The Way of Shambhala

Our Core Curriculum

Throughout history, people have aspired to create societies that express the dignity of human existence within a wise, flourishing culture. This is the vision of Shambhala - a legendary enlightened society. The first king of Shambhala is said to have received teachings directly from the Buddha; teachings on the inseparability of spirituality and everyday life.

The Shambhala teachings recognize the truth of innate human wisdom and basic goodness, which does not belong to any one religion or doctrine. We can appreciate all genuine contemplative paths, whether they stem from the great religions, the arts, or from native spirituality; however, this wisdom arises only when the grasping and confusion of ego is stilled through a commitment to a contemplative discipline.

The Tibetan meditation master, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche carried this tradition into the modern world. He writes,

The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there is a basic human wisdom that can help to solve the world's problems. This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come only from the West or the East. Rather it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history.

At the heart of the Shambhala warrior tradition is the view that a brilliant life is accessible to everyone. Contemplative practices bring a natural sense of goodness, fearlessness, and humor into our ordinary lives. This path of warriorship is built upon the practice of meditation and therefore emphasizes bravery, gentleness, and genuineness.

The Way of Shambhala series of workshops, retreats and evening courses provides an experiential overview of meditation practices, wisdom teachings, contemplative arts, and physical disciplines rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan vajrayana Buddhism. This series is offered within a supportive community and is open to people of all religious backgrounds or no religious background. This path is recommended for new and experienced meditators, as well as those looking to enrich their personal spiritual path.

Shambhala Training Level I, Meditation in Everyday Life and Contentment in Everyday Life are the gateways to this core curriculum. See the schedule listed below for when you can jump in.

For an overview of the Way of Shambhala, watch this video, which was presented at the Akron Shambhala Center on October 13th, 2009. The teacher is Acharya (senior teacher) Adam Lobel, who along with lineage holder Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, developed the new meditation training curriculum for all Shambhala Buddhist meditation centers.

The Way of Shambhala Series:

Level I Weekend: 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.

Open to the Public

March 2nd-March 4th 2012

                        August 24th-August 26th 2012

Meditation in Everyday Life 

The Meditation in Everyday Life class is designed to provide students with the introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation in everyday life.

Meditation is the ground practice of the Shambhala path

and from that ground all the teachings unfurl.

Open to the Public

January 23rd - February 20th, 2012, 5 Mondays 7-9pm

Level II Weekend: 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.

Prerequisite: Level I Weekend

April 13th - April 15th 2012

Contentment in Everyday Life

The Contentment in Everyday Life course is a thorough exploration of mindfulness meditation, delving into the foundational views of the Hinayana Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. By acknowledging and understanding the reality of suffering we can open to our inherent goodness and express the qualities of gentleness, appreciation, and fearlessness in our everyday lives.

Open to the Public

March 5th - April 2nd, 2012, 5 Mondays 7-9pm

Level III Weekend: 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.

Prerequisite: Level II Weekend

January 6th - 8th, 2012

                        May 18th - 20th, 2012

Joy in Everyday Life

Joy in Everyday Life will go into the Shambhala teachings on cheerfulness and health. Through study and practice of these teachings on discipline and the traditional Buddhist teachings of the Mahayana, we step out of the trap of our habitual patterns, free ourselves from confusion, and cultivate the noble heart of compassion. This class is a strong introduction to the Buddhist concept of bodhicitta.

Prerequisite: Contentment in Everyday Life

January 5th - February 2nd, 2012, 5 Thursdays 7-9pm

April 23rd - May 21st, 2012, 5 Mondays 7-9pm

Level IV Weekend: 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.

Prerequisite: Level III Weekend

February 24th - 26th, 2012

Fearlessness in Everyday Life

The Fearlessness in Everyday Life course mixes meditation with the vastness of space beyond concept. Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness, the meditator opens to groundlessness and uncertainty, learning to soar fearlessly like the mythical bird known as the Garuda.

Pre-requisite: Joy in Everyday Life

March 1st - 29th, 2012, 5 Thursdays 7-9pm

Level V Weekend: 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

Prerequisite: Level IV Weekend

April 20th - 22nd, 2012

Wisdom in Everyday Life

The final class in the Way of Shambhala is Wisdom in Everyday Life, where we study the unwavering warrior whose confidence is unconditional and playful. Here the practitioner is introduced to the Vajrayana teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Pre-requisite: Fearlessness in Everyday Life

April 19th - May 17th, 2012, 5 Thursdays, 7-9pm

Rigden Weekend

The contentment, joy, fearlessness and wisdom of the Way of Shambhala culminates in unconditional confidence. This weekend workshop introduces the teachings of enlightened leadership. With the great problems now facing human society, it seems increasingly important to find simple ways to bring compassionate and strong leadership to the world, even in small ways. This weekend emphasizes genuine confidence and steadfastness in facing the worlds challenges.

Pre-requisite: Completion of the entire Way of Shambhala curriculum or completion of Sacred Path through Outrageous/Inscrutable. 
June 8th - June 12th 2012

--

Search   Home   Meditation   About Us    Programs   Way of Shambhala   Arts  Community

Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston
646 Brookline Avenue, Brookline,  MA 02445
Tel. 617-734-1498    Email: click here to email