Center Leadership

The Asheville Shambhala Governing Council represents and integrates the various facets of the Asheville Shambhala Community. The  Council is grounded in the basic inspiration of supporting and expanding a community in which people can dedicate themselves to building a good human society and furthering the vision of Shambhala.

The Council is committed to serving the needs of the Asheville Community. The Council works to maintain strong communication around all center policies, strategies, finances and major capital campaigns with the community.

The Council takes the “Treatise on Society and Organization” written by the Sakyong, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche, as its foundational document providing the ground for engaging in social transformation, and “The Six Ways of Ruling” as the lineage instructions on governance. In Shambhala governance, natural hierarchy includes genuine participative consultation. The Council seeks to act in a manner that ensures transparency and communication with the community. Minutes of Council proceedings are available to community members.

All members of the governing council serve on a volunteer basis. Community members are welcome to contact any member of the Council with their concerns regarding the Center’s operations, staff, office holders, or community life.  Community members may also express general concerns publicly in the context of a community meeting.

The following contact information is intended to facilitate more meaningful and direct communication within our organization and the broader community. We encourage you to share your inspiration, questions, suggestions, concerns, or other thoughts with any of the Asheville Shambhala Center’s leaders, face to face or otherwise:

Council Members:
Acting Center Director – Alan Tilson [email protected]
Dorje Kasung, Rusung, Charlotte Bernard  mermaidcharlotte@gmail.com
Chagdzo  – Alan Tilson, [email protected]
Maha Coordinator, Sarah Taylor, [email protected]

Open Council Positions
Director of Practice & Education – Open
Shambhala Office of Culture and Decorum Representative – Open
Societal Health & Well-Being Director – Open
Membership Coordinator – Open
Ikebana CoordinatorOpen

If you are interested in helping shape the future of the Asheville Shambhala Center, or for general information,  please call Shambhala Asheville 828-484-9224 or email [email protected]