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What follows is the Dharma Biography of Asheyana Secular Buddhism founder, Exertion River.
Exertion River first came into embrace with the Dharma in 2002 CE, connecting with the Shambhala Buddhist lineage in San Francisco, CA.
Soon moving in with his meditation instructor, Dharma Cloud of Shamatha, Exertion River quit his livelihood, began volunteering at San Francisco Dharmadhatu as the Internal Communications Coordinator, and took refuge in March 2003 with Tensho David Schneider.
Exertion River's training with the Shambhala Buddhist lineage would continue until 2018. During this time, Shambhala Buddhism was presented as a 'secular and sacred' path--a modern-day translation of ancient wisdom into ethical and conscious living.
In 2004, Exertion River attended his first month-long group retreat at Karmê Chöling and soon after signed on as residential staff at the Dharma center, working to support the center's web site. Exertion River received Mahayana vows from Acharya Gaylon Ferguson and undertook his first solitary retreat of 10 days near the end of 2004.
During his time at Karmê Chöling, Exertion River received Dharma teachings from teachers such as Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Traleg Rinpoche, Khandro Rinpoche, John Rockwell, Gaylon Ferguson, Suzann Duquette, and others.
In 2005, Exertion River entered the Shambhala Vajrayana path having been accepted as a student by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Over the next two years, Exertion River would complete ngöndro and receive empowerment twice for the Shiwa Ökar practice.
In 2006, Exertion River attended a month-long Mahamudra and Maitri Retreat at Karmê Chöling and coordinated a 10-day Shambhala Vajrayana intensive at the end of the year.
In spring of 2007, Exertion River departed Karmê Chöling for Burlington, VT.
At the end of 2007, Exertion River departed Burlington, VT to stay with family, eventually moving to his hometown of Austin, TX and restoring his livelihood in 2008.
In 2009, Exertion River accepted the position of Meditation Practice Coordinator at Austin Shambhala Center. He also received lineage Meditation Instructor training at Karmê Chöling. Exertion River also began advanced retreat in 2009 under the leadership of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Advanced retreat practice would continue until 2011, and then in 2014.
In 2010, Exertion River began co-leading a regular class at the Austin Shambhala Center called Conversations About Buddhism. Later in the year, Exertion River received Shambhala Training Assistant Director training at Karmê Chöling and accepted the position of Austin Shambhala Center Conflict Resolution Practice Coordinator, or Rusung.
In 2011, Exertion River's first article was published: "Surfing the Tides of Meditation in Austin" in the Shambhala Times community news magazine.
Exertion River's work in the Rusung role and in offering introductory meditation instruction at the Austin Shambhala Center would continue until 2015. During this time, Exertion River received the Enlightened Society Treatise and accepted the Shambhala and Enlightened Society vows.
In 2014, Exertion River married his fellow Dharma practitioner wife, Enlightenment Moon Lake, in a ceremony at the Austin Shambhala Center.
In 2015, Exertion River and Enlightenment Moon Lake departed Austin, TX for Albuquerque, NM.
From 2015 through 2017, Exertion River volunteered and offered introductory meditation instruction at the Albuquerque Shambhala Center. During this time, Exertion River also undertook solitary retreat at Dorje Khyung Dzong.
From 2017 through 2020, Exertion River accepted the role of Financial Director, or Chagdzö, of Albuquerque Shambhala Center, eventually advising for a controlled shutdown of the Albuquerque Shambhala Center in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic spread worldwide.
In 2021, Exertion River and Enlightenment Moon Lake departed Albuquerque, NM for Taos, NM.
Moving to Taos, NM in 2021 marked a pivot in the Dharma path of Exertion River. The Shambhala Community had been splintering since 2018 due to internal pressures. Exertion River utilized the 2021 - 2023 period to rest and reflect upon teachings and transmissions received over the past 20 years.
In July 2023, Exertion River received a vision for a secular form of Buddhism that would come to express itself as Asheyana Secular Buddhism.
From July 2023, Exertion River began presenting the burgeoning Asheyana Secular Buddhism vision online. Through June 2024, Exertion River presented monthly introductory meditation instruction at his local library.
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Asheyana is a distinct Buddhist doctrine based upon the Dharma experience of Exertion River.
While the spirit, vitality, and insight developed over Exertion River's 20y+ study and practice in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition is applied wholeheartedly to the contemplation and expression of Asheyana, teachings particular to the Shambhala Buddhist tradition are not offered by Exertion River.
Exertion River currently resides in Taos, NM, studying Buddhism and practicing Asheyana.
v1.1 : 2025-04-06 - Exertion River
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