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The Way of Shambhala I The Way of Shambhala offers a structured path of authentic meditation practice and a complete introduction to Shambhala Buddhism. Open to people of any spiritual tradition, this program is designed for people living in the modern world, and is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators alike. It provides a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation, wisdom teachings, contemplative arts and physical disciplines rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. The practices and teachings engage our emotions, intelligence, creativity, and the practicalities of modern daily life. The program, taught by experienced Shambhala teachers under the guidance of the Shambhala lineage-holder Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, offers insight into how meditation can increase the sanity in our daily lives, and from there expand to impact our whole society. Program Overview The Way of Shambhala is a sequential series of contemplative weekend workshops and weeknight classes organized into five series. Each series consists of a weekend workshop and a five week evening class that includes meditation training and practice, teaching by senior instructors, and contemplative exercises. Participants may choose to proceed sequentially through the entire program, or participate exclusively in the Shambhala Training weekends I-V. Students may also choose to participate in the first two weeknight courses -- Meditation in Everyday Life and Contentment in Everyday Life -- without doing any previous courses.
Program Descriptions
Series 1 - Meditation in Everyday Life Level I: The Art of Being Human Through the practice of meditation, we glimpse unconditional goodness as the ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings. Meditation in Everyday Life This course provides the introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation in everyday life. With simple instructions and support, mindfulness meditation practice can become part of our lives, bringing greater stability, strength, and clarity. Series 2 - Contentment in Everyday Life Level II: Birth of the Warrior Having experienced a taste of basic goodness, we want to go forward. Meditation practice allows us to observe how we create a cocoon of habits to mask our fear. We begin to appreciate that there is no fundamental obstacle to experiencing basic goodness. Contentment in Everyday Life This course provides an exploration of mindfulness meditation, the foundational views of the hinayana Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. With meditation practice, we learn to appreciate ourselves and simple human experiences. Difficult emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness, steadiness, and humor. Series 3 - Joy in Everyday Life Level III: Warrior in the World Developing fearlessness by examining our habitual tendencies, we are willing to experience our life without relying on the cocoon. We begin to engage the world directly and extend the attitude of fearlessness to our activities. Joy in Everyday Life As meditation practice expands and we develop trust in basic goodness, we begin to discover the confidence and personal energy to go forward on the journey. This leads to a sense of joy and bravery. The mahayana teachings on compassion become the inspiration for a life of cheerful discipline and freedom from doubt. Series 4 - Fearlessness in Everyday Life Level IV: Awakened Heart 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. Fearlessness in Everyday Life Learning to work with our anxiety, we are not blocked by fear. Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings of mind and the nature of reality, we learn to see clearly. We dare to face life and death as they are. The meditator, open to uncertainty, goes beyond the emotions of hope and fear to experience equanimity. Series 5 - Wisdom in Everyday Life Level V: Open Sky Communicating with the world gently and fearlessly, our awareness is sharpened and we find the open clear sky of mind—a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy. We trust our nature enough to let go into the present moment Wisdom in Everyday Life Meditation sharpens our intelligence and uncovers our wisdom. Students will receive practical instructions for transforming confused emotions and situations into effective actions as they arise. No longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, we can include everything as part of the path. The challenges of daily life become opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action. Rigden The Way of Shambhala culminates in the Rigden Weekend. The Rigden is a representation of our basic enlightened nature and embodies the principle of unconditional bravery. Historically, rigdens were enlightened rulers—those who could “rule their world” based on their unwavering experience of basic goodness. This weekend includes a formal transmission of windhorse practice, and study of the Six Ways of Ruling.
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Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org
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