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Envisioning Questions for Community Members
Walter Coates
 Personal Connection
- What are your personal needs in this community? This could be practice needs. Social needs. Intellectual needs. Shambhala arts?
There is an issue around the passing of responsibility from old to new, lack of confidence. Things have to change there.
Some people currently hold back and do not become involved themselves in particular duties and are therefore not part of the decision making. If this is the case and they do not get involved then I feel they have to be patient and have confidence with the decision makers.
- What about our Curriculum & Course’s. Are we lacking in an area(s)?
To the Community we should continue to offer Shambhala Buddhism courses and levels, art forms like flower arranging, calligraphy, music. Also the possability of other types of programs for young people children and teens and elederly. Ie me. Elder yoga.
To non community activities for children and elderly. The line between community and non-community is vague and this is a good thing.
Vision for the Centre
- What do we do well at our center?Courses, med. Instruction, etc
We offer excellent programs. Safe learning environment, safe to be and become. Personal support to Walter personally.
- What do we not do well at our center?
We can’t accommodate the interest because of space. Sometimes our efficiency is not so good, sometimes process is duplicated. We have been guilty of criticizing those that have been willing to jump in and do the work and as well not recognizing them for the work they have done.
- What is our responsibility, if any, to the greater Vancouver community?
Continuing to offer our Shambhala and Shambhala Buddhist programs. Walter really likes awake in action and the process of getting our community into the world.
Physical Space
Should be bigger by 1.75 x. Both shrine areas bigger by 1.5 x. Community room that is bigger and welcoming and is a not a bottleneck. Has qualities of inner court. More offices, more storage, more meeting rooms. If we are currently 3000 ft we would be in the area of 4500 sq. Ft.
Above ground or store front is ok as long as there is safe public access/handicap. Location could be somewhere in lower mainland.
Must be close to public transit
Safe
Safe
- What are the non-negotiables related to space we need to meet at our new center?
We have to have a sacred meditation space. A space that preserves the sacred quality of our shambhala buddhist community.
How long should we take, when should we target our move? 12 months by next spring. Fast enough so that we don’t loose people to not enough space both physical and psychological.
Safe. Walter feels safe for him to be who he is when he enters the Shambhala Center, a person can be black, gay, handicapped and feel safe and not only safe but empowered at the Shambhala center currently. We need a center were people feel encouraged to grow and an opportunity to grow. When he first came to the center he recognized there were all sorts of people at this center, some strange, some weird, all sorts of personalities and this fact made him feel good, it was a good experience. Said differently that this was the type of world and mandala he wanted to be part of.
Moving Forward
- How do we make decisions about moving? In other words there will be many decisions to be made in this process, How do we go about our decision making?
Get community consensus of as many people as possible and trust the group that is empowered to act.
- How would you like to be involved in this relocation process?
Walter is willing to help out in the web process. He sees himself in a supportive position and can be called upon. The area of the arts is a passion and he would like to become involved in this area.
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