directors (usually after holding membership for one year)

Vote for nominees to the Board of Directors

Present topics for discussion and decision and

Participate in the discussion on and development of various issues concerning the work of Crystal Staff

The Board of Directors is responsible for the administration of the organization. It consists of 4 to 7 members who meet at least 6 times each year to handle Crystal Staff business.

Should you need to reach the Board, use the Crystal Staff general e-mail address,
Subject - "to the Board's Attention"