On Aging in Shambhala.
The following statement is intended to provide the emerging Shambhala society with an initial set of principles upon which to contemplate and build an enlightened response to the inevitable process of aging. The statement has been developed by the Shambhala Working Group on Aging, a working group of the Sakyong’s Council and a core working group within the Community Care Council.
Statement on Aging in Shambhala:
(1) The inherent nature of mind, basic goodness, being unconditional, does not change with age. No matter how old or infirmed we may become, basic goodness remains fully intact.
(2) Rather than viewing aging as leading to the fixation of long standing habitual patterns, with mind training (meditation practice), as we grow older there is the opportunity for mind to become more open and less fixed.
(3) Physical and mental capacities inevitably decline with increasing age.
(4) In Shambhala we can simultaneously recognize both the opportunity to be more openly engaged with the world as we grow older, and the inevitable decline in physical and mental capacities, culminating in death.
(5) In this context, ‘conventional’ retirement is a misguided myth. The idea that as we age we can ‘retire’ from the world and become less engaged is not consistent with Shambhala vision. Quite to the contrary, as our responsibilities and time commitment for family and livelihood decrease we can devote more time and energy to building enlightened society, as well as to our personal practices. This is ‘enlightened’ retirement.
(6) As we age many of us will, at some point, experience physical ailments that will make it difficult, or perhaps impossible, for us to care for ourselves. At those times, other members of Shambhala society need to be positioned to come forward to be sure that what we are unable to do for ourselves is done.
Recommendations:
(1) Each Shambhala centre form its own working group on aging. This might be accomplished by placing aging as one topic within the context of a ‘health and well being’ or ‘community care council’. These local working groups will be supported by the international working group.
(2) A Shambhala conference on aging be held in July 2010, at which, among other things, the local working groups can exchange experiences and innovations.
The Shambhala Working Group on Aging was formed in 2008. The members of the working group are: Ann Cason, Aaron Snyder, Marita McLaughlin, Donna Hanczaryk, Jacquie Bell, Victoria Howard, Louis Fitch, Chris Rempel, Susan Stewart, Acharya Emily Bower, David Whitehorn (Chair).
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Number 6 on Statement on Aging in Shambhala, is a key point for groups and centres to adhere to as we speak. I am curious about the current experiences of members and acquaintances of Shambhala housholds, who struggle with activities of daily living, like independently showering, dressing, perparing meals and getting to doctors appointments with assistance. Yes, Health and Well-Being, would be a possible system of delegating a team of people(permitting) to check in and help with whatever is required in the situation. i am curious about experiences with Shambhala groups/centres, on how we are being of service, simultaneously, upholding the dignity of our aging members. What can we as a growing community, do, to be of benefit?
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