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Buddhist Studies, Introductory, Online Program, Way of Shambhala
Awakened Heart: Shambhala Level IV
In-Person only Weekend Meditation Retreat Presented by Berkeley Shambhala
PrerequisiteS: Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the world
Awakened heart comes from being willing to face your state of mind. Deepen your meditation practice, and continue along the path of the Shambhala teachings on warriorship, in this weekend retreat.
Please join us for Awakened Heart: Shambhala Training Weekend IV
Awakened Heart: Shambhala Training Level IV builds on the presentation of basic goodness in Shambhala Level I, the teachings on “cocoon” in Shambhala Level II, and the exploration of fearlessness in Level III.
With trust in basic goodness and daring to experience the sharp edge of reality, we move forward with gentleness, increased awareness, and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is. We can extend ourselves to others fully and with kindness.
We will expand our meditation practice further, building on the mindfulness-awareness techniques learned in Shambhala Training Levels I, II, and III, and exploring real techniques for how to be even more present for both ourselves and others with more care and curiosity.
Repeaters welcome — each time we experience these teachings, we step freshly into the river.
Shambhala Training Level IV includes
- Guided meditation practice
- Sitting and walking meditation
- Talks by experienced teachers
- Mindfulness meditation — on and off the cushion
- Question & answer periods
- Group discussions
- Individual meetings with a trained meditation instructor
- Connecting with people interested in meditation and discovering the brilliance of the world around them!
- Concluding festive reception
Our Teachers
Basha Hirschfeld has been a spiritual seeker all her life. She has been a student of Ani Pema Chödrön and of Shambhala since 2001, and has had the great honor of leading classes and teaching meditation in the Shambhala tradition. Born in the Bronx, daughter of German Jewish refugees, Basha grew up in the beatnik era, later became a hippie, and then a radical feminist, leading protests and making films about change. Aside from the mundane miracles of motherhood and marriage, and now grand-motherhood, she enjoys running a small meditation retreat center Open Sky Retreat Space out of her home in Sebastopol.
Assistant Director, Susan Gluck When Susan heard the voice of Pema Chödrön 20+ years ago, she knew immediately that this was her teacher. Later at a retreat, Pema said she comes from a tradition called Shambhala. Susan visited Berkeley Shambhala Center and knew right away, again, that she had found a home in which she could practice, work with her inspiration, confusion, doubt, and share her love for the dharma. She works as a graphic designer with her partner and dharma mate Lory, and loves to study jazz piano improvisation and composition.
Awakened Heart: Shambhala Training Level IV
Sat-Sun, April 20 & 21 • 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
In-person only at the Berkeley Shambhala Center
Repeaters welcome!
Please be vaccinated and boosted; masks optional. Arrive at 8:30 am for coffee/tea and community time. The program begins promptly at 9:00 am.
Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World
If you have questions, please contact the coordinator Karen Walls at kjenwalls [at] gmail [dot] com
- $150 Program price
- $200 Patron price (paying the Patron price helps support those needing to pay the Limited Income price)
- $ 75 Limited Income price
- $ 50 Repeaters price
- Pay what is possible: type in dollar amount in space. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.