The Shambhala Board

Dear Shambhala Community,

We would like to share with you an update on the Shambhala Board’s recent activity and the initiatives of Shambhala Global Services. We affirm as a guiding principle our commitment to Shambhala as an inclusive society, welcoming all students within the dharmic streams of the Sakyong lineages – past, present, and future.

We appreciate hearing from all of you in our community and continue to update the questions we are receiving in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section, now found under the “Community” tab on shambhala.org, or through this link.

We look forward to working with everyone on all of the possibilities and opportunities ahead and taking this journey with you!

In The Vision of Brilliance and Compassion,

The Shambhala Board
Mark Blumenfeld
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Update From The Office of Practice and Education

In March, the Shambhala Board sent a letter to all members about how Practice & Education (P&E) is moving forward with a new collaborative decision making structure, and how our practice and study path will be shaped. A similar letter was also sent to all Shambhala Educators and Center and Group Leaders with more details about the coming structure. All members were sent an invitation to Phase 1 of these conversations. Please take advantage of the opportunity to join a call and share your heart and priorities for how P&E can move forward. The Board’s Letter to the Community regarding P&E, and a growing number of other resources related to the P&E Refresh can be found here.

Recently, the Office of Practice & Education sent a survey to P&E and Shambhala Leaders to learn about the specific training needs of our Centers and Groups. We hope to address the most urgent needs in a fast-tracked training program in the coming months.

We have also created a new “Shambhala Practice & Education FAQs” document. Please click here to see answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Recruiting New Shambhala Board Members

We are in the process of forming a Board Advisory Nominating Group (BANG) comprising members of our community and representatives of the Board who will recommend candidates to serve three year terms to the Shambhala Board of Directors.

Any Shambhala member may submit an application to be on the Shambala Board to the BANG, or submit their recommendation for candidates through the Shambhala Board Applicant Webpage here.

The BANG will assess the applicants against the requirements of the Board job description (available here), conduct video interviews, and make recommendations for nomination to the Board. We hope to complete this process by September.

All individuals interested in serving on the Shambhala Board should fully complete an application through the web page above. If you wish to nominate another person, please confirm that the nominee is interested in being considered for Board service, and only complete the nominating portion of the application form. Please note that the nominee will also need to complete the main portion of the application form as indicated above and supply a resume.

All individuals applying or nominating others for Board membership should first review the job description, included here, to understand the responsibilities and desired qualifications for new Board Members. The Board is looking for individuals from diverse backgrounds with an understanding of Shambhala principles and commitment to an inclusive society. Ideal candidates will have leadership skills and backgrounds in one or more of the following areas: management, non-profits, finance, legal, education, communications, organizational culture and care, psychology, and Buddhist and Shambhala practices. Board Members serve on a voluntary, non-paid basis.

Community Catalyst Grants

On April 28, the Shambhala Board and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) invited Centres and Groups to apply for a catalyst grant to help support and strengthen their community through practice, healing processes, outreach, or other programs. Please see the invitation here. Shambhala is offering grants up to $1,500 for community projects that strengthen and support local Centers and Groups and their communities. The application deadline for the first round of granting is June 30, 2022. The total funding available is $50,000, and projects will be reviewed and grants approved on a rolling basis.

Once your Centre or Group has agreed on a project,  simply complete and submit this short Grant Application. If you have questions, please send an email to grants@shambhala.org.

Update From The Office of Care & Conduct

The Offices of Community Care and Conduct and Practice and Education would like to invite you to participate in the upcoming Code of Conduct presentation: May 28, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Mountain Time).

These presentations have been offered to the community since April of last year, and have proven to be very beneficial and of interest to our community. Since then, we have held 11 presentations with different parts of the globe, and we gathered a variety of feedback from each of them that are important and have been included for consideration in the review process.

By offering these presentations and facilitating an open conversation, we aim to go over the new documents of policies and its procedures, as well as answer any questions that may arise during the presentation.

We take some time to read together the Shambhala Code of Conduct: The Practices of Good Conduct and Protecting the Space for Everyone, as these “reminders” serve as a basis for contemplation about our own behavior and conduct towards others, not only in our community but in the world, and are also a very good opening for discussing the other policies and procedures documents. Visit the Code of Conduct Hub for more information.

Since the Code of Conduct applies to each one of us, it is very important that we understand how Shambhala responds to misconduct and what to do when concerning behaviour occurs.

We look forward to having you in one of these upcoming presentations! Please click below to register:

Saturday, May 28, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Mountain Time):
https://shambhalaonline.org/calendar-details/?id=532726

If you have any questions, please write to us at codeofconduct@shambhala.org. We are happy to support you!

Update on Board Conversations With Shambhala Leaders

During the months of March and April, the Shambhala Board engaged in 15 calls with over 200 leaders from all regions around the world. These calls have been an invaluable way for us to more deeply understand that each local community is in a slightly, or even radically, different place in terms of their community needs and inspirations. One of the results from these meetings is the Board and Executive Leadership Team offering the Community Catalyst Grants as a way for local communities to determine for themselves the best way to heal, gather strength, and move forward.

We are also hosting webinars with leaders in the next couple of months regarding Centre and Group affiliate agreements with Shambhala, and will also be hosting a specific call for Shambhala Centres that own property, so we can develop shared agreements on decision making around property. We will be inviting leaders to consider local needs and concerns regarding the critical relationship between Centres and Groups and Shambhala Global Services, so we can collectively explore ways to go forward as a community. We will also be inviting leaders to engage their colleagues and community members in conversations about this over the coming months.

You can click here to learn more about hosting your own local community conversation, access a conversation manual, or get support from facilitators to consult with you or host your local conversations.

Here is a link to the Affiliate Agreement Areas of Interest. This memorandum presents the many areas involved in a working relationship between Shambhala Centres and Groups and Shambhala Global Services.

Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective

The Shambhala Board has recognized the need to invest in support for Shambhala community members in honouring and protecting our sacred living environment. This is long overdue, and we were delighted to announce the hire of Irene Woodard, Touching the Earth Co-founder and Coordinator, as a member of the Shambhala Global Services Team in June 2022, and look forward to supporting the work of the Touching the Earth Collective in the years ahead. The work includes some of the following activities and initiatives: integrating into the fabric of Shambhala culture through building membership to the Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective, supporting Shambhala Land Centers environmental initiatives, a vibrant monthly newsletter, regular online “Earth Salon” programs, Planet A Book Club, producing and hosting all Shambhala Sunday Gathering Nyida Days, (Children’s Day, The Spring Equinox, Mid-Summer’s Day, and the Harvest of Peace), in order to bring the essential elements of the earth to all Shambhala holidays, supporting Shambhala Land Centers environmental initiatives, and fostering liaisons with like minded environmental faith groups outside Shambhala such as GreenFaith.  It is our aspiration that with this new sustained support, the Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective will continue to thrive and protect the earth.

Shambhala Online Update

Compassion for Ukraine – Daily Tonglen Gathering

Shambhala Online is continuing this practice gathering on Zoom, with sessions now offered on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Join the Shambhala community as we rouse compassion for those suffering from violence due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 11:00 AM Eastern – Click Here for a Time Zone Converter.

Shambhala Online Course Library

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Shambhala Online Course Library.

You can discover innovative and exciting Shambhala Online courses from past to present, featuring some of today’s leading teachers of Buddhism in the West, such as Pema Chödrön, Arawana Hayashi, John Rockwell, Judith Simmer-Brown, and many more. These courses explore topics from eating mindfully, to walking the bodhisattva path, to working with protector principle. Courses are added to the library regularly, so look out for announcements as new teachings become available. Enjoy just one course, or explore an entire series that leads you through foundational Shambhala and Buddhist teachings. It’s all there for you to deepen your practice. The Shambhala Online Course Library welcomes you!

Shambhala Garden Share 2022

Join your fellow gardeners for the Shambhala Online Garden Share, beginning May 31, 2022.  With guidance from master gardener Jan Enthoven by way of seasonal videos, and group participation, you can be part of co-creating a virtual gardening community through sharing your knowledge, photos, videos, poetry, and song. You can also enjoy the support of tutorials and sharing gardening advice with others. Fundamentally, this ongoing gathering is about sharing the joy of being outside and getting your hands stuck in the dirt. Find out more here.

Shambhala Sunday Gatherings

Weekly Sunday Gatherings for the global Shambhala community are a place where we can practice meditation together, hear dharma teachings from a featured guest teacher, learn more about the activities of incredible people in our sangha, engage in discussion – and connect with one another, our community, and our hearts. Join us every Sunday at 3pm Eastern – Click Here for a Time Zone Converter.

Land Centre Retreats this Summer

Dechen Chöling – “Gathering of the European Sangha Retreat”
July 26-August 3, 2022

Join us for a week of contemplating and co-creating a good society with a community of fellow warriors. We will explore what a culture of trust means, given all the changes in our Shambhala world. There will be time for practice together every morning, creative expression, time in nature, and practical work for our beloved European Land Centre. There will also be space for exchange on key topics for the European Shambhala Community, including: Governance, Practice and Education, the future of Dechen Chöling, and Shambhala Arts. Click here to learn more and register.

Dorje Denma Ling – “Bodhichitta Weekthün”
August 5-18, 2022

This seven-day meditation retreat will focus on the mahayana teachings of bodhichitta, known as “awakened heart”– the mind of enlightenment. Mahayana, the “great vehicle,” challenges us to outgrow self-centered preoccupations, and develop the wisdom and compassion by which we can actually make a difference in the world. Click here to learn more and register.

Drala Mountain Center – “Summer Seminar: Empowering the Buddha Within”
June 1-29, 2022

Led by Holly Gayley and Loden Nyima. We’re delighted to offer a month-long Mahayana Buddhist retreat that has now been running for four years.  Half the day is practice, half the day is talks and small group discussion.  Everyone interested is warmly welcome and respected for whatever role this plays in one’s path—no strings attached.  The primary source is the teachings of the Vidyadhara, with classical and other contemporary sources as well.  This year’s main topic will be Buddha Nature and more broadly third-turning Mahayana.  We’ll very much include the five buddha families. Click here to learn more and register.

Karme Chöling – “Celebrating Community Retreat”
September 2-8th, 2022

Come home to Karmê Chöling! This September, we will spark our heart connection with each other and with the dharma, as we re-awaken our inspiration to create a society of kindness. Reconnect with your meditation practice and sangha friends with mornings of practice and afternoons of cookouts, hiking, contemplative arts, and enjoying each other’s company. Come for just the weekend or stay for the whole week. Click here to learn more and register.

May 2022 Appointments and Departures

Sophie Leger has stepped down as the Director of Translation and Multilingual Development. For over a decade, Sophie has worked tirelessly for Shambhala to ensure that the Shambhala teachings were available to sangha all over the world in multiple languages. It is in large part due to Sophie’s incredible efforts that Shambhala is the multilingual community it is today. We thank her for her incredible service to Shambhala and wish her all the best in her journey ahead.

Rose Keyes has stepped down as the Communications and Marketing Director and is moving on to a new development role for an environmental non-profit. While Rose has expressed her appreciation for working for Shambhala, the environmental field is her true passion, and we are delighted she has found this new position. Rose was a huge asset to the Shambhala Global Services Team and we wish her all the best in her upcoming endeavors.

Natasha West has moved from her role as the Communications and Marketing Associate and is our new Communications and Marketing Director. Her responsibilities include: managing and developing effective messaging around Shambhala’s plans, offerings, activities, and accomplishments, coordinating responses to press inquiries, oversight and management of organization-wide communications and communications platforms, managing Shambhala’s communication content creation, oversight of branding, imagery, logo usage and “voice” of organization, creation of internal and external marketing plans to improve programming visibility across Shambhala paths of study. Natasha brings a tremendous amount of experience to this role and we are delighted that she will be supporting the Shambhala community in this way.

Claudia Arnau has started a new role as a Community Care Consultant. Claudia works with the Office of Community Care and Conduct in the areas of leadership support, diversity and inclusion, community grants, recruitment of new Code of Conduct team members, and support for translation efforts within the Shambhala global community. She has been a Shambhala practitioner for seven years, has had several leadership roles in the Madrid Shambhala Centre, and was part of the Code of Conduct Support Group for the Shambhala Board in the development of the new Code of Conduct Policies and Procedures. As a Safeguarding professional in the International Humanitarian Sector, Claudia has lived and worked in five continents. Originally from Madrid, Spain, she now lives with her partner in Bend, Oregon (USA). Welcome to the Shambhala Global Services Team, Claudia!

Nina Migliari, who currently holds the position of Care and Conduct Associate for the Office of Community Care and Conduct, will be taking on an additional role as Translation Coordinator for Shambhala Online. Nina is a professional translator and editor and her new responsibilities include: captioning the courses in English, translating the captions, getting the course content translated, translating the required readings for the course and arranging permissions from Kalapa Publications or other publishing houses, translating the registration documents, auto-responders and welcome letters, and any marketing content, providing interpretation for live events, or talks, finding interpreters and getting them set up with the event’s coordination team, recruiting and training translators to work with captions, and recruiting and training English captioners (to transcribe, create captions and synch them). Congratulations on taking on this new role Nina and for your commitment to inclusivity and improving access to course content for all members of our global sangha!

Counseling and Therapy Offering Continue

If you, or someone you know, has experienced harm due to aggression, failings on the part of the organization, or actions within the Shambhala community, you are invited to access the counseling and therapy offering. If you live in Europe or know someone who would benefit from the European Counseling and Therapy Offering, click here.

Important Links

Shambhala Board FAQs – ongoing and updated responses to questions being asked of the Shambhala Board

Shambhala Board’s Update on An Olive Branch Recommendations

Moving Forward As A Community Post Mediation – sent on Feb 20th to the Shambhala community by the Shambhala Board

Dear Shambhala Community,

We would like to share with you an update on the Shambhala Board’s recent activity and the initiatives of Shambhala Global Services.

As we announced in the recent Joint Statement on Mediation Settlement, on December 21, 2021 the Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards agreed to settle the mediation process begun in August, 2021. This agreement creates a more independent Shambhala Board, gives Shambhala a license to continue to use the trademark “Shambhala” and leaves open the possibility of further communication. The Shambhala Board followed up on this with the communication Moving Forward As A Community Post Mediation. As was stated in this letter:

It has been close to four years since the crisis in Shambhala began and during this time it often felt like the direction of the organization was on hold. We have all had to examine our connections with Shambhala and the lineage in ways that were personal and often uncomfortable. Now with this agreement in place, we can turn our attention to moving forward as an organization, as a community, and as individuals. After a long period of uncertainty, we feel excited about what may now arise. We hope you will join us as we continue to strengthen our dharmic paths and together establish a Shambhala that reflects the elements of a good human society, for the benefit of all.

In this letter and as a guiding principle, the Board is dedicated to Shambhala as an inclusive society, welcoming all students within the dharmic streams of both Sakyongs.

The Shambhala Board is committed to informing the community in a transparent and comprehensive way on the many upcoming developments and initiatives within the Shambhala organization. You are invited to read our multifaceted report below and access our answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) here. We look forward to taking this journey with you!

Shambhala New Year 2022 – Year of The Water Tiger

This year’s Shambhala Day live broadcast on March 3 focused on the importance of the senses and asked the question, “What Is Beauty?” Community members from around the globe participated in the broadcast which included: a beautiful original cello performance by India Gailey, titled “Water Tiger”; delightful “sense video vignettes” created by Chase Bauer; an evocative original composition and video by Herbert Elsky and other collaborators; and a collectively created calligraphy by Barbara Bash. Daniele Bollini gave an inspiring talk, and attendees also heard messages and greetings from the Shambhala Board, the Shambhala Development Office, the Land Centres, and Centres and Groups around the world.

You can click here to view the Shambhala Day 2022 live Broadcast.

Update From The Office of Practice and Education

Recently, the Shambhala Board sent a letter to all members about how Practice & Education is moving forward with a new collaborative decision making structure, and what our practice and study path will look like. A similar letter was also sent to all Shambhala Educators and Center Leaders with more details about the coming structure. We look forward to a series of community conversations where all of this can be discussed in more depth. The Board’s Letter to the Community Regarding P&E can be found here.

Shambhala Online Update

Compassion for Ukraine – Daily Tonglen Gathering
Shambhala Online is continuing this daily practice gathering on Zoom, as we rouse compassion for those suffering from violence due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. We begin by inviting a check in from our sangha members in Ukraine. These check-ins have been both heartbreaking and profoundly inspiring and clarifying. Next, we ride that fresh inspiration directly into our practice, which includes 5 minutes of shamatha, 10 minutes of tonglen and another 5 minutes of shamatha. 30 minute session + discussion. Daily at 11:00 AM Eastern – Click Here for a Time Zone Converter.

Shambhala Sunday Gatherings
Weekly Sunday Gatherings for the global Shambhala community are a place where we can practice meditation together, hear dharma teachings from a featured guest teacher, learn more about the activities of incredible people in our sangha, engage in discussion – and connect with one another, our community, and our hearts. Join us every Sunday at 3pm Eastern – Click Here for a Time Zone Converter.

Update on Conversations With Shambhala Leaders

As was mentioned in the most recent Shambhala Leadership Forum, the Shambhala Board is seeking the input of local communities in creating a good working relationship between Centres and Groups and Shambhala Global Services. They are inviting leaders to consider local needs and concerns regarding this critical relationship, to bring up ways to go forward as a community, and to engage your colleagues and community members in a conversation about this over the next few weeks.

You can click here to learn more about hosting your own local community conversation, access a conversation manual, or get support from facilitators to consult with you or host your local conversations.

Here is a link to the Affiliate Agreement Areas of Interest. This memorandum presents the many areas involved in a working relationship between Shambhala Centres and Groups and Shambhala Global Services.

Invitations to leaders to join calls with the Shambhala Board have been sent out to discuss this memorandum and whatever questions you may have following the release of the Joint Statement on the Mediation Outcome. If you did not receive the invitation, you can access the information and link to register on the Shambhala Network here.

Recruiting New Shambhala Board Members

Later this spring, the Shambhala Board will begin a process to recruit new Board members. Our first step will be to form a Board Advisory Nominating Group made up of representatives of the Board and members of our community. This group will solicit applicants for the Shambhala Board and then interview and recommend potential candidates to the Board that reflect the diversity, skill and wisdom of our community.<

Update From The Office of Care & Conduct

Code of Conduct Presentations for People in Positions of Authority
The Office of Care and Conduct is now offering additional Code of Conduct presentations dates and times specifically for groups of leaders and educators in Shambhala. As we move forward as a community, it is essential that individuals holding Positions of Authority (POA) in our community have an understanding of the Code of Conduct, as well as have signed the POA policy.

To review and sign the POA policy electronically, click here.

To learn more about the Code of Conduct policies and process, and your responsibilities as Teachers, Educators, Meditation Instructors and leaders in Shambhala, click below to register for a presentation:

• April 3, 2022 – Shambhala’s new Code of Conduct for Europe
• April 30, 2022 – Shambhala’s new Code of Conduct for
  Educators and Leaders
• May 28, 2022 – Shambhala’s new Code of Conduct for
  Educators and Leaders

2021 Report on Code of Conduct Complaints and Concerns

As a global organization, Shambhala is committed to accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and care. This report contains data about the concerns and complaints received by the Code of Conduct team beginning on Shambhala Day 2021 until Dec. 31, 2021, as filed under the Shambhala Code of Conduct.

2021 Report on Code of Conduct Complaints and Concerns
2018- 2020 Report of Care and Conduct Complaints

Counseling and Therapy Offering Continues
In 2021, forty individuals in North America and Europe accessed the Therapy and Counseling Offering. If you, or someone you know, has experienced harm due to aggression, failings on the part of the organization, or actions within the Shambhala community, you are invited to access the counseling and therapy offering. If you live in Europe or know someone who would benefit from the European Counseling and therapy offering, click here.

Pocket Version of the Code of Conduct Poster
Have you ever wished that you had a small discrete way of accessing the Code of Conduct and guidance on expressing a concern or filing a complaint? Well, many people do! So the C&C Office has developed a small, pocket version of the Code of Conduct poster that can be printed and placed in discrete areas, such as bathrooms, hallways, small meeting rooms, etc. It is our aspiration that anyone wishing to express a concern or complaint has easy access to relevant information. Click here to download and print the pocket version of the Code of Conduct.

Shambhala Financial Update

2021 was a year of challenges. The pandemic continued to affect our community, resulting in lower in-person program attendance and revenues. SGS was also affected by many challenges during 2021 and this is reflected in a loss for the year, which was expected and budgeted. The SGS loss for 2021 is $90,192 USD compared to a budgeted loss of $73,157 USD. While this is a relatively small difference to what was projected, $147,000 USD from the sale of Windhorse Retreat Center in Wisconsin (in conjunction with the wishes of the local sangha) and the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy are propping up that bottom line. Keeping all this in mind, Shambhala Global Services managed to navigate a very challenging year.

We are working with the expectation that 2022 will be critical in telling us what is sustainable going forward. It should be further noted that for 2022 the Director of Operations and Director of Care positions will not be paid for by restricted funds and are now part of the operating budget. We will not have the $147,000 USD of additional revenue in 2022, and the projected loss will be substantial. This means we will be relying on sustained and increased Centre and Group affiliate transfers and good Shambhala New Year fundraising to operate in a healthy and sustainable way in 2022 and going forward.

Click here to review the March Finance Update.

Societal Mirror Project Update

The Societal Mirror Project is a Board-sponsored initiative that aims to uncover the key questions and indicators that will help both Shambhala leadership and the community understand our general state of health and well-being, what we are doing well, and where we need to improve.

The scope of the project has been organized into five areas:

• Paths, Teachings, Practices, Programs & Studies
• Governance, Leadership, Communications & Interconnections
• Economy, Resources & Assets
• Care and Conduct & Protection
• Culture & Community Well-being

Our intention is to regularly monitor the key questions for each of these domains with the goal of understanding the well-being of Shambhala as a community and organization. This data will help us deepen our understanding of what and who we are as a community, as opposed to making assumptions about “how we are doing”, and will greatly aid in decision-making and planning for the future.

To learn more about this project and its phases, click here.

Update on An Olive Branch Recommendations

In 2018 the Kalapa Council (the previous Board of Shambhala) hired An Olive Branch, a Zen-based consulting group that works with spiritual communities in conflict and crisis. The Kalapa Council asked An Olive Branch to explore and document past harm that occurred in Shambhala, advise how it could be prevented in the future, and make recommendations for steps that could be taken to heal our community. In March 2019, the Shambhala Interim Board received and then published An Olive Branch’s full report and recommendations to the community.

The Shambhala Board has recently reviewed the recommendations that were received from An Olive Branch and put together a comprehensive update on all activities responding to these recommendations. You can click here to read the full report.

March 2022 Appointments and Departures

The Shambhala Board wants to extend our deep appreciation to all former Acharyas, Shastris, and Kasung who have served diligently and wholeheartedly for so many years. Although their titles were recently dissolved by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, we will continue to welcome them to contribute their teaching, leadership, and wisdom to Shambhala.

Tai Pimputkar resigned as a Director of the Shambhala Board after serving since May 2020. Tai brought a strong background in finance and psychotherapy, sat on the Finance, Practice and Education, and Revenue Generation committees, and was one of the regular facilitators for our Board meetings. We will miss Tai’s strong insights. Tai has been juggling two separate careers as a banker and therapist, working on Mudra Space Awareness, relating to family and friends, diligently practicing, studying and helping all aspects of the sangha, as well as working with the Shambhala Board during this critical time.We will miss Tai, but applaud her recent work promotion and understand her need to focus more fully on her career.

Melanie Klein has held the position of Director of Operations for SGS and has stepped down after the end of her two-year contract. During this transitional time, Melanie had strong contributions and gave heartfelt care to the ongoing support and management of all of our SGS employees and initiatives, revived the Leadership Forum, and managed many legal and governance projects. Melanie has always acted with remarkable composure, cheerfulness, and intelligence. We will miss Melanie and wish her everything good in what she will accomplish next.

The Shambhala Board is pleased to announce that current Shambhala Global Services team members David MacLellan, Finance Director, Faradee Rudy, Development Director, and Tara Templin, Care and Conduct Director will form an “Executive Leadership Team” (ELT) to manage and lead all the functions of Shambhala Global Services. We are delighted that they have agreed to step forward into these new and challenging roles that will help us move forward as a community in new and positive directions. With these positions, we look to transition over the next period of time from a managing Board that has been very involved in the day-to-day operations of Shambhala to a more strategic and policy-oriented Board.

The Shambhala Board would also like to announce the hire of a new Growth and Integration Consultant for Shambhala Online, Frederick Meyer. After two years of the pandemic and presenting our teachings mainly online, the Board has recognized for some time now that Shambhala Online will continue to be an important entry point into Shambhala practices and teachings. As such, we want to provide the necessary support and resources, so that the Shambhala Online Team can continue to flourish and grow in new and dynamic ways.

Finally, the Board is pleased to announce the hiring of Irene Woodard, Director and Co-Founder of Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective, as the newest member of the Shambhala Global Services Team. The Board recognizes that the work of Touching the Earth is an essential component of who we are as a community and the support we can provide as Shambhala Global Services.

Touching the Earth’s Mission and Values are: To inspire and engage the warriors of the Touching the Earth Collective to uphold the healthy sustainability of the sacred living environment for all beings. Clearly seeing the need for an urgent response to human-caused environmental degradation, Touching the Earth warriors invite individual and collective action for the rebalancing, protection and celebration of a healthy living world.

In The Vision of Brilliance and Compassion,

The Shambhala Board
Mark Blumenfeld
Suasn Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Educators and Leaders,

Thank you so much for the strength and patience that you have shown over this past period of uncertainty for our Shambhala community. We want to invite you to continue your exemplary work as Shambhala teachers, meditation instructors and guides, and to join together in shaping Shambhala practice and education as we move forward.

In this communication we are happy to provide you with a first look at the view and initial actions being planned for those elements of the practice and education sphere that are within the purview of our Shambhala organisation. This letter is being sent to all Shambhala educators (that is, teachers, Shambhala Training directors, meditation instructors, SPMIs and Shambhala guides) and centre leaders. A more general letter is being sent to the entire community. This educators’ letter will also be posted so that interested community members can access the more detailed picture that we offer here.

Our Shared Dharma Heritage

As sangha members of Shambhala, we share a rich and multifaceted heritage of teachings and practices, all centred on the experience of basic goodness and its manifestation as enlightened society. Our teachings and practices are rooted in the Buddhist and Shambhala traditions. They have been brought forth by our Sakyongs, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. They have also been enriched by companion lineages based in the arts and cultural knowledge, springing from many sources. They continue to come alive as they are applied to our worldly experiences — relating to mental and physical health challenges, child rearing and end-of-life issues, and the many social and environmental crises that we face.

Since the origins of our community, we Shambhala sangha members have shared the responsibility for nurturing this heritage and bringing it forth so it is available in contemporary and relevant forms. While we each have our own personal relationship to the Sakyong lineage, and the form of this relationship continues to evolve for each of us, as teachers, meditation instructors and guides we remain devoted to preserving and propagating the dharmas of Shambhala for the benefit of all beings.

A Practice and Education Container

The Office of Practice and Education in our Shambhala organisation continues to be committed to identifying and making available the resources that support the community in accessing Shambhala’s teachings and practices. At the same time, the structure and workflow of the Office need to change in order to adapt to the changed relationship between the Sakyong and the Shambhala organisation. Some changes in our curricula and our approaches to teacher/instructor training and authorization are required as well.

Our plan is to create a networked, collaborative structure to carry out the many tasks and make the many decisions involved in practice and education activities. We intend for this structure to tap input from the entire community of Shambhala educators and to include feedback mechanisms so that we continually evaluate the impact of our decisions and actions as they are implemented. This will be a work-in-progress that will evolve over the next few years through innovation, trial and error, and mutual learning of the skillful means of collaborative work.

Within this new structure we will be forming five working groups to support and bring forth the qualities of the different aspects of our dharma heritage. It may be helpful to think of these as five baskets, each filled with jewels that represent different components of our teachings and practices:

1. Introduction to shamatha meditation. Open shamatha practice. Shambhala arts. Meditation in settings such as schools and prisons, addiction recovery offerings, dharma tailored for children and youth.
2. Foundational Buddhist teachings and Shambhala Training Levels 1-5. Supportive courses drawn from the In Everyday Life and Basic Goodness series, the Profound Treasury, and the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies. Weekthuns and dathuns.
3. Mahayana Buddhist teachings on compassion, emptiness and interdependence drawn from these same sources. Teachings on enlightened society and kind communities. An in-depth group retreat focusing on Buddhist and Shambhala principles.
4. Introduction to the Shambhala terma, Windhorse, Drala, Four Dignities, Golden Key and Warrior Assembly, Supportive courses on the terma tradition and the classical roots of the Shambhala terma. Introduction to the five wisdom energies and maitri space awareness practice. Study and practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra. Solitary retreat practice.
5. The Vajrayana sadhanas and pujas that we have already received from our teachers. The post-Vajrayana courses, including the Ngedon School courses, which have been developed in our community over many years. Support for Ngondro practitioners. Entry into the Kagyu Vajrayana, and entry into Werma Sadhana practice.

The five working groups caring for these five baskets of jewels will include short-term task forces formed by community volunteers to work on specific projects. Representatives from each working group, along with representatives from the practice and education leadership of local centres, will form a council to make recommendations on curricula, teacher and instructor training and practice guidelines. These recommendations will be based on our shared values of genuine dharma, inclusion, supportiveness and sustainability into the future.

We are fortunate that our Shambhala sangha includes many highly respected senior teachers who have guided us in study and been models for us in practice in different contexts for a long time. In the coming weeks we will be reaching out to senior teachers, and we appreciate all of those who have already been in touch with offers to continue to support study and practice in Shambhala.

The Way Forward

Many of us in the Shambhala community already have a spiritual path that has been woven as a sequence of teachings and practices held in the five baskets described above. Some people who are newly encountering our community are seeking such a path. Others within our community have chosen to practise and study their own selections from these baskets rather than following a prescribed route through all of them, and this will be the case for some who encounter Shambhala in the future. While, of course, there are logical course sequences and program prerequisites, each of these baskets of dharma have their own integrity and offer powerful benefits when explored wholeheartedly. As a community of educators, we are here to support everyone in accessing the dharma in the way that is most meaningful for them.

As we create and maintain this collaborative process in the practice and education sphere we will be engaging with topics that are both complex and tender. We want to take all of these topics very seriously. We want to involve knowledgeable and respected community members and senior teachers in studying them and in making recommendations that consider all perspectives. We want all of these discussions to be transparent, so that it is clear to everyone that the resulting decisions are made with the intention of mutual benefit.

We look forward to involving all Shambhala educators as we co-create this new approach to Shambhala practice and education. Everyone’s views and voices are valuable. All of your current teaching and instructor authorizations are valid and still stand. If it is your choice to become inactive as an educator at this time, please inform the Practice and Education Director at your centre. That person can authorise the appropriate changes to your Shambhala Database record.

In the near future we will be hosting community conversations to provide more information and to gather your feedback on practice and education priorities. These sessions will be announced publicly, but If you would like to receive a direct invitation, please click here to join our contact list. Recruitment of volunteers for our working groups will occur after these community conversations.

Our Shambhala groups, centres, land centres and Shambhala Global Services team members have been remarkably resilient in this time of so many challenges. We are learning how to pool resources. We have manifested tremendous creativity in the content and forms of our programming. We have cared for each other as our views and practice paths have diverged. We have introduced new people into Shambhala with honesty and gentleness. Let us all continue with these activities as we move forward.

In the Vision of the Great Eastern Sun,

The Shambhala Board
Mark Blumenfeld
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

“The protocol, the mannerisms, and everything we have created, everything you have been taught, everything you have studied quite diligently – the purpose of all that is to have concern for others.”

Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, 1979 Kalapa Assembly, Big Sky, Montana

 

Dear Shambhala Community,

By now you will have received the Joint Statement from the Sakyong Potrang and the Shambhala boards describing the results of the mediation process. We, the Shambhala Board, would like to take this opportunity to clarify the decisions made in the agreement with the Potrang, as well as express our appreciation for the community’s patience during the mediation process, which lasted from August 2021 to February 2022.

It has been close to four years since the crisis in Shambhala began and during this time, it often felt like the direction of the organization was on hold. We have all had to examine our connections with Shambhala and the lineage in ways that were personal and often uncomfortable. Now with this agreement in place, we can turn our attention to moving forward as an organization, as a community, and as individuals.

As you have often heard us say, the Shambhala Board remains committed to Shambhala as an inclusive society. We encourage all members, centers and groups to continue creating and nurturing opportunities for practice, while remaining open and caring about one another. While different views will continue to arise within our community, we all have our fundamental grounding in the Shambhala teachings of confidence in basic goodness, gentleness and fearlessness that we can strengthen in ourselves, foster in our communities and share with the world.

The mediation has led to the following agreed upon changes for the Shambhala organization. You can access the authorizing resolutions and the red-lined changes of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws here that show the language changes to our governance documents.

• The changes were made to the purposes clause of the Articles and By-laws for Shambhala so that all students, including those of the past, present and future Sakyongs, will feel included and welcome in Shambhala.
• Shambhala will no longer have a sole member governance structure. Thus, the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and the Sakyong Potrang will have no legal authority over the operations and governance of Shambhala. The Sakyong or his representative will now share with the Shambhala Board the power to amend the Articles or the by-laws or make decisions regarding dissolution of Shambhala or sale of the majority of its assets. Although these kinds of decisions are not usual occurrences and may never happen, they could be very consequential for the organization as a whole and need to have the input of both the community and the lineage holder.
• In place of the Sakyong, the Shambhala Board will now be independent and responsible for appointing new directors to the Board and, if necessary, to remove them for cause. To accomplish this, the Shambhala Board has decided to establish a Board advisory nominating group that includes members from the community and the Board to make recommendations for new Board members. This nominating group will start a process to bring new members onto the Board that reflect the diversity of our community.
• Shambhala USA will have a perpetual license to use the trademarks “Shambhala,” “Shambhala Training,” “Shambhala Meditation Center,” and others. We will be able to sub-license their use to our affiliated centers and groups. Shambhala USA will be able to continue operating under the same organizational names that we currently use. Since Shambhala Canada and Shambhala Europe own their own trademarks for “Shambhala,” no license is needed internationally.
• No assets were transferred as part of the mediation settlement. The Sakyong Potrang and Shambhala agreed to a mutual release of any claims, including past asset transfers. Previous asset transfers covered by this provision include the transfers by the Kalapa Council (which predated the seating of the Shambhala Interim Board) to the Sakyong Potrang of the Sakyong’s Halifax residence (the Court), the US trademarks and Kalapa Valley.
• The Shambhala and Potrang boards agreed to continue to communicate to clarify issues that arise.

While there is a lot in this agreement that will impact the two organizations, many issues of importance to Shambhala members were not made part of the mediation process. The most important may be individual students’ and centers’ relationship to the Sakyong.

In that regard, the Shambhala Board has had a number of opportunities to meet with the Sakyong or his representatives throughout our tenure. Our intention has been, above everything else, to help find a way to properly reconcile the Sakyong and the whole community. We know that there are students who feel the Sakyong has genuinely apologized for his past behavior, are devoted to the lineage and are connected to the Sakyong and his teachings. However, we are also aware that many others have expressed their need for the Sakyong to take more accountability.

To this aim, we approached the Sakyong and his representatives with the wishes for better accountability and further communication from him. We offered ideas for possible processes, consolidated the many emails we had received from the community that articulated many open questions and feelings, and introduced potential consultants to help with a reconciliation process. We also shared the new Code of Conduct, which we understand the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo support.

We have come to recognize that the Sakyong is focusing his energies on teaching outside of Shambhala. We have been told by his representatives that he will continue on this current path. We remain committed to providing a healthy practice environment and community for his students within the Shambhala community.

We are also aware that many people in our community are committed to their Shambhala path but are not interested in studying with the Sakyong. The Board sees many opportunities to continue to deepen all of our practice and community life together. We are fortunate to have many skilled, well-practiced teachers within our community. Our centers and online spaces will continue to welcome groups to practice together, utilizing the full range of the Shambhala teachings including those studying with the Sakyong and those who are not. We also think that Shambhala can present our teachings to the modern world in a variety of forms, and we are open to how best to do that.

We understand that this is a big change from how students may have related to the Sakyong before the crisis. However, the Shambhala Board is confident that as a community we have tremendous resources to offer each other and the world. We are committed to continuing to have Shambhala offer the Shambhala path teachings through Werma practice and support for the Kagyu/Nyingma traditions through the Vajrayana, which are part of our heritage. We commit to supporting the Shambhala contemplative arts and other important aspects of Shambhala culture.

We know that you may have questions about all of this and we want to provide opportunities in the coming Year of the Water Tiger to communicate and work together as a sangha.

As a Board, our initial plans for the new year include:

• Continuing to welcome, read and reflect on the emails we receive. We look forward to hearing from you. You can reach us at board@shambhala.org.
• Organizing meetings with community leaders to discuss the organizational changes.
• Meeting with leaders to clarify the ongoing relationships between Shambhala Centers and Shambhala Global and receive their input on a formal affiliate agreement.
• Publishing FAQs that will address the issues raised by leaders and the community.
• Working closely with the skilled facilitators of the Shambhala Process Team to organize and hold community conversations on important topics, such as the results from the Societal Mirror Survey.
• Continuing to communicate through regular Board updates. During the mediation process, we agreed to work with the Potrang in a confidential space and were not at liberty to speak of the changes. We will have much to say about opportunities for practice and study as well as how we are going forward as a community.
• Holding regular Zoom meetings with leaders and the community.
• Continuing our conversations on understanding harm that have occurred within the community that we began with Shambhala leaders in December 2021 after publishing our Statement on Harm.

After a long period of uncertainty, we feel excited about what may now arise. We hope you will join us as we continue to strengthen our dharmic paths and together establish a Shambhala that reflects the elements of a good human society, for the benefit of all.
In the Vision of the Great Eastern Sun,

The Shambhala Board
Mark Blumenfeld
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Community,

As part of our ongoing journey of learning about and understanding harm within Shambhala, the Shambhala Board is publishing the Statement on Harm in our Community on the Shambhala website. We offer this with every intention that the practices and community life of Shambhala can further develop the skillful means to bring benefit to others.

Our Statement on Harm does not need to diminish the love and heart connection so many of us feel toward Shambhala. Shambhala offers a great deal to each of us and to our world all together. Our teachings, culture, and community have brilliance and worthiness.

At the same time, our teachings on warriorship and bravery encourage us to look directly into the causes and conditions that allow harm to occur, so together we can create a safe and caring community.

In the coming months Shambhala will be launching a series of conversations intended to shape a reparative process for our community. These conversations will be free and open to anyone who wants to attend.

We see this as a critical step in the process of understanding and healing past harm, and cultivating the culture of kindness we aspire to.

With aspirations to benefit all,

The Shambhala Board of Directors

** In addition to English, the Statement is also available in Français, Español and Italiano. **

“We are always in transition.
If you can just relax with that, you’ll have no problem.”Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, as quoted in “The Places the Scare You”

 

Dear Shambhala Community,

Warm greetings to all of you. We hope that each of you are well and are finding space and insight to navigate these challenging times with grace, bravery and compassion. We all have been affected by events brought on by a changing climate, an ongoing global pandemic and extreme societal dynamics.

We want to thank you and all our leaders and volunteers for your practice and dedication to Shambhala vision and work to help others in a world full of suffering. We especially want to express gratitude for our land centers and their volunteers and staff who are providing opportunities for respite and connection to the natural world. Please click here to watch a video that explores each of the land centers.

We are writing to you today with another update on the Shambhala Board’s recent activity and the initiatives of Shambhala Global Services. Much of our focus has been on the discussions with the Sakyong Potrang Board and the Sakyong concerning the future of the Shambhala organization. We are now in regular conversations through a mediator with the Sakyong Potrang Board and the Sakyong. The conversations have been serious and meaningful.

As we announced in our September 9, 2021 Joint Statement from the Shambhala and Potrang Boards, we have agreed to create a protected space for these discussions to continue. To this end, the Sakyong Potrang and the Sakyong have extended the resolution granting the Board its current powers until Shambhala Day of next year, March 3, 2022. This date was chosen to acknowledge the urgency to come to some resolution but to not cause undue pressure on our discussions.

We appreciate the engagement and attention to this process by the Sakyong and the Sakyong Potrang Board. We are guardedly optimistic that these discussions will create the clarity that many Shambhala students have asked for.

We request each member of our community to help us create an environment of openness and understanding in this pivotal time for our Shambhala Mandala. Meeting the uncertainty of the present moment with meditation and compassion practices has been a great aid to us, and we want to encourage individual and community practice as a support for our conversations. We invite everyone to join us in rousing the aspiration of a healed and flourishing Shambhala.

We know that much depends on the mediation conversations. We hope that once they conclude, we will have the clarity for us to address the current uncertainty around Shambhala paths for study, practice, and educator training, as well as refining Shambhala Center/Affiliate relationships with Shambhala Global Services. We very much look forward to sharing more information on these conversations as we are able to open this protected space in agreement with the Sakyong and the Sakyong Potrang Board.

Wishing you all good health and safe and secure living situations,

The Shambhala Board
Mark Blumenfeld
Suasn Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Shambhala Online New Course Announcements

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche -“Meditation: The Way of the Buddha”
Learn or refresh your connection to the practice of meditation as taught by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Although decades old, these archival talks from the summer of 1974 retain their original potency and are a reminder of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s incomparable skill at communicating Buddhist teachings to a Western audience. These short talks – from mindfulness practice, to awareness practice, to the realization of emptiness – will be supported by further commentary and facilitated discussion by some of our senior teachers who studied directly with Chogyam Trungpa. These include Pema Chödron, Dale Asrael, Dorje Loppon Lodro Dorje, Gaylon Ferguson, Arawana Hayashi, Marty Janowitz, Larry Mermelstein, and Judith Simmer-Brown. Click here to learn more and register.“Second Sunday” Maitri Bhavana – Shambhala Sunday Gatherings
You are invited to join the global Shambhala community as we come together to practice for the wellbeing of others the second Sunday of each month. Maitri Bhavana is a practice that is done for the benefit of the seriously ill, or for major global turmoil and disasters. Please visit the Shambhala Sunday Gatherings homepage for more information and to register.

Shambhala Training – Levels IV and V
The sangha-wide Heart of Warriorship programs, an initiative conceived by the Board and offered by Shambhala Online, are a great success. Level III, Warrior in the World, with Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown was held in September, and Level IV, Awakened Heart will take place from November 26 – 28. This program will be taught by Acharya Mathias Pongrancz. Level V, Open Sky will be held January 14 – 16, 2022 with Acharya Gaylon Ferguson. Shambhala Online offers a partnership program for centers and groups, where a portion of the proceeds from referred registrants are remitted back to the center. Email info@shambhalaonline.org for a code and more information about the partnership program, and click here to learn about this series.

Harvest of Peace
Harvest of Peace is a seasonal transition that marks the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. This year it occurred on September 21. Many local centers celebrated with both online and in-person gatherings, and the Touching the Earth Collective and Shambhala Sunday Gatherings hosted a special global celebration of peace on Sunday, September 19. Click here to watch the Touching the Earth Collective Sunday Gathering video. Also in celebration of the season and to mark this special moment in the yearly cycle, the Office of Culture created an evocative and cheering Harvest of Peace video. Please click here to view the video.

Shambhala Financial Update

2020 Annual Report
We are pleased to share the 2020 Shambhala Annual Report with you, which outlines the activity of the Shambhala nonprofit organization during the 2020 calendar year. 2018 and 2019 were challenging years for our community, during which Shambhala was faced with major leadership transitions and the direction of our community was both explored and questioned by practitioners, teachers, leaders, and members at our Centres and Groups around the globe. These challenges have continued into 2020 – and we have also continued to grow and evolve as a community and organization so that we can be together in ways that are even more supportive, genuine, and kind. Please click here to download a pdf copy of the Annual Report.Windhorse Retreat Center Land Sale
In December 2020 we announced our intent to accept an offer on 33 acres of land in Plymouth WI adjoining the regional Windhorse Retreat Center, which had previously suspended operations. Click here to read the December update. This transaction has now been completed, and the land has been transferred back to the original owners for $100,000 USD (the same price we paid in 2005). Prior to the sale we consulted with city centers in the Midwest region as well as major donors for the original purchase, and in conjunction with their wishes, we will use the estimated $100,000 USD proceeds to support other Shambhala retreat centers, city centers that are struggling, and regional needs.

Third Quarter 2021 Finances
Shambhala Global Services had a profit of $48,575 USD for the first eight months of 2021. Click here to view the income statement. Two non-recurring items helped our results, the COVID-related Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy ($44,231 USD) and the $100,000 USD land sale in Wisconsin (see above). Without these two special items we would have posted a loss for the period.

Fundraising from individuals and transfers from land centers and city centers continues to be challenging due to the continuing uncertainty in our community about what the future holds and the impact of the pandemic. SGS staff is working to diversify our revenue for 2022 and beyond by developing online courses with appeal to both members and nonmembers, such as the upcoming Shambhala Online “Meditation: The Way of the Buddha” course.

We continue to watch our expenses carefully while also working to reinvest some funds from the sale of Marpa House back into the community through community grants, center support, and Care & Conduct initiatives.

Looking towards the rest of the year, we plan to conduct our usual year-end fundraising campaign, and depending on the results of that effort, we may end the year anywhere from a small loss to breakeven.

Shambhala Archives Fundraising Update

Most people in our community don’t realize that the materials and wealth of dharma that the Shambhala Archives holds are so vast. From eight-year-old Rites of Passage to Kalapa Assemblies, Shamatha Meditation instruction to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara Abishekas – it is all there for future practitioners. There are teachings by Kobun Chino Roshi and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, His Holiness Dilgo Khyenste Rinpoche, Khenpo Kharthar, and others, as well as Alan Ginsberg and Timothy Leary – all in our library of recordings. The Shambhala Archives truly holds one of the largest audio-visual collections of Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the West.

Our recent fundraising campaign in support of the Shambhala Archives brought in just over $10,500 CAD, and 26 people became new recurring monthly donors. This will go a long way towards helping the Archives continue its important work of preserving Shambhala’s legacy. A heartfelt thank you to all those who donated!

Update from the Office of Care and Conduct

We continue to feel genuine concern for healing the harm that people have experienced in our community and are pleased to be able to share with you some updates on the various initiatives that have come to life over the last years. We also want to reiterate our commitment to culture change and increased awareness, caring, and action in Shambhala. Please send us your ideas and inspirations for this work as we truly welcome your participation and co-creation.

Training continues to be a major focus of Care and Conduct.

A Restorative Justice (RJ) training will be offered to over 30 individuals from the Code of Conduct Team and Process Team leaders in September, and an 8-week RJ/Active Peace Circle Facilitation Training is being offered on a donation basis, open to all beginning in October. Click here for more information and to register.

Gender Dynamics – Conversations on Gender and Sexuality in the Three Yanas of Buddhism opens September 25th with talks by Holly Gayley and guests, and conversations facilitated by Tara Templin. Click here for more information and to register. Live sessions are: October 22, October 29, and December 17.

Scholarships for Right Use of Power Teacher Training beginning in November are available. Click here for more information and email tara.templin@shambhalaglobal.org if you would like to request financial support.

Sunday Gatherings talks: The Dharma of the Code of Conduct Part I and Part II, offered by Kristine McCutcheon, are now available.

A Right Use of Power 2 Day Retreat: Using Power Wisely with Heart: An embodiment workshop for Right Use of Power practitioners and students. Details coming soon.

Examining Whiteness with the Heart of Warriorship, a six week course facilitated by Sue Gilman, LaDawn Haglund and Tara Templin. Details coming soon.

The Code of Conduct continues to be implemented throughout the sangha, with local community presentations happening in North America and Europe (if you would like to request a local presentation, please contact Nina at irina.migliari@shambhala.info). In addition, a colour poster of the Code of Conduct is being mailed to all centres with physical locations. For a pdf of the printable poster, click here. Finally, if you are inviting someone to teach or facilitate, please review these draft Guest Presenter Guidelines.

Stupa Recovery Project

Last summer’s Cameron Peak fire swept across the Rockies and engulfed the Stupa (situated next to Shambhala Mountain Center) and all buildings in its vicinity. The good news is that with intensive, specialized cleaning, the blanket of soot and ash clinging to every surface and object in the Stupa can be removed and other damage repaired. Although the adjacent Visitor Center and Art Studio were completely destroyed (as were the retreat cabins, trailers and other smaller structures in the area), these can be rebuilt.

The Stupa Recovery Project was launched in June to plan the fire clean-up, repair work, and construction of the new Visitor/Support Center and fully restore the premier symbol of Shambhala – whose full name is The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing – and its unique power to inspire students and visitors from many traditions as envisioned by Trungpa Rinpoche.

Insurance proceeds from the fire will cover some of the work, but more is needed to realize our goals. Please keep an eye out for ways to support this project so we can once again welcome the Shambhala community and all guests. Please contact Melanie Klein at melanie.klein@shambhalaglobal.org with any questions.

Societal Well-Being Monitoring Project Update

This is a new Shambhala Board-sponsored initiative that aims to uncover the key questions and indicators that will help both Shambhala leadership and the community to understand how we are doing as a community and organization, our general state of health and well-being, what we are doing well, and where we need to improve.

The scope of this project has been organized into five areas:

• Paths, Teachings, Practices, Programs & Studies
• Governance, Leadership, Communications & Interconnections
• Economy, Resources & Assets
• Care and Conduct & Protection
• Culture & Community Well-being

Our intention is to monitor the key questions for each of these domains regularly (annually or bi-annually) and in this way understand how Shambhala as a community and organization is doing and where we need to do better in an ongoing way. This data will help us deepen our understanding of what and who we are as a community, as opposed to making assumptions about “how we are doing”, and will greatly aid in decision-making and planning for the future. To learn more about this project and its phases, click here.

September, 2021 Appointments and Departures

Phil Cass has stepped down as a Shambhala Board Director as of August 2021. We felt fortunate to have Phil on the Board from May, 2020. Phil came to this position with tremendous experience as an executive in the medical and mental health fields and years of working with the Windhorse Leadership Institute. Phil brought clarity and genuineness to all that he worked with and was one of our favorite meeting facilitators. He focused on being the Board liaison for the Care and Conduct Committee under Tara Templin’s leadership, helping with the roll-out of the Care and Conduct policy. He was also involved with the Board’s Governance, Vision and Planning and Revenue Generation committees. We wish Phil everything good as he continues his work with the Physicians Leadership Academy.

Ashley Dinges retired as the Director of Communications in May 2021 after serving all aspects of the mandala in this capacity for four years. Ashley was a great help to Shambhala, bringing expertise in working with the press, social media, and community communications. All of our communications benefited from her touch. She worked on the annual Shambhala Day broadcast team, supported our web sites, email communications, the Shambhala Times, our Revenue Generating courses and hosted many webinars, particularly those for the Board. Ashley was a strong support for the Board and the entire global Shambhala community. We wish her every success.

We are very happy to welcome Rose Keyes as the new Director of Communications and Marketing. Rose comes to Shambhala with over eight years of communications experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit realms. Her areas of expertise include communications planning, organizational messaging and visioning, and copy editing. In addition to her communications work, Rose is also a 200 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher. She offers online and in-person classes in the western North Carolina area, and has maintained a personal yoga and meditation practice for the past fifteen years. Rose originally joined Shambhala as a Communications Associate working for Ashley and applied for the Director position when Ashley retired.

Departures
Phil Cass stepped down from the Shambhala Board (August 2021)
Ashley Dinges retired as Director of Communications (May 2021)
Inez de Munnik retired as a Shastri (September 2020)
Alex Van Gils retired as Archives Operations Director
Aart-Jan van de Pol resigned as Amsterdam Shambhala Center Co-Director
Ralph Wieske resigned as Amsterdam Shambhala Center Director
Sara Hall-Kapp retired as Sky Lake’s temporary caretaker
Suzann Duquette stepping down as Rupa Acharya, while continuing as an Acharya
Shelley Heinz stepped down from her role as Shastri (September 10, 2021)
Shastri Donna Williams is retiring (effective at Harvest of Peace).

Appointments
Rose Keyes – Director of Communications and Marketing
Natasha West – Communications and Marketing Associate
David Brown – Archives Operations Director
Rosie Pittas – Archives Technical Director
Eloy Portillo – Iberian Regional Coordinator