Enhancing Regional Collaboration in Shambhala: Insights from the Pacific Northwest Conference

1. Regional Collaboration Practices in Shambhala John David Smith for the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

2. Based on Interviews with… Chris Tamdjidi Amy Conway

3. A vision of administration • Joining heaven and earth • nurturing people on the ground level • Creating the cradle of loving kindness • In context • As a path • On a budget • Intentionally • Always a work in progress…

4. Themes from Europe • Regional care more than governance • Shambhala as a community of teachers • Scarcity of teachers in London • Helping people visualize their paths • Oversight for teacher training • Coordinate training and teaching assignments • Annual refreshers, prep for next step • Coordinator: a 5 year appointment • Delegate as far as possible • Learning about learning • People won’t travel before Level 3

5. Types of regions in Europeas of 2003 • Small emerging groups – • many small emerging groups • share their experiences, and pool their energies • benefit from the clear guidance of one or more mentors • Medium groups and centers – • a collection of older groups or smaller centers • share experiences as administrators and coordinate programs • Strong center with satellites – • one or two strong centers actively supported smaller centers • main center actively spends time sending human resources and funds

6. What brings NCS Centers closer together • Energy from Pema, the Sakyong, Pres Reoch • Pema’s programs funded position • Regional effort to put on • Pema’s intervention & instruction • you need to work together • SMR’s vision of a Dzong • Community events – apart from teaching situations • Regional mid-summers day • Shambhala Ball? Not quite there this year, but hopefully next year • Regional teaching events • Acharya events • Eva Wong – talk on “setting the throne of the king” • Oct 2010 will be the last Pema event • That event could fund several years • Need another funding model after that • Centers contribute but it is a pittance

7. Support example: Grass Valley QC • The one sadhaka was moving to Berkeley • Wondered whether to disband the group • Only 1 person had gone to Dhatun • Other Shanghas showed up at their sitting times • Lots of crazy stuff – mixing different traditions • Amy talked to the 2 Umdzes • Described Shambhala rules • They wanted to remain in Shambhala: in name and in practice • Amy met with the group. Had dinner, gave a dharma talk. Talked up Shambhala Online resources. • Arranged for 4 visits from a Davis MI / teacher. Amy recruited Davis MIs. • Followed up afterward • Stay tuned

8. What “keeps things going along” in the NCS Region • Programs with President or Eva Wong • Working with Shambhala principles to articulate a regional vision • Continual reminders of the Mahayana view • Schedule 4 meetings per year for center directors

9. Capacity-building programs in the NCS Region • Shambhala Guide program every year • MI training • AD training programs • Teacher Training • Vow ceremonies These do not generate revenues, but are service essential offerings NCS Centers have not paid for regional administration

10. Regional Coordinator Responsibilities in the NCS Region • SI Ambassador/Liason – Sakyong’s Council • Leadership – develop the vision • Governance – Board development, appointments • Financial Management – Budgeting, control • Support Regional Programs – Pema, SMR • Quality – decorum, practice, study, teaching • Communication – meetings, newsletters • Taking care of sangha / Desung • Administration - manage

11. Impact of the Internet • A tool for regional coordination • Waiting 4 weeks for VROT response • Now Shambhala International can deliver instruction directly • Give remote people jobs of supporting remote activities • Face to face foundation • Meditation Instruction • Practice programs