Envisioning a New Vancouver Shambhala Centre

The Inspiration

The inspiration to relocate the Vancouver Shambhala Centre comes from recognizing that we have an important role to play in the presentation and continuation of the Shambhala Buddhist teachings. We have been inspired and nurtured by two eminent teachers, the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and his son and heir Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. They have been steadfast in their commitment to presenting the Shambhala Buddhist traditions and to preserving the wisdom of the Nyingma, Kagyu and Shambhala lineages.

The Vancouver Shambhala Centre is at an exciting crossroads. We have continued to grow and expand as a community and can no longer effectively present the wisdom of our tradition(s) at 3275 Heather. We are too many with too much to offer and have long been bursting at the seams.

The Envisioning a New Vancouver Shambhala Centre project is directed at bringing our energy as a sangha together in order for change to take place in an uplifted Shambhalaian way.

The Process

How do we get there? We will move forward maintaining a high level of visibility, transparency and inclusivity. We hope everyone will take the opportunity to be part of the process and share their input. We will use the shambhala website as a means to keep everyone informed as to ongoing initiatives and progress.

Appreciative Enquiry (AE): The AE was conceived and managed by Dale Trimble, Mary Kean and Arden Hendley 3 years ago. The AE process came into being in order to assist with questions raised during the Vancouver Shambhala Centre review of leadership, direction and physical space. We are now continuing the process initiated by the AE with a view to relocating the Vancouver Shambhala Centre.

Member Envisioning Interview (MEI): Initiated in April 09, the MEIs are a way to involve everyone in the community and ask the question, what is your dream for the Vancouver Shambhala Centre? All Shambhala members and friends are invited to be interviewed. If you would like an interview and have not been contacted please be in touch with John Fox, Jill Gift or Betty Rongae. To date we have conducted over 50 member interviews. By the fall of 09 these interviews will begin to be posted on the Shambhala website.

Surveys: With the assistance of Barb Moffat and David Marshall two surveys have been created; a member and non-member survey. The member survey will be available for completion on the website. The non-member survey will be available to people visiting the centre for the first time. Both surveys, when tabulated, will provide quantitative information that will assist in supporting future decisions. Survey results will be made available to view on the website.

Community Meeting: A community meeting will be held in the fall 09. At that time we will be able to gain insights and clarify the process to date.

We will be providing the next project update in the fall and will continue to post progress reports and information on the website. Please continue to check in, your input and involvement is important.

As someone stated in a recent MEI: “we have done very well working out of a basement for 33 years however it is now time to move”.

Currently my role in this process is to continue to talk to people and move this initiative of a new Vancouver Shambhala Centre forward. I am personally committed to this project and will do what I can to see it to completion.

Yours Truly,
John Fox