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Way of Shambhala
The path of Shambhala is here to awaken us to the potential of our lives. It teaches us how to live meaningfully and vigorously, with joy. Its ancient but practical wisdom allows us to discover unconditional human confidence. Through the practice of meditation, we discover that goodness, strength, and wisdom are inherent in our own mind and being. Having gained this insight, we are able to maneuver through life with courage, intelligence, and compassion. Daily life becomes an opportunity to further cultivate these qualities. In Shambhala this journey is exemplified by the tiger, lion, garuda, and dragon—four animals that each reveal to us a specific wisdom. As we fully realize these enlightened qualities, we are able to rouse them for a world that desperately needs this knowledge and experience. I look forward to working with you as we make this journey together. ––––– Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche The Way of Shambhala offers a structured path of meditation and a complete introduction to the foundations of Shambhala Buddhism. Suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators, and open to people of any spiritual tradition, this series of weekends and classes provide a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice, wisdom teachings, and physical practices rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. Students will also be introduced to contemplative disciplines that make the journey experiential—touching our emotions, our intelligence, our creativity, and the practical details of daily life in modern society. The programs are presented by experienced Shambhala teachers under the guidance of the Shambhala lineage-holder, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The Way of Shambhala is a sequential series of weekends and weeknight classes. Taking the classes along with the weekends expands the experience of the intensive weekends. While it is encouraged and beneficial to do both, the Shambhala Training levels may be taken without the Way of Shambhala classes. Alternatively, students may choose to participate in the Way of Shambhala classes up through Wisdom in Everyday Life, without participating in Shambhala Training weekends. Unless otherwise noted, all weekends and classes listed below take place at the Berkeley Shambhala Center. See norcal.shambhala.org for The Way of Shambhala weekends and classes throughout the Bay area Meditation in Everyday Life series The Way of Shambhala begins with the Shambhala Training Level I weekend, “The Art of Being Human”, and continues with a five–week course “Meditation in Everyday Life”. In Shambhala Training Level I, students are introduced to basic goodness and the practice of meditation in a supportive, social environment. The weekend includes meditation practice, discussion, and individual meetings with meditation instructors. The Meditation in Everyday Life course, which follows the weekend, provides an opportunity to deepen the experience and understanding of meditation, with practical suggestions for establishing a sitting practice in the midst of our speedy lives. Each evening class allows for open discussion of the challenges that students face in their practice. Shambhala Training Level I weekend: The Art of Being Human (open to everyone) Friday, August 24th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday, August 25th, 8:30am - 7:00pm
Meditation in Everyday Life class (open to everyone) Thursdays, September 6th through October 4th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Contentment in Everyday Life series As we continue with the Contentment in Everyday Life series, meditation experience is deepened through the cultivation of contentment and simplicity. We explore the foundational views of the hinayana Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. Through understanding the painful conditions and emotions that keep us trapped in habitual patterns, we can open to our inherent goodness and express the qualities of the Tiger: gentleness, appreciation and steadiness. Shambhala Training Level II weekend: Birth of the Warrior (Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level I) Fall dates to be announced.
Contentment in Everyday Life class (open to everyone) Fall dates to be announced. Joy in Everyday Life series This series expands the meditation experience by cultivating the noble-heart of the mahayana teachings, opening the path to the virtue and celebration of compassion. Through practical methods, we further develop kindness toward ourselves and others. We emphasize the joy and invigoration that comes from discipline. The Lion represents the qualities of cheerfulness, health, and freedom from doubt. Shambhala Training Level III weekend: Warrior in the World (Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level II) Fall dates to be announced. Joy in Everyday Life class (Prerequisite: Contentment in Everyday Life class) Fall dates to be announced. Fearlessness in Everyday Life Series The Fearlessness in Everyday Life series mixes meditation with the vastness of space beyond concept. Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness and clear seeing, the meditation opens to the groundlessness, uncertainty and creativity of the world as it is. By exploring the entrapping emotions of hope and fear, we learn to soar fearlessly like the mythical bird known as the Garuda. Shambhala Training Level IV weekend: Awakened Heart (Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level III) August 24-26 in Santa Rosa. August 24-26 in Davis.
Fearlessness in Everyday Life class (Prerequisite: Joy in Everyday Life class) Saturdays, 10-3pm, September 8, 15, 29, 2012 in San Francisco. Wisdom in Everyday Life series The Wisdom in Everyday Life series looks at the qualities of a master warrior whose vastness of mind and skills in enriching the world are fully manifested. Here the practitioner is introduced to the vajrayana teachings of Buddhism, which reveal the sacredness of the phenomenal world. Students will receive essential instructions for transforming confused emotions and situations into wisdom as they arise. The master warrior is no longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, but with tremendous forward vision and strength, the Dragon playfully includes everything as part of the path. In this way, the warrior is able to skillfully benefit the world.
Shambhala Training Level V weekend: Open Sky (Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level IV) October 12-14, 2012. Wisdom in Everyday Life class (Prerequisite: Fearlessness in Everyday Life class) Saturdays, 10-3pm, October 27, November 3, 17, 2012. Rigden Weekend The Way of Shambhala will culminate 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. Rigden Weekend Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Levels I-V and all the Way of Shambhala classes from Meditation in Everyday Life to Wisdom in Everyday Life, or completion of the Sacred Path program. Dates to be announced. |
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