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Contact:
Dr. Bill Gordon wagord01@pop.uky.edu
Ground, Path, Fruition of Council on Ageing
Ground
The fact that ageing and death is not addressed in our culture, a Council of Ageing is created to address this situation in several ways.
Path
Internally
Within our Sangha, to educate others and increase the awareness of the process of ageing and its potential needs which includes representation, planning, and implementation for programs and centres.
Externally
Through outreach to help our larger communities work with ageing and its needs.
Fruition
To help people lead vital lives and engage the ageing process with awareness and confidence.
The Council on Ageing
The Council on Ageing has been formed and includes the following members:
Mrs. Suzanne, Ashton, Ms. Alexandra Evans, Dr. Bill Gordon, Ms. Virginia Hilliker, Mrs. Brigitte Langlois, Mr. Jake Lorting, Mr. Gary Mass and Ms. Carole Sheehan.
We will continue to communicate with each other on a regular basis. The Council invites and seeks contributions from the larger Shambhala Community.
You may send your ideas to the Council on Ageing to our communications facilitator: Dr. Bill Gordon at wagord01@.pop.uky.edu
Applications
Internal
- Appoint program and practice centre liaisons to assess and accommodate persons with special needs and disabilities. Facility friendliness, i.e., help with transfers, attendants, meals, acoustics, scheduling (allowing for rest, transportation to and from, timing of events) handicapped parking, ramps.
- Study existing facilities and programs as to current status and possible adaptations.
- A manual to help with compassionate planning for our mature sangha and people with special needs pertaining to items listed above. This information could be available on our Shambhala web site.
- Right of Passage for Elders. Ceremony/Celebration honouring our inherent dignity and our opportunities for sharing our wisdom and experience with others
- An ongoing column on Ageing and Disabilities edited by Dr. Bill Gordon for the Shambhala Sun.
External
- Physical fitness: Tai Chi, Yoga, Contemplative Movement
- Book learning
- Outreach to elderly through pre-existing organisations such as the Elder Hostel, and/or consultation dialogue for future cross-pollination
- Combine our Shambhala views of body (fitness) speech (study, practice, learning) and mind (experience of space as an antidote to single-mindedness) with those who are ageing.
Group Doha
When trees grow old they become rugged,
Deep rooted in the earth of experience.
providing arms of shelter,
Spacious yet gnarly.
In the cool moist shade,
Seedlings sprout
nourished by the Great Eastern Sun.
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