Food and Drinks in the Hall

At Durango Dharma Center, we strive to maintain an environment conducive to spiritual practice, meditation, and inner reflection. To ensure the comfort and focus of all practitioners, we ask that practitioners consume snacks and other foods away from the meditation hall.

Beverages in securely covered containers, such as water bottles or lidded cups, are permitted within the meditation hall. We ask practitioners to ensure that their beverages are securely covered to prevent spills or accidents.

Groups of twenty or less people who wish to socialize over a potluck or similar activity may eat together in the meditation hall keeping food confined to a small area in the back, southern corner of the hall and away from cushions. Please pre-approve potlucks with mentors or board members. We ask that the hall be left clean and free of debris after any such activity. We ask groups to replace any chairs moved for their event to be returned to their regular positions. Please also clean and return any DDC folding tables used to the maintenance closet where they are kept and leave the kitchen cleaned and tidy.

Service Dogs and Allergen-Sensitive Policy

We are committed to maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all individuals who visit our center. As part of this commitment, we strive to create an atmosphere that is scent-free, clean, and accommodating to those with allergies and sensitivities. In line with these principles, we have established the following policy regarding pets and service animals.

We wish to uphold a no pet/service dog policy within the premises. Service dogs, even those trained to assist individuals with disabilities, may carry dander, fur, or other allergens that could potentially compromise the health and comfort of other visitors. We understand the importance of service animals to individuals with disabilities; however, we kindly request that service animals be left outside of the premises.

Exceptions to this policy may be made in rare cases where an individual’s disability-related need for a service dog outweighs the potential impact on others’ health and safety. Such exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved in advance by the Durango Dharma Center Board of directors.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a scent-free and allergen-sensitive environment.

Health and Well-Being for Dharma Center Attendees

At the Durango Dharma Center, we prioritize the health and well-being of our community members, volunteers, and visitors. We utilize HEPA filters and monitor carbon dioxide levels to manage ventilation as best we can to ensure optimal air quality for your comfort and safety.

Please Stay Home if You Are Sick:

We strongly encourage individuals who are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or any other signs of illness to refrain from attending any in-person events or gatherings at the Durango Dharma Center until they have fully recovered.

Remote Participation Options:

For individuals who are unable to attend in-person due to illness, susceptibility to infections, or other health-related concerns, we offer remote participation options such as online streaming of teachings, virtual meditation sessions, and other digital resources to ensure continued access to spiritual guidance and community support.

Support for Vulnerable Populations:

We recognize the needs of vulnerable populations, and encourage those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions to wear a mask to attend the Durango Dharma Center or to take advantage of our remote options.

Bulletin Board Management

The bulletin boards within our community are communication platforms designed to enhance member engagement and facilitate the exchange of relevant information.

Board members monitor the bulletin boards so they may remain organized and clutter-free, fostering an environment conducive to effective communication. Board members may remove outdated or inappropriate materials.

If you wish to post something on one of our bulletin boards, please contact a Dharma Council or board member.

Appropriate materials include:

Flyers advertising Sangha member events and information
Requests or offers for ride-sharing, housing, or pet sitting within the sangha community.
Non-Sangha flyers and non-DDC sponsored promotions may be considered for display by board members on a case-by-case basis as they appear.

Materials that are not a good fit include:

Political materials and promotions.
Commercial flyers and advertisements.

Intra-DDC Programming through Kalyana Mitta Groups

Kalyana mitta (spiritual friends) groups are welcome to use the Dharma Center for their activities. They may invite guest speakers from the community in consultation with their Dharma Council mentor.

The group will be responsible for all aspects of hosting the speaker, including any monetary collections, which should not use the DDC website. Groups can email their own dedicated lists about the guest speaker opportunity. If broader communications go out to the sangha, such as in a newsletter, they will be clearly marked as hosted by the group.

Requests to start new kalyana mitta groups, community meditation groups, and peer-led sitting groups are welcomed by the Dharma Council. A minimum of two experienced peer leaders is required to start a new group. Group leaders must already be part of the DDC community and take full responsibility for opening, closing, and tidying up the center. The Dharma Council will field and approve standard requests and will communicate with the board about any new groups forming, seeking discussion and input for unusual or novel groups.

Community Partnership Events

The DDC is open to hosting larger events that serve our mission and the sustainability of our organization in at least one of the following ways:

Support meditators’ practices of the Dharma
Support social engagement and deepen the sangha
Foster community partnerships with kindred organizations
Provide outreach and connection to the broader community
Serve as a fundraiser

(Examples: Past events have included the Michael Franti mini-concert and talk, Jennifer Berezan’s concert, the community dharma art show, yoga fundraisers, and a one-woman play fundraiser.)

To determine if an event is a good fit for the DDC, we will consider:

Bandwidth:

A minimum of 3 DDC volunteers should be enthusiastic about the event. We will assess the number of additional volunteers and DDC facility resources needed, and whether these needs compete with Dharma programming.

Community Support:

Emphasis will be placed on ideas coming from within our community.

Clear Benefit:

What is the benefit to the sangha? If it is a fundraiser, will the possible income justify the resources expended?

Timing:

Will the event timing conflict with planned or potential Dharma programming?

Process: