Planning Workshop Dharma Centre of Canada Board of Directors Toronto Nov 10-11, 2007

- "A place can give you something an idea can't" -

INTRODUCTION

What is the Dharma Centre for?
Who is the Dharma Centre for?
What does the Dharma Centre need?

These are questions that the Board of Directors of the Dharma Centre of Canada and a number of interested volunteers worked with over the November 10-11 planning weekend.

We were meeting to discuss a proposal for revitalizing the Dharma Centre, based on the observation that the Centre had been losing its sense of purpose since the death in 2003 of the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, and that the viability of both the organization and the physical facilities was becoming questionable.

The November 10-11 meeting was the first step in a series of meetings aimed at looking at some of the central issues facing the centre regarding governance, finances, facilities, and intentions.

The full consultation process would include the following elements:

DC Board session Nov 2007
Community meetings Jan - March 2008
Teachers' forum & Interviews To be determined
Synthesis By April 30 2008
Special Meeting of Membership By May 15 2008

APPROACH

The Board was given a series of questions to work with over the two day workshop. After posing each question participants would do a twenty-minute meditation sit, then report their findings.

Meditations and reporting sessions were interspersed with relatively short presentations on issues of Board governance and the consultation process, facilitated by me (Brian McLeod).

This format allowed individual Board members and other participants to go beyond reflex responses, and to dig a bit more deeply into their assumptions about the Dharma Centre's purpose and operations. It also reduced the tendency of such sessions to get into circular discussions or assessments of who is right or wrong, and enabled Board participants to see the wide range of each other's views and motivations.

FINDINGS

A summary of the participants' reports is attached. I have also provided links to each question within the electronic document. I will not do a lot of synthesis here, as over-analysis at this point may keep us from seeing alternatives that may come up in community consultations.

Saturday - Board Session - What is leadership? -

The Saturday session started directly after a regular Board of Directors business meeting.

The aim of this part of the workshop was to start with issues relating specifically to the Board and its functioning, before advancing to the broader consultation process.

Following a fifteen minute introduction we started with the question - What is leadership? - to emphasize the fact that this Board will be the group to lead the DC through this planning process to a set of decisions over the next year or so.

To work with the idea of leadership a number of people contemplated the group itself, while others moved to - What is a leader? - , focusing on the idea of an individual leader . In most cases there was a sense that leadership must be confident and visible, resonating with deeper energies and aspirations.

Following the participants' reports we moved on to a discussion of some of the nuts and bolts of Board governance - finances, Facilities management, marketing / communications, and so on.

We agreed that the Board should hold a separate workshop dedicated to governance and organizational development at some point in the next three or four months.

Saturday - Board Session - What is the Dharma Centre for? -

Following the Board-centred part of the workshop we started to work with a range of questions going from very general to increasingly specific, designed to allow the Board to think in broader terms than they do ordinarily, and to re-connect with their own sense of the land and the community.

The first of these questions was - What is the Dharma Centre for? -

Responses to this question were visionary, archetypal and poetic, with a tone of light, connectedness and refuge accompanied by a very strong feeling for the land and Nature.

Sunday - Open Session - Who is the Dharma Centre for?
- What does the Dharma Centre need? -

On Sunday we opened up the work a little to include a few people who may be considering taking on a facilitation role.

After reviewing the findings of the Saturday session we asked the next question in the series: - Who is the Dharma Centre for? - Once again responding to the very general quality of the question, participants refrained from specific suggestions, and instead emphasized that the Centre is open to any being, human or otherwise, that is looking for Teaching.

The final question on Sunday afternoon - What does the Dharma Centre need? - initiated a more concrete and managerial array of observations. Responses ranged from - Very little - it's doing fine - to - A lot of changes. - . I have listed responses to this question below along with the responses to other questions, but I have also arranged them in more functional categories, to illustrate how an action plan might emerge from the effort we propose to undertake.

RESULTS

Throughout the day Sunday we discussed the best format for a broad-based consultation. Participants agreed with the course of action suggested - Board workshop; community meetings; Teachers' forum; synthesis of data; and general.

This approval was accompanied by the proviso that some discussions, like those about governance structure or a new Constitution, would be best handled by the Board, at least until they can be refined to a point that public discussions can be clear and meaningful.

As we entered the arena of action the Board started to realize that this renewal project would require a lot of extra hours. Considering the amount of time Board work already demands, the Board and other participants present recognized that the people who drive the process will have to be someone other than Board members.

I also introduced these questions to see how well they might work in the consultation process itself, and to see if we could go from a high-level picture of the Centre to a view at a lower altitude that would prompt some decisive actions.

Although we did get to a more concrete level as we progressed, we did not get to the point where developing an action list seemed the obvious outcome. But we did conclude that an effective action plan might result from following our procedure a bit further, to ask more specific questions like - What are you prepared to do for the Dharma Centre? -

We talked about finalizing the set of questions that should be asked in community consultations, and I have volunteered to come up with a list and have them vetted by someone who works in the area of public surveys before presenting them.

The next step will be to identify a person or a group of people with the time and vigor to follow through with a deliberate and planned renewal of the Dharma Centre's sense of purpose. The success of the renewal project will hinge on the quality of leadership from whomever steps forward to manage it, and on the usefulness of the action plan that comes out the other side of the consultations.

So - a final question: - Is the Dharma Centre worth the effort? -

DECISIONS

1) Participants agreed with the course of action suggested - Board workshop; community meetings; Teachers' forum; synthesis of data; and general;

2) Some discussions, like those about governance structure or a new Constitution, would be best handled by the Board,;.

3) The Board should hold a separate workshop dedicated to governance and organizational development

4) The people who drive the renewal process will have to be someone other than Board members;

5) Brian has volunteered to develop a list of questions for the consultations;

6) Questions must get closer to an action plan than we reached, including, - What are you prepared to do for the Dharma Centre? -

7) Identify a person or a group of people to follow through with the renewal project.

PARTICIPANT LIST

Saturday, November 10

Board members:
Tracy Sheridan (Chair)
Maria Burns
Niels Walkau
Lisa Cowen
Rab Wilkie

Additional participants:
Terry Hagan
Mala Sikka
Brian McLeod

Sunday, November 11

Board members:
Tracy Sheridan (Chair)
Maria Burns
Niels Walkau
Lisa Cowen
Rab Wilkie
Trudy Gold

Additional participants:
Terry Hagan
Mala Sikka
Dhani
Trish
Tryg Schoening
Larry Gangbar
Brian McLeod


APPENDIX A:
SUMMARY OF RESPONSES

Question #1: WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

What is a leader?
- Someone who sees the necessity of a cause
- Able to listen well
o hears desires, spoken or unspoken, of group
- Able to manifest ideals of the group pragmatically
- Sees path to a goal
- Maintains focus on path
- Skill to bring out best in the group
- Role model

Thinking of this group as leadership:
- What kind of leader do we want to be?
o Task or burden attitude? or
o Facilitative, engaging leadership - responsive, respectful
- Embody ideals of leadership
o Six paramis
o Four Noble Truths
- Dance with membership; meaningfully engage membership
- Gardeners or Firekeepers?
o Facilitating growth or just keeping things going?

(Picking up a piece of paper from the floor shaped like an arrowhead)

Leadership is the arrow in each of us that points to what is right - a compass needle

- Ship's bow - leader-ship
o Cuts the water, cutting through
o Duality created as you move through the pristine purity
But:

If you don't want to move - stationary - anchoring - fixed leadership

The rudder leads when you need to change.

Question #1 (cont'd): WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

Leadership - Ship's keel

- Direction - help control direction, provide stability
o Connection
o To maintain direction, you need connection between people
o - We are all on the same page - , or at least in the same book, bound together in a shared direction
- Understanding
o Thing we understand about the process and about each other's process
o Individuation is an asset if there is enough understanding
- All feed each other - adjust each other - feedback

- Someone who creates a space in which causes and conditions can manifest
o Drop a pebble into a pond; or
o A carpenter choosing materials
o = Indirect or direct influence
- Allowing to let go - water, love
o Open hand to let go of fixed ideas, allow things to develop as they should.

1) Visual/metaphorical approach
o Visual - Solid structure, home
- Building from the bottom, also suspended from above
o Leadership is like a hook from which to suspend structure - it is there is the base support falters; base there if leadership changes
o Ivory tower
- Disadvantage: elitist, dictatorial; or
- Advantage: - view above the crowd - plan, large view

2) Archetypes
o Mother/father; King/Queen; Guru; Fuzzier: Government

To be effective - you must resonate with inner archetype of leader - awaken that in who is being led.

What is required to awaken archetype?
o Paramis
o Saddha / confidence/ faith
o Wisdom & knowledge base
o Generosity, nurturing, caring

3) Personal - what do I think?

- All visible in leader:
o Skilful communication to higher and lower
o Clarity (Inspiration is a by-product of clarity)
o Charm (?) = that person is comfortable, kind, lots of energy, not paralyzed

Dichotomy:
- Individuality
o Enlightenment is not losing individual spark and personality; and
- Selflessness

1) Aspiration
- Arisings in meditation no different from a community of people
- Meditation - viewing - what is view? Mountaintop or ground

2) Ship - direction, needs steering, commitment - firm, steady
- Confidence through practice
- Cannot work in isolation - gives support and needs support - part of the ship/community

3) Guide/watcher
- Watching for truth
- Ethics and integrity = Paramis
o e.g - Nelson Mandela and Gandhi
- didn't want to be leaders
- don't let shit stop you

4) Inner: Green pasture in Indonesia
- Recognize beauty as presented - how do you make a step?
- What is crossing to the other shore?

Question #2: WHAT IS THE DHARMA CENTRE FOR?

Exactly as it has been or the past three years
- Various teachings - Universalist non-secular awakening process

Can of worms

1) Refuge - support for practice
- refuge from normal distractions

2) Flute - Sufi performance
- Clear/hear call of God
- Space and time to listen to call

3) Openness - not limit what that calling is
- Nature
- Community
- Blessings that have occurred
Hidden aspect = elemental support

4) Wealth
- Wealth of opportunity
- Open to all teachings
- Not limited to a certain style or discipline

Infinite potential

No historical connection with Dharma Centre
- Something very special
- Jewel - triple gem
o Essence of sangha
o People supporting on the path

Not always a physical place, but a feeling carried internally
- Connected
- Others on same path

Question #2 (cont'd) : WHAT IS THE DHARMA CENTRE FOR?

1) Refuge tree with special emphasis on roots
- Has a place, puts down roots deep into depths/land
o Compared to the umbrella - also a refuge but no roots.

2) Long term natural growth
- Incorporating the transcendental
- A place an give you something an idea can't
- A place to grow, a new conditioning, where a being or an idea can grow naturally.

3) Popping.

4) For developing teaching - where do we learn how to teach?

5) Deep retreats - discovering it for yourself in depth, rather than just take someone's word for it.

Book by Ian Baker - About going to a secret place

Outer landscape can represent inner landscape

1) Land of light - nature studies

2) Need to rename as Foundation, not Centre
Universe-city
- Integrative learning centre

3) Land outer - temple inner - secret as home
- Not just one layer but many interweaving

4) Nature - art - culture

5) Retreats - lands, conservation, sustainability - ecology

THE LAND

Question #2 (cont'd) : WHAT IS THE DHARMA CENTRE FOR?

1) An opportunity
- To awaken
- Realization of reality
- Tangible example of human birthright

o A place to nurture as well as be nurtured
o Both a community and 400 acres of land
Must keep it because it is the land, learn how to connect with, honour the land.

2) A role model for other communities

3) Proliferation of wisdom, compassion, respect, cooperation

4) An opportunity to give your heart wings

1) - Yours to discover - An opportunity to practice while supported

2) A sacred playground
- As many venues for playing as there are beings who visit the property.

When turned on by teaching, it's a magical place.

3) Ecological system - an opportunity to explore what that is and demonstrate what it is
- Connected and interconnected

4) Social Experiment

When not in use, playground goes into disrepair. Must be in use to be what it is.

5) Many things to different people.
- Home
- Employment
- Play out fantasies

Question #3: WHO IS THE DHARMA CENTRE FOR?

What/who is it for:
In meditation
- Jewel encrusted room with door - popped open amazing energies
- beings, different colours
- Rich jewel place an portal to open door to higher realms
o healing
o teaching

All sentient beings - humans and non-humans - those on the path or who will be on the path + the mice

- All wildlife, nature, beings we can't see
o All great masters/mistresses can come and teach there - Research - anyone who wants to come and give and learn
o Nature
- Ecology
- Minerals
- etc
o Dharma
- Indigenous people to work and play
- Young people
- Groups for healing
- Professionals integrating dharma in the world
- Personal retreats

- Individuals families and groups who are willing to train in morality
- Anyone who feels happy at prospect of interconnectedness or higher principle
- Feeling they belong and can share in the treasury
- Someone who felt resonance/spark/ - grow that into the fire of transcendence consciously
- Explore dynamics of peace
- Land. Creatures, those that have come before - foundation; and the future - for those in a time beyond our own

- Hungry mosquitoes
- Generations - lineage before and after
- Any individual awakening into question
- All other affiliate seekers - other groups
- place for deep retreat in Canada
- Deep practice for anyone
- For teachers - forum for teachers from this and other traditions

- Swamp creatures + slime moulds
- Keepers of the relics
- People with a little dust in their eyes
- Vajra brothers and sisters of those past present and future
- Healers of the planet

Question = whom does the grail serve?
All beings
- How is a different question

- All beings - critters, humans from whatever realm
- If they find their way to the door, the door should be opened

- ALSO - anyone that can pay

- All those who can find it and get there
- All creatures on 400 acres
- Especially - All those who have not found it yet and need to find it
- Those seeking and offering healing
- Those from Namgyal lineage
- Those committed to mature adult contemplative community

Precious jewel - what you bring there is magnified
- Future ; for all beings - there will be increasing need for sanctuary
- Young people
- Students - research
o nature
o social
- Meditation
- Local community
- Indigenous community - so land has multiple uses
- Deep retreats

-Question - a place that speaks to question; a place for people that have question
- Community those who can ask; need; respond to questions
- People who need; people who are yearning

A place for those that seek learnings, teachings

- What about those that aren't aware of the path
- Beyond DC physical space what presence does it have locally and globally?

- As world is becoming more disturbed, need a place to contemplate peace within and without.

Question # 4 - WHAT DOES THE DHARMA CENTRE NEED?

Flow
- water
- money
- energies

Needs therapy, career counseling, welfare, help from its friends

Therapy
- Why do we alienate & burn out people?
- Better communication with members
- Professional codes of ethical behaviour
- Importance of Rinpoche past, present & future - father issues

Counseling
- 5 - 10 -20 year plan
- Branding and marketing improvements
- Governance workshops

Welfare
- Basic funds needed to sustain while we get on our feet

Question # 4 (cont'd) - WHAT DOES THE DHARMA CENTRE NEED?

Help from friends
- Commitment from teacher
- help from skilled volunteers

Property needs stewards
- Land and inhabitants
- Land as contributing member

Organization needs:
- Volunteers with skill/ trained to help
We have to work together
- Need people that remember to manifest interconnectedness, cooperation, coexistence
- Continue to build team

- Contributors & acknowledge contribution
- Sharing of merit
- People who know how to learn
- Rejoice when clarity/virtue shows up
- Need people that come to the Centre based on morality, precepts - Paramis

- Need to win the lottery
o dynamic fundraising

People have to buy into what's happening.

Land

- Need loving attention, showing respect and hearing the land
- People will be attracted by what inspires
o One day walking the land - listen
o One day sitting on the land
- Regular practitioners group meet to energize the land
- Open up the Centre to create more view points - out with the old , more flow

Then the organization will get more big donors/sponsors
Question # 4 (cont'd) - WHAT DOES THE DHARMA CENTRE NEED?

- Needs to be treated as a jewel incorporated into one's practice - reverence, respect
o Commitment, have to work at it
- Treat as part of your practice - precision, professionalism, efficiency
- Need lots of money

In meditation:
- Fire - purification
- Purple flowing river - flow
- Gorgeous new building
o Stone, earth
o Artistic jungle gym / mandala inside
- Two men - one in a business suit, the other a musician in a yellow cab with guitar, dressed in gold

Be careful about process crossing from grassroots organization to business-like orientation

- Need financial stability/sustainability
o Look at funding sources; grants
o Database for donors (Is there one?)
- Public awareness/education
o How are brochures distributed?
o Local community groups
o Customized programs - eg. For schools
- Talking about community
o Welcome committee, orientation kit for new arrivals

Land needs nothing - if you have no concepts about the land, property will look after itself

- Camelot model - then what next?
o Arthur dead, sword back in lake, knights dispersed
- Buddha model
o Can get barbarians at the gate - may lead to something stronger
Question # 4 (cont'd) - WHAT DOES THE DHARMA CENTRE NEED?

Therefore real question is focus/purpose - that could be any number of things - up to group to create

[I] like starting with nothing

Appreciation (value)
- Value must be joined to a new creative process, not just carrying on with old
- Outreach - expanding community of seekers
- Money - very active fundraising
- Community-based support - people who have fairly easy access to DC
Needs to be used

- Needs use - use that is well-guided
- Needs a plan, informed by an engaged, active membership
o Clear set of goals / action plan
o Who, when why around activities
- Needs capacity building
o Membership
o Board
o Teachers
- Interconnectedness - recognize friends/alliances among Board, members, teachers
- Stewardship
- Land, centre, internationally
- Better signage
- Need to be integrated by practitioners who can integrate management with dharma


- Needs relevant functional agreed business model
- Need live-in or nearby community to support it
- More
o Money
o Love
o Generosity
- Flow - forest, water
o Move it out of the swamp

- Must look at leadership - support , respect,
o Learn how to communicate through conflict
- Needs to change - stop clinging to 40-year old model

Question # 4 (cont'd) - WHAT DOES THE DHARMA CENTRE NEED?

- Aside from money, everything is OK
o Where is this dissatisfaction coming from?
- Needs agreement
- How it is is a reflection of how community is, how we all are
- No clear thing in meditation - core struggle
o Maybe we need to atone for our sins

Needs to be more comfortable for older people.

 

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