A letter from our Co-Directors

June 30, 2018 by davidkahane

Dearest Sangha Members,

We are heartbroken about the recent letter from the Sakyong about sexual harms and abuse of power.

If you are not yet aware of this, and would like to inform yourself, his letter, sent this past Sunday, is available online. The Kalapa Council, our international community’s highest governance body, followed up with this letteron Wednesday. There is a webpage outlining the range of responses the international community is putting in place to sexual and others harms.

We want you to know that we are steadfastly committed to supporting our members, walking with and alongside you to weather this painful news together.  The only answer we have is to join our hearts and minds together, to listen deeply to our own and each other’s experience, and to provide love and support going forward.

As we penetrate the darkness of this moment, we trust we can find our way.  The most powerful force for healing is the truth. It pains us that this is part of our truth today.  To walk through this together, to share our feelings and thoughts – all of them – will help us build a path forward.  We want to walk with love, equanimity, and steadfastness. We will support you in whatever your choice is that most takes care of yourself, even if that means leaving the community.

We met as council to be present to each other and our own responses. We will be holding a series of gatherings, listening circles, over the next several weeks to hear from you, your hurts, your heartfelt cries and hopes. We will hold space on the following dates at the Shambhala Centre:

  • Wednesday, July 4, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Sunday, July 8, 1:00-2:30 pm
  • Wednesday, July 11, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Sunday, July 15, 9:00 – 10:00 am

Once we have met as a community we will communicate with the Kalapa Council the concerns and wishes from our membership. If you want to express your concerns directly to the Sakyong or the Kalapa Council, please write to [email protected].

In the meantime, please reach out to us or those you trust for the support you need. We will continue to be in communication with you.  More than anything, we want you to know that we are here for you.  You are not alone.

Yours in truth, love and compassion,

Anita and Phyllis, Co-Directors, Edmonton Shambhala Centre