This page offers a brief description of how the Panel might be involved with a Shambhala Meditation Centre, during three stages of development. One or more of these stages are typically part of the improvement or expansion of any Shambhala Meditation Centre’s facilities.
It is important to note that there are innumerable causes and conditions that determine which stage(s) a particular Centre may be interested in exploring. It is not within the scope of this website to examine any of that, but rather to recommend a path of review and, advice or support, once a Centre has decided which stage of development is appropriate for them.
There are also innumerable factors to be considered within each stage of development. Again, it is not within the scope of this website to describe or examine all those factors. A few factors are mentioned here, but the focus is on those areas where the Sakyong’s Advisory Panel has expertise, or can offer support that might be helpful to the Centre.
Determining a new location
For a Centre considering relocating their facilities. The relocation might involve buying land with the intention to build, buying a property with existing facilities, or leasing space within an existing facility. In any case, there are many factors to be considered such as; city zoning regulations; general accessibility and public transportation; neighbourhood demographics; budget and property values; and so on.
The Sakyong’s Advisory Panel highly recommends that prior to, or in conjunction with exploring any of those considerations, the Centre have a K’an-yü/Feng-shui evaluation done for their city. This kind of evaluation can determine, based on the energy of the land itself, the areas in your City that are most powerfully conducive to the activities of a Shambhala Meditation Centre. Panel Reviews have a direct relationship to that ground.
Selecting a new building or specific property
Once a Centre has determined the preferred general locations, the next step is to select the actual property or building. Many of the same factors described above still apply, along with the additional consideration of specific city planning or building permit regulations; as well as the issues of parking; handicap accessibility; proximity to amenities such as parks, restaurants, grocery stores; and so on.
Prior to entering into any lease or purchase agreements for a property or building, the Centre should have a K’an-yü/Feng-shui evaluation done for the specific property or building, as well a Preliminary Review by the Panel.
It should be understood that any real-estate transactions or major investments need to be reviewed and approved by the Chagdzo Kyi Khyap, Ms. Connie Brock. With that in mind, Centre leadership is encouraged to get in touch with Ms. Brock [email protected] if you are seriously considering any major renovations to your facilities, or have any plans to relocate your Centre.
It should also be noted that before entering into contracts for the purchase or financing of real estate, please contact Mr Alex Halpern [email protected], Chief Legal Counsel to the Shambhala Mandala, to review and approve legal documents and answer questions. It is advisable to use local legal counsel as well.
Beyond that, the Panel can offer support or assistance with Feasibility Studies (to determine what is feasible within City codes, etc. for a given property or building), Programming (to determine the type and number of room and square footage needs anticipated for the new Centre), and Conceptual Design (to explore roughly what kind of complex, building or floor plan can be designed for a particular property or building).
Developing a new building or floor plan design
This is the stage where the vision for the Centre is completely described both programmatically; with an accurate and detailed list of all interior and exterior spaces, along with their interrelationships and square footages;, and visually; through a progression of architectural design and drawings that can be used for review, pricing, permitting and ultimately the construction of the project.
During this stage, the Centre should continue with its K’an-yü/Feng-shui Evaluation. The Centre should also plan on scheduling a Schematic Design Review with the Panel at the completion of that phase of design, as well as a Final Design Review, at the completion of design development, prior to submittal of the project for any Building Permits.
Beyond that, the Panel can offer support or assistance with all the phases of the design process, from Site or Master Planning through Schematic Design, Detailed Programming, Design Development and Construction, Final Documentation, including if necessary, Interior and Landscape Design. For further information please refer to: Stages of Design and Professional Design Services.
For questions or to schedule a Review, please contact Stephen Vosper, chair of the Panel.
