The Shambhala Board

Dear Shambhala Friends,

We are pleased to share the Shambhala 2019 Annual Report with you. This report covers our initiatives, events, and financials for 2019, as well as looking forward as a community in 2020 and beyond.

You can click here to view the 2019 Annual Report on the shambhala.org website.

Note that you will need to log in using your Shambhala username and password. If you have forgotten your username and/or password, please contact info@shambhala.org.

In the Vision of the Great Eastern Sun,

The Shambhala Board of Directors

Mark Blumenfeld
John Cobb
Phil Cass
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

We should not give up:
We are the children of the vajra world.
We should sing the anthem of the lion’s roar;
We should cry the shriek of fearlessness.
Come and join us!
Let us be wakeful for our own sake;
Let us be decent for others’ sake.
My love to you.

From First Thought, Best Thought; poem 76 “Eternal Guest”; Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche; 6 April 1978

Dear Shambhala Community,

We hope that you are taking good care of yourselves in this time of the pandemic and that you are finding both nourishment and inspiration in your household life, work and path. The Shambhala Board wants to acknowledge this time in which we are all working to sort out how to go forward with our lives and also with Shambhala. There is, of course, no lack of challenges!

The Shambhala Board, now 10 members strong, has continued to rely on the open view that we all can go forward together and to find strength in different views. At the same time, the Board wants to encourage growth and change in our organization. We acknowledge and are working with many tensions and opportunities in our community. We wish to express our view and commitment at a time when dynamic tensions could become harmful divisions.

The tensions and opportunities have been reflected in the recent thoughtful communications from different parts of our mandala: a letter from the “pilgrimage organizers” who spoke to the Sakyong’s view based on their experience in Nepal; Lady Diana Mukpo who proposes to open up access to Chögyam Trungpa’s teachings; the Process Team presenting their “Sense of Shambhala” survey results; the open letter from the “Dharma Brats” to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche; the letter from a group of Acharyas who have resigned, and a letter from a group of Acharyas still active.

The Board has been able to meet with these groups and individuals: the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo, Lady Diana and Ashoka Mukpo, representatives of the Sakyong, different groups of the Process Team, and various groups of Acharyas. All of these meetings have been heartfelt, respectful and clarifying.

In addition, the Board continues to receive letters from individuals and centers expressing sincere views on these and related subjects. We also are individually and collectively, with the staff of Shambhala Global Services (SGS), engaged in the work of Shambhala: seeing daily the challenges and opportunities, strength and weakness, our resilience in the face of two major, almost existential, challenges—the pandemic and our own community’s crisis—as well as our vulnerability to division. Thus, as a Board, we believe that we need to begin to articulate our view more clearly at this time.

We have been encouraged to see that there is genuine integrity and bravery in what people are trying to accomplish and embody. We also recognize how much intensity is occurring as people feel they need to make decisions about their relationship with the teachings and the teacher. We are not immune from this intensity.

The Board sees that its role in these times is to hold the space for these dynamic tensions with an open mind, to allow change to evolve, to avoid division and factionalism, and to support a broad and inclusive mandala. That said, we are not “merely trying to be all things to all people.”

We believe that a vital and contemporary Shambhala must sustain the interplay between the vision and wisdom of the Shambhala lineage and our diverse community of dedicated practitioners. Thus, we, as a Board, remain firm in our commitment to serve the best interests of both. We are engaging in conversations with the Sakyong and the Sakyong Potrang about these and other issues, and how to go forward.

We feel it is important to communicate to you that we are committed to creating and maintaining:

• A mandala centered on the teachings of both Sakyongs, the Shambhala terma and the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
• A view of the Shambhala sangha as a community of practitioners at various points on the path, from entry level meditation practitioner through the Vajrayana, joined by the Shambhala dharma and its lineage, united in a view of Basic Goodness and the principles and practice of warriorship and Enlightened Society.
• Inclusive, supportive, and responsive local and regional communities which invest in ongoing initiatives and training, to promote and sustain community health and well being.
• An uplifted society, interested in working with the arts, the environment, physical warrior practices, the household, the family, personal recovery, and health and wellbeing, as well as social engagement, governance, and leadership.
• A well-run non-profit organization with excellence in compliance, legal and financial affairs with transparency and community input.
• A supportive organization, caring for its members and staff, with well-conceived policies and codes with appropriate and responsive supportive structures.
• A governance approach in which there is radiance and responsiveness back and forth between center and fringe.
• Inviting and listening with an open mind to all the diverse views and insights throughout our mandala to learn from the past and carefully guide necessary organizational changes for a prosperous and harmonious future.
• That it is the Board’s responsibility to provide governance and an organizational container that supports these paths which requires us to take a long view into our future.

We acknowledge there are challenges to meet and healing work to be done, but we should not give up. May the Shambhala lineage, teachings and practice persevere, overcome obstacles, and thrive.

Please see below for our monthly update including information on the organization’s latest financial report, release of the new Shambhala Code of Conduct, and more.

With all heartfelt intentions in the lineage of the Great Eastern Sun,

The Shambhala Board

Veronika Bauer
Mark Blumenfeld
Phil Cass
John Cobb
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Financial Results through June 30, 2020

Shambhala Global Services posted net income of $58,098 for the first six months of 2020, which was 45% below our budgeted goal. Typically SGS has a profit in the first half of the year due to Shambhala Day donations, but then operates at a loss in the second half of the year. Revenues and activities were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Shambhala Community’s continued challenges. While the results were below budget, they were not a surprise in that budget monitoring and expense controls have been timely and effective. That said, we will need to grow revenues and maintain a tight rein on expenses to move through the balance of the year and into 2021. For the full Q2 financial report click here.

Code of Conduct

The Shambhala Board has reviewed and enthusiastically approved the new Code of Conduct. A download of the five policies can be found on the new Code of Conduct Hub website here. We appreciate the hard work and wisdom of the Code of Conduct Support Group in fashioning this policy. We trust that it will provide the community with a clear sense of common values and purpose going forward. Your feedback on the Code of Conduct will be very important, so please take time to review the policies and fill out the feedback form.

If you have not seen the new website, please look, it is highly informative, and will be updated regularly to keep the community up to date. https://code-of-conduct.shambhala.org/. Finally, the current Care and Conduct website, https://communitycare.shambhala.org, will remain active until the new policies go into effect on Shambhala Day 2021, and will retain information related to the current Care and Conduct Policy, the International C&C Panel, as well as past initiatives.

Sense of Shambhala Survey

The first set of reports from the Sense of Shambhala Survey, conducted by the Shambhala Process Team in early 2020, are available from the Process Team Website. The Board would like to thank the Process Team members who designed the Sensing Shambhala Survey as well as those who collected, analyzed and reported on the results.

A broad cross section of current and former members of Shambhala, as well as those who feel connected to Shambhala but have never actually been members, were invited to respond, and over 3,000 individuals responded. The available reports present the quantitative findings and include summary sections and tables reporting the findings in detail.

The responses reported cover a broad set of personal experiences in Shambhala, experiences with local centers and groups, and views and aspirations for the global Shambhala organization. Among the many interesting findings are the aspects of Shambhala most meaningful to respondents, the distribution of current practice and study paths, how many respondents have felt marginalized or devalued in our community in recent years, and what the impact of the current crisis in Shambhala has been on individuals and on local centers and groups.

The strong response to the survey and the heartfelt quality of the answers to the open-ended questions demonstrate how deeply our community cares about Shambhala. A future report will present an analysis of the many open-ended questions included on the survey.

Community Grants

We are pleased to announce that from the first round of community grant applications we are funding three additional Care and Conduct related projects. These include the following sangha-led training programs:

• Addressing Bias & Trauma (for USD 8.350 by Trinley Busby)
• Awareness Raising Officer Training (for EUR 7.500 by Arnd Riester)
• Establishing the Path of Inclusivity Warriorship & Social Liberation (for USD 7.800 by Charlene Leung)

We are still open to receive applications for the second round of grants focusing on Diversity and Inclusivity, which have an August 31 deadline. So far around 10 enquiries have been received and we are looking forward to reviewing the applications that the Community has been working on. Please use the online form by clicking here.

You can also send us questions to the following email: grants@shambhala.org

Appointments and Departures

Shambhala Global Services (SGS) Staff Changes
We would like to acknowledge the retirement of two individuals who have been working for many years for Shambhala and who have been extraordinarily dedicated to their work supporting our community.

Cynthia MacKay has been a stalwart upholding Shambhala government principles, relating tirelessly to center and group leaders worldwide, maintaining community leadership communications and always caring about all the individuals involved. She is known for her adventurous world travels, stopping at centers along the way for meetings, oath ceremonies and practices. We thank Cynthia for the energy and inspiration she has given the community in her role as Deputy Minister of Government.

Shelly Webb has been the Kasung liaison helping with Kasung personnel and administrative issues. She has always brought deep caring and continuity to her work and, although she is leaving her job with SGS, she will continue in a leadership role as part of the new Dorje Kasung Staff Group.

We warmly welcome Nina Migliari to SGS who will take on the Dorje Kasung liaison role as well as working with the Director of Community Care and Conduct.

Position Open: Director of Governance and Leadership
Shambhala is looking for a new mandala-wide leader to step into the role of Director of Governance and Leadership. This position provides direct support to Centre, Group, and other leaders in Shambhala as part of the SGS management team. For more information, click here to see the job description and application information. Applications are due August 22.

Mimi Valiulus and Philip Keogh Stepping Down as Directors of Sky Lake Lodge
We would like to thank Mimi and Philip for their caring work directing Sky Lake Lodge for the last 18 months. They had continued the tradition of taking very good care of program participants and had established a full program schedule before the pandemic. With Sky Lake Lodge now going into caretaker mode (only small community gatherings will be held there), they will be returning to Ireland where Philip has employment, they have their home, and Mimi will continue in her role as Director of Shambhala Online. We wish them every success and appreciate the care they put into Sky Lake Lodge which we will look forward to re-opening once the nation is beyond the pandemic.

Appointments

Shambhala Global Services:

• Dorje Kasung Liaison to Shambhala Global Services: Nina Migliari

Process Team:

• Coordinating Body: Janet Bronstein, Catherine Éveillard, Jim Fladmark, Shel Sampa Fisher, Kristine McCutcheon, Nora Wiser, Diane Whitcomb

The Coordinating Body was developed from an iterative process of feedback and input from the Process Team, at the conclusion of the first year of work. The structure and current roles of the Coordinating Body can be found here.

Their role isn’t to make decisions for the working groups, but simply to communicate their activity and work. They want to help the community and the Process Team and the Shambhala Board connect to the Working Groups and projects that are happening in Shambhala.

Departures
Acharyas:

• Emily Bower, Orhun Cercel, Holly Gayley, Lodro Dorje Holm, David Hope, Beate Kirchhof-Schlage, Mitchell Levy, Adam Lobel, Barbara Märtens, Noel McLellan, Melissa Moore, Arnd Riester, John Rockwell, and Sabine Rolf resigned.
• Christie Cashman and Susan Chapman retired for reasons of health.
• Charlene Leung retired.

To read letters from Christie, Susan and Charlene, please click here.

Shastris:

• Anne Bakker resigned as Shastri in Leiden (this was in the past 6 months, but never announced)
• Sandra Ladley resigned as Shastri in Berkeley and Northern California
• Cor Lavan resigned as Shastri in Rotterdam (this happened over 6 months ago.)
• Jerry Webster stepping out of his position as Shastri in Washington D.C. as of the end of August
• Ancilla van Steekelenberg resigned as Shastri in Arnhem
• Rudolf van Zonneveld resigned as Shastri in Utrecht
• Hans Zwart resigned as Shastri in Amsterdam (this happened over 6 months ago.)
• Nick Kranz resigned as Shastri in Boston, MA

Shambhala Global Services:

• Cynthia MacKay resigned as the Director of Centers and Groups and retired as the Deputy Minister of the Pillar of Government of Shambhala

• Shelly Webb stepped down as Dorje Kasung Liaison to Shambhala Global Services.

Sky Lake Lodge:

• Philip Keogh and Mimi Valiulis stepping down as Directors as Sky Lake moves into caretaker mode.

Errata: The last announcements incorrectly stated that Ron Renz and Janet Whalen retired as Co-Directors of Gampo Abbey when, in fact, they had completed their three-year terms of office.

Dear Shambhala Community —

We, as the Board of Directors of Shambhala, are pleased to ratify and introduce to the Shambhala Community the new Code of Conduct consisting of the following documents:

• Shambhala Code of Conduct
• Child Protection Policy
• Policy for People Holding Positions of Authority
• Policy to Address Sexual Misconduct
• Policy on Diversity, Inclusivity and Anti-Discrimination

Together, these five policies comprise the new Shambhala Code of Conduct, known as “the Code.”
Access the new Code of Conduct:

Click Here to Access a PDF of all five Policies

Code of Conduct Hub Site: A Code of Conduct Hub website is now live. This resource makes available all the new policies and procedures, as well as supportive information, training and education materials, recordings of past webinars, and more.
 The site will continue to be updated as more resources become available. Click here to access the Code of Conduct Hub website.Community Feedback: You are warmly invited to give your feedback on the new Shambhala Code of Conduct policies, which will take effect on Shambhala Day, 2021. Your feedback will be compiled and analyzed in order to improve the policies. Click here to access the feedback form.

Our Gratitude to the Support Group

The Code is largely the work of the Code of Conduct Support Group (CCSG) (formerly the Code of Conduct Group of the Process team) who spent countless hours reviewing past codes, other sangha organizations, getting feedback from experts within and without the sangha, and then drafting in collaboration with others. The work of the CCSG has been outstanding. They listened and researched the painful parts of our history, developed a framework for behaviors, and thoroughly trusted in a community dialogue. Their work is truly a gift to Shambhala. We thank them wholeheartedly and look forward to them continuing the work of shaping the procedures and infrastructure of the Code.

While this is a “new” Code, we would be remiss if we did not point out that it stands on the shoulders of much skillful and caring work over 50 years by so many people, including specifically the Panel Members, the Desung Corps, and many others. Likewise, it arises out of, and seeks to build upon, the rich teachings we have received such as creating an enlightened and just society, wholesome human conduct, and joining heaven and earth.

Scope and Effective Date

The Code, as distinct from past efforts, applies to everyone in Shambhala, from the lineage holder to the introductory program participant and at every activity sponsored by Shambhala. The procedures and infrastructure, a critically important part of the Code, are still in the process of being developed and put in place. As a result, the Code is to be effective on Shambhala Day, February 12, 2021 and will only cover complaints based on occurrences on or after that effective date.

The Code is a Collective Commitment

The Code is an offering by and for the mandala. The Code sets forth a collective understanding as to the parameters of our path as warriors. It is a commitment to the quality of the environment we seek to establish and maintain for ourselves and provide for our guests and new members. In that way, the Code is a map or a guide. How effective it is relies upon the users. It is not a guarantee of good behavior or the elimination of bad behavior. It humbly offers a set of guardrails on the path.

The Code is not an edict, or a top-down attempt either to monitor or regulate conduct or seek superficial conformity or hyper-vigilance. By ratifying this Code, and soon its procedures and infrastructure, Shambhala does not undertake a duty or responsibility to “enforce” this Code. There is no prosecutorial function in Shambhala, nor should there be. The Code is a catalyst for taking responsibility individually and for individual self-regulation. The skillful use of the Code depends entirely on the participation and decision making of each one of us. In addition, the implementation of the Code depends upon the good will and exertion of trained sangha volunteers.

Our understanding and awareness, our trust in our and others’ basic goodness, our compassion and skillful means, right action, and our aspiration for good human society are our individual work and the core of what it means to be part of Shambhala. Warriorship cannot be delegated or abdicated, to this or any Code, nor can the Code be relied on as a substitute for practice and doing this work. This responsibility is succinctly stated as the second aspect of good conduct as “Taking responsibility for one’s own mind.”

That said, misconduct, if brought to light, will have consequences. While the remedies available to the sangha or the Council to address a complaint may be limited, the Code of Conduct Council will have authority to assist claimants, hold hearings, adjudicate disputes and take preventative measures.

The Code is Applicable to Everyone

In a significant departure from former codes, the Code “applies to everyone present in any activity associated with Shambhala, in person or online, regardless of where the activity occurs.” It applies to the entire mandala. The responsibility for the Code and the manifestation of its principles is evenly spread throughout the hierarchy. The Code is meant to be a natural manifestation of the wisdom of basic goodness as applied on the warrior path as we aspire to create enlightened society. It builds upon our experience in 50 years of practice and training in joining heaven and earth and holding and protecting the space. It is not a fruition, but renewed growth.

The Code describes a range of misconduct outside of the norm, that can have serious consequences to individuals and tear at the fabric of our society. It is not a bureaucratic substitute for working with often difficult human interactions, disagreements, relationships, or emotionally charged situations, which are the grist for our post meditation practice. The Code should wake us up to the difference, the contrast between the personal insult and serious abuse, between the tactless and the truly obscene, and the momentary lapse versus chronic behavior. In this work, we should be conscious of the guideline “that the warrior never gives up on anyone” in tension with the teachings on “idiot” compassion.

Sometimes, we hear, “we will take care of this matter ourselves” – not proffered out of genuine confidence in our superior approach, but as an excuse for not revealing our dark side. When one hears “we can handle this within Shambhala,” one should think again. As the Code states, often the best response to evident misconduct is to call the police. In incidents of significant misconduct or serious abuse, the Code and its enforcement is dependent upon outside agencies, such as the police and the courts, on its prevention and safety aspects. Similarly, perhaps, we should advise a friend to see a lawyer or other professional rather than “sit more” with a clearly harmful situation. Hopefully, the Code should make us more conscious of our motivations in making such choices.

Seeing Our Collective Cocoon

We have had serious problems and, in time, developed blind spots to the habitual or repetitive nature of these problems. Even worse, when we have noticed misconduct or abuse, we have ignored them, swept them under the rug, out of resignation, powerlessness, or even a contorted dharmic justification. We have mistaken the brilliance of the Three Jewels for the absence of darkness. The Code in this sense is offered as a provocation for discussion, for illumination of our collective cocoon, for dialogue and education – a mutual waking up.

The Code is an attempt to address past problems by expressing our agreement to their unacceptability for the future, to empower our capacity for awareness, regulating our behavior, validating constructive feedback for ourselves and others, and protecting the vulnerable. Nevertheless, the Code is prospective in its application, and, thus, not an avenue to litigate past abuses. The Board has set in motion other initiatives to address that work.

The Code focuses on our habitual blind spots. In the four policy statements, the Code addresses in detail areas which are identified as demanding scrutiny. These areas of special consideration are: Child Protection; People Holding Positions of Authority; Addressing Sexual Misconduct; and Diversity, Inclusivity and Anti-Discrimination. The recurring themes responded to in these sections are worthy of our most rigorous attention.

The Board’s Commitment

We wholeheartedly endorse the Code, and collectively, as individuals, and as “people in authority,” agree to abide by its provisions. Each of us have signed the Oath of Commitment. We endorse, and will strive to abide by, the basic values underlying the Code and its processes, so articulately set forth by the CCSG, that of restoring Trust, through Care, Transparency, Inclusivity and Accountability.

We commit to finding the resources to make the Code and its processes accessible, trustworthy, workable, and an inspiration to all members. The Board is strongly committed to making this process and its decisions fair and meaningful to the individual participants and to the community. We will steadfastly support and back up the work, findings, and recommendations of the Council as it takes up issues of significance.

In Conclusion

The Code is a gift to the community and a reminder to all of us of our power to harness our innate goodness in any situation. We offer this Code of Conduct as a foundation for the Shambhala community in the manifestation of Enlightened Society. The principles set forth in the Code are a basis for forming a good human society and are a starting point, rather than a final word, on how we exist together.

 

The Shambhala Board

Veronika Bauer
Mark Blumenfeld
John Cobb
Phil Cass
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Friend,

We hope you are safe and healthy during this time of major cultural transformation. We believe this time can be an opportunity to relate to these energetic and societal forces with open hearts, so we can evolve and move forward as a community in unprecedented ways.

As the world grapples with painful but needed change, many shifts in our community are also underway. We are are engaging in new ways of online gathering that are crossing cultural and geographical divides and powerfully connecting us as a global sangha; we are offering trainings in Right Use of Power for all leadership and members; a reparative process for the entire community is being explored; updated Codes of Conduct will soon be implemented, including a policy on Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination; the Shambhala Board is offering grants that will focus on initiatives of diversity and inclusion; financial support is being offered to local Centres and Groups who need it; and the Shambhala Process Team has introduced over 5% of Shambhala members to new and powerful ways of being together through the principles of Theory U.

While we still have much to learn and do, so many worthy initiatives are coming to fruition, and we are encouraged to keep going, to move forward, to not stop until our community even more fully embodies the principles of inclusivity, kindness, and deep care. These principles are at the core of our teachings and are why Shambhala is important to us.

For all the ways that Shambhala has been a valuable and meaningful part of your life – and to help us continue to become and even more kind and awakened community – please consider becoming a Lotus Donor and contributing $42 or more monthly to support Shambhala Global Services, for an annual total of $500 or more.

For each new Lotus Donor in 2020, another $500 USD will be offered to Shambhala Global Services from a matching grant (up to $100,000 USD)! Please join the over 100 people who have already become Lotus Donors in 2020 by contacting Shambhala Development Director Faradee Rudy at faradee.rudy@shambhala.org and she can take care of setting up your monthly donation.

Recurring gifts in any amount and one time gifts of any amount also make a big difference. Please offer whatever you can!

Donate

We recognize that some of our community members are being economically impacted by societal and pandemic upheaval, but for those who can, we do hope you will consider becoming a Lotus Donor or making a one-time gift to support our ongoing growth and evolution.

We still have much work and learning to do and the road is long and filled with obstacles, but we can do it. So let’s do it. Together.

With our warmest regards and gratitude,

The Shambhala Board:

Veronika Bauer
Mark Blumenfeld
Phil Cass
John Cobb
Susan Engel
Lilly Gleich
Peter Nowak
Tai Pimputkar
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas
Contact Us: You can contact us at board@shambhala.org.

Why Ongoing Fundraising Is So Important

We are aware that some people are questioning the need for fundraising in light of the sale of Marpa House in 2019 – a residential community house in Boulder, Colorado. You can click here for an explanation of why fundraising for Shambhala remains vitally important to its financial health and longevity.

We also recognize that talking about fundraising continues to be challenging. We are all thinking about our future and how we will evolve as a lineage and community, and are in the groundless space of that unknown. As people who are still members of the community at this time, we can join together to give generously so that the core components of our community can continue to function through this period until we can collectively discover new leadership structures and processes and ways of being together.

In spite of the very real challenges and differences of view in our community at this time, we can feel a sense of confidence that Shambhala does have something powerful and important to offer to the world – the teachings on basic goodness, warriorship, and a good and just society, as well as the nourishment and support of the Shambhala sangha that has been deeply meaningful to so many of us. No matter our point of view, these basic principles can be our common ground and are worthy of support.

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How are Donations Used?

Your donations support the Shambhala community and Center and Member Services, as coordinated by Shambhala Global Services, which provides all the critical infrastructure, support, and resources on which Centers, Groups, and members worldwide rely.

You can click here to view a comprehensive overview of Shambhala Global Services.
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Financial Reports

For information about finances, please click here to view Shambhala financial reports. (You may need to sign in to the members page and then click on the “Members” tab, then “Finance Report to the Shambhala Community”)

Dear Shambhala Community –

 

As we announced on June 9, 2020, we are inviting individuals and groups within Shambhala to apply for a second round of Community Grants that will focus specifically on initiatives related to dismantling all forms of systemic discrimination and oppression within our community. We welcome proposals that collaborate with groups or individuals outside of Shambhala who are working in areas such as: racism and racial injustice, gender bias, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community,  socioeconomic inequality, education and awareness around whiteness and white fragility, and more. These grants are available to individuals and groups working on projects sponsored by Shambhala Centres, Groups, and other nonprofit organizations.

 

After the projects are chosen, we will  announce the initiatives to the community and continue to follow their progress.

 

To present an initiative and ask for funds, please use the online form by clicking here. You can add more materials to support the application if you wish. 

 

If you intend to apply for a grant, please submit your application no later than August 31, 2020. It is helpful to let us know in advance that you intend to apply and are working to complete the grant at grants@shambhala.org. Please also send any questions you may have to this address.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Shambhala Board

Veronika Bauer

Mark Blumenfeld

John Cobb

Phil Cass

Susan Engel

Lilly Gleich

Peter Nowak

Tai Pimputkar

Susan Ryan

Paulina Varas

 

Tara Templin, Director of Community Care and Conduct

Dear Shambhala Community —
On July 5, a group of acharyas resigned their posts and released a letter to the Shambhala sangha. This letter is now available on the Shambhala Times, and you can find it by following this link.
We want to thank these teachers for their dedication to us as students over many years. They have offered their time, hearts and generosity to each of us, and we appreciate their many contributions to the Shambhala vision.  We hope that they continue to teach us for years to come.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Shambhala Board

Veronika Bauer

Mark Blumenfeld

John Cobb

Phil Cass

Susan Engel

Lilly Gleich

Peter Nowak

Tai Pimputkar

Susan Ryan

Paulina Varas