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Jan 04
Friday
Mandala Projects
Thanking a “Tireless Custodian”

John Sennhauser - Trust Chairby David Brown, Zeb Zuckerman, Ginny Evans

After over a decade of service John Sennhauser has retired as Chair of the Shambhala Trust. This transition occurred during a meeting of the Trust held in Boston as hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast. His steady presence at the meeting, while his home in New York City was threatened, exemplified his commitment to Shambhala and the Sakyong.

John said of his appointment: “In the Minutes of that meeting, under ‘Trust Leadership,’ Zeb Zuckerberg, Trust administrator, wrote: ‘Mr. McKeever stepped down as Chair of the Trust and requested a one-year leave of absence from Trust activities in order to devote full attention to his new business. Mr. Sennhauser accepted the position of Trust Chair with Ms. Deborah Garrett as Vice Chair both with the stipulation that it be for one year only.’” John went on to chair two or three meetings yearly for eleven years.

John became a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1977 while attending Naropa University, and served as Kusung to the Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Now a Senior Secretary to the Sakyong, he served for over a decade as a member of the Shambhala Board of Directors and was a Trustee of the New York Shambhala Center where he is a senior teacher. He is a founding member of Maitri Dorje, the precursor to Queerdharma in NYC. He is active in experimental theater in New York.

John brought warmth, wisdom, and devotion to his work. During his tenure the Shambhala Trust, which supported about seventy-five initiatives – an outpouring of generosity which will benefit the Shambhala community, and those it touches, for generations to come. (Visit the Shambhala Trust website to see all proposals funded since 1995 along with a brief description, the year they were funded, and the funded amount.)

As his colleague Zeb wrote: “John has always held his seat; he’s been the captain of the ship, with a great ability to bring people together and listen to all sides of a situation in an unbiased way. He is always accessible, not just to me but also the entire group, has his fingers on the pulse and remains open to other ideas even if he doesn’t agree.

“His critical thinking (lawyerly mind) and excellent sense of humor brings a great deal to the Trust. He has a panoramic view of the mandala, which is definitely important in chairing the Trust. His elegant communication is always appreciated and is a great asset at meetings.”

SH TrustFrom colleague Ginny Evans: “Without exception and from the first Trust meeting I attended, I have admired his deft handling of the energetic and frank semi-annual meetings of the core of the Shambhala Trust members. In trying to think of an image to describe what he was leading, words such as ‘zoo’ and ‘circus’ came to mind, but while somewhat apt, such didn’t describe the mixture of thorough work and spontaneous delight that the meetings of the Trust were – as captained by John who had the unenviable task of occasionally having to bring the meeting to ‘order’. Fortunately, I won’t miss his eagle eye for detail as Greg Lubkin and I attempt to follow this act, as I have extorted a promise of his help and oversight in the transition period. John has been a tireless custodian of the Shambhala Trust for a very long tenure. He’ll be with us as we go forward, but his shoes will be hard to fill.”

The Sakyong, the Kalapa Council, and the Shambhala Trust are deeply appreciative of John’s service and contributions to the development of our Shambhala community.

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11 responses to “ Thanking a “Tireless Custodian” ”
  1. very good and cool,thank you for your sharing.

  2. Jane Arthur
    Jan 14, 2013
    Reply

    Many, many thanks for your kindness and generosity. You have been ceaselessly kind to me for which I am eternally grateful. I look forward to continuing to cross paths. I know you will always remain in service.

    Love,
    Jane

  3. John, congratulations on your “retirement.” You have helped so many prisoners and traumatized veterans with your generosity. Your goodness ripples out and out and out….. Much love and appreciation from Cliff and me.
    Margot

  4. Rebecca McAllister
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    Gentle John, Thank you for all your service, smiles, humor and leadership!!!
    Gratitude and inspiration…

  5. Will Brown
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    John, The list of projects supported by the trust includes so many truly important efforts to our mandala. I am grateful for your exertion and prajna in this work. What immeasurable benefit has sprung from your service!

  6. Lucie Benzerdjeb
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    It is so many years ago, when I met John comming along with the Vidyadhara to Europe several times.
    Times of Marburg, when that was the capital of Europe so to say.
    I wasn´t even aware he is still living and still smiling (I remember his smile very well).
    Lucie Benzerdjeb

  7. Michel de Noncourt
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    John kudos for all you did and help put together.
    Greeting from Nova Scotia for your dedication to the vision of our Sakyong

  8. Linda V. Lewis
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    Although I do not know John as well as those above, I’ve have always found him to be a kind and perfectly gentle man, and in that way I am sure he will continue to be an example worth emulating.

  9. Chris Montone
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    Many thankIs for your many years of service and for being so cheerful! I wish you all the best!

  10. Andrea Sherman
    Jan 7, 2013
    Reply

    John,

    Thank you for leading with dignity! Cheers, Andrea Sherman

  11. Kristine McCutcheon
    Jan 4, 2013
    Reply

    Thank you John, For your constant duty and discriminating eye :) Your actions are an example to others. May your next endeavours be as fruitful.


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