We'd like to begin the post by saying that FS is going through a big change. A lot of change in how things are done staff-wise. As of now, Admin duties are going to be done by myself. Daphne has stepped down for the time being to do regular moderator duties. Our staff has also been shrunken to only a few mods.Current mods are:CazMonkeymindDaphneRight now we are streamlining a process that will only improve the quality of Freesangha as a regular member. Mods will now have a TOS of their own, and will have to abide by rules just like you.
I trust also that you remember, in those tough moments, that this is really important to the Dharma everywhere, but especially in the West.
QuoteI trust also that you remember, in those tough moments, that this is really important to the Dharma everywhere, but especially in the West. How marvelous! I am in the Far East and often wonder if my struggles and travails, and my efforts to overcome obstacles in a spirit of compassion and equanimity are actually benefiting anyone at all. I get discouraged and often feel like giving up. Thank you for this timely piece of information!
I'm slightly confused by the idea that Mod have a different TOS than members...shouldn't the same rules apply to everyone on a forum like this?
Gee has anyone stopped to think about the merit involved in running a forum like this? If the benefits of merely wishing people well are large, just think of the benefits of giving people access to a Sangha! Man, you'd need a semitrailer or something to haul it all away...[/size]
Something interesting happened for me at this most recent meditation retreat. I signed up to sit the course as a meditator: to practice Noble Silence, 8 precepts, and to sit 10 hours a day in exploration of samadhi, panna, equanimity, anicca, dukkha, anatta. A few days before the course, the organizers contacted me and asked if I was willing to be a server for the course (work in the kitchen and behind the scenes, preparing food for the meditators). [This type of work is considered a great honor in this tradition, but it is an entirely different practice. Servers, out of necessity, are allowed to speak with each other and are focused on practicing Noble Speech, the Parami, and the Brahmavihara. Although the job still allows for plenty of meditation time, servers are not able to achieve as deep of meditation states as those sitting in Noble Silence.] I agreed to be a server. Then the organizers contacted me and asked me if I would be willing to pick up the teacher and drive him to the course. I agreed to that too. During the 4 hour drive, the teacher asked me if I would be willing to act as his manager for the course, be his liaison with the students and the other servers. I agreed to that, even though I had never been in that role before. [Although ironically it is very similar to what I do in my career in my mundane life.] The students sat in Noble Silence, and were only permitted to speak with me or the teacher. They asked me for bandaids or ibuprofen, or informed me if they needed special accommodations, or requested a private meeting with the teacher. I provided for their needs or made arrangements with the teacher, as needed. Two different people became frustrated with their practice and expressed a desire to leave, and each time I brought them to the teacher and after hearing his advice they decided to stay. Although the job seemed very simple, students were extremely grateful. To be in Noble Silence, but to have a personal attendant who will help with one's needs, is very reassuring. And in that moment, I got it. I might not be an expert in this tradition of vipassana, but by being of service to others who are in practice of the Dhamma, I generate a lot of merit for myself and for all beings. Performing this role of the manager generated more peaceful feelings than 1000 hours of meditation. So my goal is to act in my role as moderator at FreeSangha with the same spirit as the manager of the meditation course. If all I do here at FS is keep the trolls out so that the members can have a space to safely discuss the Dharma, that simple act will be of major benefit for us all. If I have no idea what a Kali Mahakala is or how one would use it in a Tibetan Buddhist practice, well that is of no consequence to my role as moderator.
We are a committed team
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Topic: Changes in Freesangha Staff structure. (Read 694 times)
