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| Engage in the Discovery and Dream exploration online |
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| Engage in the Discovery and Dream exploration online |
Quite some time ago now many members of our community noticed how crowded our centre was and how the roof leaks never stopped. The task of finding a new centre quickly became linked to the task of redefining our role in Vancouver and within our international Shambhala community. An external facilitator has been hired to help us develop a shared vision and major fund raising was undertaken resulting in a building fund that now approaches $100,000. Recently, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has stressed our crucial role in establishing the Shambhala Buddhist teachings in Western Canada and the Northwest U.S. Feng Shi Master Eva Wong confirmed our geographical and energetic significance not only for this region but for the Pacific Rim. Therefore, as a community, we share both tremendous richness and a great responsibility in the establishment of enlightened society.
As does any community, we also have internal conflict from
time to time. As much as we might wish, meditation and study of the dharma
doesn’t always bring the hoped- for
resolution to interpersonal conflict. For all of the reasons above, the Shambhala
Centre council authorized a search committee to find a facilitator to assist
us both in developing the practicalities of our vision and in resolving barriers
to the growth, generosity and prosperity of the Vancouver Shambhala Centre.
How were the facilitators chosen?
An invitation was sent out to anyone who was inspired to join interviews with selected applicants for the facilitation of our future. A total of XXX participated in four interviews. There was a strong group consensus amongst the selection committee after interviewing the fourth applicant resulting in the choice of Arden Henley & Mary Kean. Three letters of reference were requested from Arden & Mary followed by phone calls to the responders. Council then entered into a formal contract with them.
Who are the facilitators that have been hired?
Mary Kean is a family therapist, organizational development
consultant and coach with an MA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel
Hill. She is well known in the multicultural communities and for her clarity
in conversations with women, couples and families. Her presentations, trainings
and workshops are accessible, erudite and entertaining and she brings a collaborative
relaxation and sense of excellence to her supervision. Mary is the former
editor of The Journal of Collaborative Therapies and a recipient of the BC
Association of Clinical Counselors Communications Award. She has published
in the Journal of Systemic Therapies, The Canadian Journal of Counselling
and Journal of Collaborative Therapies. Mary is adjunct faculty in the City
University, Masters in Counseling Psychology program.
Arden Henley is the Executive Director of Canadian Programs
at City University responsible for the direction and overall management of
all City University programs in Canada. Mr. Henley is also an Advisor to the
Provincial Counsellor Education Task Force and sits on the Education and Registration
Committees of the BC College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Previously he
was the Director of White Rock Family Therapy Institute, the Director of Clinical
Services at the Peach Arch Community Services, and the Executive Director
for the South Okanagan Children's Services Society. Arden has a B.A. from
McMaster University and an M.A. from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and
U.S.A. A Family Therapist and Organization Development Consultant of 25 years
experience, he is a co--director of Kean & Henley Consultation. Well known
for his innovative leadership style and thought provoking presentations on
a range of social and organizational issues, Arden recently completed a Doctorate
degree in Education from Simon Fraser University.
Additional Relevant Information:
Arden was a senior student of
Kalu Rinpoche. Mary was a senior student of the Vidyadhara, Chogyam Trungpa
Rinpoche in Boulder where she taught poetry at Naropa University and served
in the court. Arden and Mary are currently students of qigong.
Below is the contract entered into with Kean & Henley and Vancouver Shambhala Centre.
Contract with Shambhala
Using Appreciative Inquiry and related approaches Kean & Henley will assist Shambhala in evolving further as a community by:
2. Attending group and community meetings as required.
3. Liaising with identified members of the Shambhala community on an ongoing basis.
4. Developing and articulating a future vision for the community through broad based and inclusive consultation.
5. Recognizing and finding solutions for obstacles that stand in the way of preferred community developments.
6. Based on the resultant community vision, develop a 5-year action plan with clearly identified benchmarks.
7. In relation to # 4, 5 and 6 above, training and educating selected members of the community in Appreciative Inquiry practices so that a significant proportion of the community consultation can be carried out by community members.
8. Providing relevant documentation.
How does this work relate to
the larger mandala of Shambhala?
Arden and Mary required that we
receive authorization for this work from either the Sakyong or a senior leader
in our international community. President Reoch was approached in regard to
this initiative and he sent a letter of support. Following is an excerpt from his letter
of June 1, 2006. The full text is available at (Paul insert link here)
I appreciate that everyone involved
would like to have this initiative formally approved. Therefore, on behalf
of the Kalapa Court , it is my pleasure to invite you to engage Arden and
Mary as consultants to the Vancouver Shambhala Centre for the purposes set
forth in the contract.
I am completely confident that by touching into the
unshakeable karmic connection we have with our lineages and with each other,
by opening our hearts to each other, by listening deeply to each other’s
experience, and by connecting with the profound wisdom that is always available
to us in each instant, we can overcome all apparent and temporary obstacles
on our common path.
With much appreciation for the thought, effort and
kindness that has gone into this,
Richard
Richard Reoch
President of Shambhala
“Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is the cooperative co-evolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations, and the world around them. It involves the discovery of what gives “life” to a living system when it is most effective, alive, and constructively capable in economic, ecological, and human terms. AI involves the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to apprehend, anticipate, and heighten positive potential. The inquiry is mobilized through the crafting of the “unconditional positive question,” often involving hundreds or thousands of people. AI interventions focus on the speed of imagination and innovation – instead of the negative, critical, and spiraling diagnoses commonly used in organizations. The discovery, dream, design, and destiny model links the energy of the positive core to changes never thought possible.”
Provided by Arden & Mary at the training for leaders
Why was it chosen and can we
trust that it will be helpful?
Appreciative Inquiry forms the core of the approach proposed by Arden & Mary. They have used AI in other communities and agencies. The excellent references received by members of the search committee attest to the excellence and effectiveness of AI and Arden & Mary’s work.
AI as an approach is consistent with the view of our Shambhala Buddhist Community. As one community member said in a meeting, “AI is like basic goodness. We start by looking at what works and inspires people and develop our vision from there.”
AI has been used with other groups in our sangha including Karme Choling and the Board of Directors of Shambhala International (check with R. Trail or President Reoch on this)
Who completed the training in
appreciative inquiry?
20 leaders attended the one-day training with Arden & Mary
Charlaine Avery
Noele Bird
Sandy Brooks
Adrian Dobre
Ginny Evans
Martin Evans
Tom-Pierre Frappé-Sénéclauze
Theresa Harding
Susan Krakauer
David Marshall
Brenda McNeill
Barb Moffat
Sean Raggett
Jennifer Rodrigues
Bob Russell
Jan Russell
Taryn Thompson
Dale Trimble
Johanna Trimble
Daniel Vokey
What are the steps involved in
Appreciative Inquiry?
In general terms the steps involve:
1. Discovery
Discover the positive exceptions and successes, the most vital and alive moments.
2. Dream
What might it be like if further development in the community followed the themes discovered?
3. Design
Articulate the intention to become what has been dreamed.
4. Destiny
What concrete steps need to be taken to realize the intentions that have been expressed.
During the AI training the leaders designed questions related to the Discovery and Dream phases of this work. These questions have been explored in the small group meetings (3-6people) that have been held over the Fall of 2006. The Design and Destiny phases will be worked with in community meetings in the early weeks of 2007.
What were the questions explored in the meetings?
1. Discovery Question: Describe a moment when the teachings came alive for
you?
Dream Question: What would have to happen in the community for you to
experience this sense of aliveness more often?
2. Discovery Question: Tell us about a time you felt proud to be part of the
community?
Dream Question: What are some other things the community might do
or be involved in that would make you proud?
Is there more information available
about Appreciative Inquiry in general?
The following quotations are from
a book available as an electronic resource through Vancouver Public Library,
all you need is your library card number and you can access the book
online through the VPL website.
Quoted from the book
"Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change"
By Cooperrider and Whitney:
In the Discovery phase:
* people reclaim their ability to admire, be surprised, be inspired, and to
appreciate the best in others and in their community.
* every question is positive, people uncover what gives life to their
community when at its best.
* people throughout the community connect to study examples of what makes
them their best, to analyze and map their positive core, and to investigate
their root causes of success.
* As they connect, they build relationships, community wisdom expands,
useful and innovative knowledge is shared, and hope grows.
In the Dream Phase:
* the community is engaged in moving beyond the status quo to envision
valued and vital futures.
* people are invited to lift their sights, exercise their imagination, and
discuss what the community could look like if it were fully aligned around
its strengths and aspirations
* listening carefully to moments of community life at its best we share
images of our hopes and dreams for our collective future.
Freedom to be Known in Relationship
Appreciative Inquiry interrupts the cycle of depersonalization that masks
people's sense of being and belonging. It offers people the chance to truly
know one another, both as unique individuals and as a part of the web of
relationships.
Freedom to be Heard
We listen with sincere curiosity, empathy, and compassion. It requires an
openness to know and understand another person's story. Through one-on-one
appreciative interviews, people who might otherwise feel ignored and without
voice are invited to come forward with information, ideas, and innovations
that are subsequently put into action throughout the organization. In the
process, people feel heard, recognized, and valued.
Freedom to dream in community
Create a community as a safe place where large, diverse groups of people
dream and share their dreams, in dialogue with one another.
Freedom to choose to contribute
Freedom of choice liberates power, but it also leads to commitment and a
hunger for learning. When people choose to do a project and commit to others
to do it, they get creative and determined. They will do whatever it takes
and learn whatever is needed to do the job.
Freedom to act with support
When people know that large numbers of people care about their experience
and are anxious to cooperate, they feel safe to experiment, innovate, and
learn. In other words, whole-system support stimulates people to take on
challenges and draws people into acts of cooperation that bring forth their
best.
Freedom to be positive
Appreciative Inquiry works, in part, because it gives people permission to
feel positive and be proud of their working experiences.
What has happened in the meetings
so far?
Many students, both old and new, have attended. Including the leaders, a total of 62 have participated so far.
partial transcripts of these meetings will be posted.
What about problems or difficulties
that the appreciative inquiry meetings do not resolve?
The work of Appreciative Inquiry is not a solution for all problems although when entered into thoroughly, many communities have found that the process shifted old problems enough to create change and forward momentum. For individuals and groups who wish to resolve past issues, Arden and Mary are available for confidential conversations that can be held alone, in pairs, or in groups with others who share a common concern.
What is the process by which
these problems can be addressed?
For this work the process of focused conversations is used as described below. If you wish to engage in this process please contact Dale Trimble, 604-253-3412 or dale@daletrimble.com. Feel free to call and ask questions first. You’re under no obligation to proceed beyond that.
Focused
Conversation In A Nutshell
Focused Conversation:
· is lead by a facilitator
· is a relatively simple process that enables a conversation to flow from surface to depth.
· gives people ways to share their common concerns and experiences in depth, rather than reacting with negative criticism
· changes how people converse with each other so it becomes a learning experience for both parties
· works to resolve conflicts between people, and to deal authentically with issues of value
· trusts that the group has wisdom
The
Four Levels of Questions
The questions are asked by a leader of the participants:
1. Objective level questions - what are the hard facts?
• What did you see, hear, feel, smell, taste?
• What did you hear people say?
2. Reflective level questions - what are the gut-level emotional responses & associations?
• What is it about the experience that angers, excites, intrigues, surprises, ... you?
• What internal images are triggered by the experience?
• What does this [situation, experience, ... remind you of?
3. Interpretive level questions – what is the meaning, value and significance?
• Questions should highlight the layers of meaning and purpose.
• What significance do you attach to the situation?
• What storyline are we living out?
4. Decisional level questions - how shall we respond or take action?
• Questions should allow people to name their relationship and response(s) to the situation.
• How shall we respond to ...? The next time we are confronted with ...,
how shall we behave differently?
The Process:
· the leader first asks the objective level questions.
· If the group is small, say 10 or less, everyone is invited to respond. If the group is too large for this, a sample of responses is taken. The leader moves on to the next set when the group runs out of responses or when they begin to anticipate the next level with their responses.
· the leader then asks reflective, interpretive, and decisional level questions in turn.
· the leader recalls the purpose and recaps what has been achieved / decided.
Excerpted from: http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~kbrown/F2250%20Webpages/focused_conversation.html
What will be the signs that this
community development work has succeeded?
In one way this has to be answered by each person based on what his or her dreams were and are for our community. For some individuals success will mean either the resolution of hurt and misunderstanding or acceptance that everything has been done that can be to resolve past issues. On a community level we will be able to evaluate our progress by looking at the concrete steps that we will articulate in the “Destiny” phase.
We have nearly completed the first phase of asking the Discovery and Dream questions in small group. If you were not able to attend it is not too late. For those who were not able to attend you can answer the questions online and post your responses. This is not the best, as you will miss the face-to-face experience of sharing your thoughts with others. However, everyone’s involvement is welcome whether you’ve only attended one open house or have been a member for many years. We realize that many would like to be involved but are not able to attend due to work, child-care issues or being too far away. Even if you were not able to contribute to the early phase, please feel free to attend one of the community meetings that will be held in early 2007.