Another location to find current events in Shambhala International is at The Shambhala Times.

Shambhala Treasurer provides update on crisis at Shambhala Mountain Center

Nov 24, 2009

We know that there has been a considerable amount of concern, fear and confusion regarding the financial situation at Shambhala Mountain Center and we want to provide everyone with a complete picture. The Shambhala Treasurer, Connie Brock, has prepared a full report, a summary of which follows. There are also links to the full report.

In addition to this report, we are offering everyone the opportunity to call in and ask questions at either of two community conference calls. The first call will be tomorrow, Wednesday 25 November, at 5pm Mountain time and the second this Sunday 29 November at 1pm Mountain time. The number for both calls is 1-213-289-0500. The code is 962269#.

You are also welcome to contact either the Shambhala Treasurer, Connie Brock or the Shambhala Mountain Center Director, Jon Barbieri. Their emails are: and

Summary of the Treasurer's update

Addressing the crisis at Shambhala Mountain Center: A Report to the Community

In October this year, Shambhala Mountain Center faced the most serious crisis it has ever known. Following a severe economic downturn and with the global financial meltdown affecting some of our most generous sustaining patrons, it was clear that the time had come for deep reflection and change.

The Board of Shambhala Mountain Center held a five-day retreat to address this crisis. Immediately following that, the President of Shambhala Richard Reoch and the Chagdzo Kyi Khyap (Bursar General) Connie Brock, wrote to the entire mandala outlining the situation. This report included not only Shambhala Mountain Center, but also our finances internationally and in Shambhala Europe.

Over the next 30 days, the board continued to meet to work on the situation and more fully develop plans for a way forward.

A full report on the crisis, the actions taken and the next steps has now been prepared. Following is a summary of the full report. Various links are provided at the end of the summary.

Change the financial model

Over the years Shambhala Mountain Center has had an ongoing pattern of running significant cash flow deficits, which led to periodic financial crises that then motivated major fundraising campaigns.

The economic crisis has affected Shambhala Mountain Center in two ways: program attendance is down, and large donors are no longer able to sustain their past levels of generosity.

At its October retreat, the Board agreed to immediate expense cuts of approximately $500,000 for the period November 2009 to March 2010. A significant part of this was reducing the off-season staff by 35%, to a level that better matches expected off-season programming. In addition, most of the remaining staff at Shambhala Mountain Center helped by taking a pay reduction for several months.

Plans were developed to make fundamental changes to our financial model over the next 12-24 months, so that there would be no return to the earlier cycle. In particular, the new year-round staffing model will be based on flexing from higher staffing in peak season to lower staffing in the off season.

Change the culture

The board acknowledged the critical role played by the culture at Shambhala Mountain and also developed plans to strengthen the culture.

Through the winter months virtually all staff will move into the Rigden Lodge, thereby improving the housing conditions for most and, more importantly, enabling this to become a practice community with easier access to regular periods of group meditation. A series of visiting acharyas and senior teachers will provide teachings and practice guidance for the staff. In addition to strengthening the current situation, this is essential to lay the ground for the Sakyong's vision of the future development he wishes to see at Shambhala Mountain Center.

For the 15 October Shambhala News Service referenced above, please click here.

For the full Shambhala Mountain report on the crisis, please click here.

For how you can help, please click and scroll to "How You Can Help" on page 4.

For more information about the vision for Shambhala Mountain, please click here.

(This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)