“Our life is an endless journey… The practice of meditation provides a vehicle to travel on that road.” – Chögyam Trungpa
Meditation practice and instruction play a central role in Shambhala. In more than 220 centres around the world we welcome anyone interested in learning to meditate. Although one can find the essential techniques written down in many places, meditation remains essentially an oral tradition, and individual personal instruction is important.
Meditation instruction is offered free of charge at all Shambhala Meditation Centres. Shambhala instructors are experienced practitioners, thoroughly trained to provide guidance, support and direction to students. In our introductory programs, everyone receives the basic tools for traveling the path of meditation. Such programs typically include open talks, meditation practice, group discussions and personal interviews.
Introductory Programs
Weekly Meditation Practice
Most centres hold at least one meditation session per week open to anyone, free of charge. A meditation instructor is present to assist beginners. We alternate periods of sitting (usually about 20 – 30 minutes per period) with walking meditation (10 – 12 minutes) for a total of one to three hours, depending on the day and centre. Many Shambhala Meditation Centres build into the schedule a time for refreshments and socialising.
Learn to Meditate
Half-Day and Full-Day Workshops
These workshops offer a systematic introduction to the practice of meditation. The programmes are oriented toward beginners, but have proved extremely helpful for anyone who would like to refresh or deepen their understanding.
Find an introductory program near you »
Meditation in Everyday Life
7-Week Evening Course
The Meditation in Everyday Life course is designed to provide participants with the introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation in daily life. With simple instructions and support, mindfulness meditation practice can become part of our lives, bringing greater stability, strength, and clarity.
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Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human
Weekend Intensive
Drawn from the tradition presented in Chögyam Trungpa’s seminal book Shambhala, the Sacred Path of the Warrior (see recommended books, below), this intensive is the essential first step for entering the Shambhala Training path of bravery and gentleness. The Art of Being Human introduces mindfulness-awareness meditation in a secular context and vocabulary. Engaging the mind, we glimpse the world’s magic without conceptual filters, and begin to discover a basic goodness which is always present.
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Children’s Programs
Given the fruition of Shambhala vision as an enlightened society, many of our centres offer special programs for children, as well as for their parents and extended families. These events include art projects, storytelling, theatre and play, and help to impart a sense of mindfulness and gentleness through direct experience. Some centres also offer “Parenting as Path” groups.
Shambhala also strongly supports parents and care-givers who wish to apply contemplative principles to family life, as well as to pursue their own personal practice. Childcare during talks and specific programs is available at many centres. Please check with a Shambhala Meditation Centre in your area to find out more.
Ongoing Meditation Instruction
Having received a first instruction at a Shambhala program or event, anyone continuing on the path of meditation is invited to form an ongoing working relationship with a meditation instructor. Meditation instructors are senior practitioners who have undergone extensive, careful training; they learn to guide others along the path, drawing not only from the classical sources, but also from their own experience. The result is practical, friendly advice for integrating a spiritual life with the busy—often hectic—everyday world.
Books for Getting Started
The Shambhala Principle (Sakyong Mipham)
The Shambhala Principle offers the principle of basic goodness as a way of addressing the personal and social challenges that we face. Do we, as humans, have confidence in the basic goodness of humanity, as well as of society itself?
Order from: Shambhala Media, Amazon
Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior (Chögyam Trungpa)
A visionary work offering the path of the peaceful warrior to modern-day readers. Chögyam Trungpa reveals a method of overcoming aggression and violence in the world and fostering instead an enlightened society.
Order from: Shambhala Media, Amazon
Ruling Your World (Sakyong Mipham)
An approach to everyday emotions, decisions and dilemmas in our lives. Sakyong Mipham presents the radically simple idea that thinking of others can open our hearts and lead to natural happiness and confidence.
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Turning the Mind into an Ally (Sakyong Mipham)
How do we train the mind? Sakyong Mipham gives precise and practical instructions on how to turn the mind towards its natural qualities of stability, clarity and strength through the practices of shamatha (calm abiding) meditation and contemplative practice.
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The Myth of Freedom (Chögyam Trungpa)
A treatise on the true meaning of freedom. Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa describes how our habitual patterns of thought, behavior and even spiritual practice can become chains binding us to discontent and despair.
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T
he Wisdom of No Escape (Pema Chödrön)
A collection of talks for beginning meditators. Pema Chödrön offers a profoundly gentle guide to making friends with ourselves and navigating the ups and downs of life through the practice of meditation.
Order from: Shambhala Media, Amazon
