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Start where you are…

In this course we will learn basic sitting and walking meditation, through mindfulness of the body’s breathing, and awareness of one’s senses. We will learn to let the mind’s turbulent activity come and go in peace while sitting still. This practice will help us to develop clarity and stability in our daily life.

The practices of Shambhala reveal to us the inherent clarity of our mind, our innate compassion for this world, and our natural grounded-ness on this earth. As a result, we may feel the courage to be truly who we are in a non-judgmental way, as genuine human beings who care.

The key, starting out, is to make sure that you are physically and mentally comfortable, and experiment to find how meditation best fits into your daily routine. 

This class will offer all that is needed to start  and/or sustain a regular meditation practice through informative talks, meditation instruction by a qualified instructor, group exploration and discussion.

Meditation works with the natural state of the human mind—at rest, open, and alert. Undertaken as a regular practice, meditation helps the mind to relax and settle. It encourages our inherent qualities of stability, clarity, and mental strength to emerge.

In the Shambhala tradition, meditation practice offers a pathway to connect to our innate dignity, kindness, wisdom, and strength—and apply them on a journey of personal, cultural, and societal transformation.

All are welcome. 

Director: Kim Kelso began studying and practicing meditation in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition in 1980 and began teaching in 1992.    She has been a member of several Shambhala Centers since then in British Columbia, Canada and now is a member in Phoenix, AZ. She has taught extensively in Canada, Phoenix, Tucson, and Albuquerque. She is especially inspired by the vision of Shambhala with its foundation of Basic Goodness, its path of warriorship and its notion of Enlightened Society.

Kim has a Bachelor of Social Work degree and an MA in Adult Education, Leadership and Organizational Change. In 2008, she retired from a career in social work to move to  Arizona to care for her mother who recently passed on at the age of 102. She is married and lives in Yarnell, AZ where she leads a thriving weekly meditation group.

 Program: During the course of the day, we will hear instruction, practice and eat! Class will begin at 11:30 with a welcome and instruction, guided meditation and discussion. We will break for a hearty vegetarian lunch, then return to practice and further instruction. The day will close with a brief celebration of our teacher, the teachings, and each other.

 Zoom Access: This course will be offered live and on-line. You will receive instructions for joining the course via Zoom when you register for the course.

Time Zones: Please note, times listed are in Arizona time (MST). Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time, so please adjust accordingly if you are joining us from outside Arizona.

Pricing Information and Generosity Policy: We are committed to making our programs and classes accessible to everyone, and we will not turn anyone away due to financial concerns. If the Program Price is an obstacle for you, please decide what works for you and offer what you are able to pay. You do not need to apply for the Generosity Policy in advance, but if you have questions, please contact us.

Those who are able to offer more than the regular program price can select the Patron Price option. By selecting this option, your generosity is helping to cover the costs of those who may not be able to pay the full price of the program. Thank you for your consideration, and for helping all to receive the treasure of the Shambhala Dharma.

If you are currently a college/university student, you are welcome to take the course for a reduced price of $20.

In person: the Phoenix Shambhala Meditation Center is located at 7024 E Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ. If you are in the valley, we encourage you to join us at the Center. 

On-line: We welcome online participants. A zoom link and instructions will be sent to your email after registration. 

Please register by April 1 so that we may adequately prepare for your visit. 

For more information, please contact us at: [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in our programs!