The Shambhala Training Path

The Shambhala Tradition

A basic truth of the Shambhala teachings is that we all want to lead sane, dignified lives, and that this is possible. If we look directly at our own experience, we can discover a continuity of wakeful dignity underlying all changing conditions. This wholesome, wakeful presence is referred to in Shambhala Training as basic goodness.

The Shambhala teachings recognize that this truth of innate human wisdom and basic goodness 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 Shambhala Training is inspired by the ancient legend of the Kingdom of Shambhala, said to be a society which drew its gentle and fearless sense of social responsibility from the practice of meditation. The legend of the Kingdom of Shambhala has been a guiding vision for many centuries in Asian culture and has parallels in Western traditions. Shambhala represents the ideal of secular enlightenment, a view that all aspects of civilization—family, commerce, education, science, the arts, religion—can be permeated with a natural sense of sacredness.

Shambhala Training is suited for both beginning and experienced meditators alike. It consists of a series of weekend contemplative workshops and a series of weekday classes called the Way of Shambhala. The weekend Shambhala Trainings can be taken on their own, but the weekday classes pair with and expand the teachings given in the weekend workshops. The simple and profound technique of mindfulness and awareness is the basis of a secular path of meditation, which can benefit people of any spiritual tradition and way of life.

The sequential program includes the study and practice of Shambhala warriorship- a path of nonaggression born from the bravery and gentleness of meeting our world without bias or judgment. This path shows how to take the challenges of daily life in our modern society as opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action.

The Shambhala Training weekends consist of thorough instruction in meditation, the practice of sitting and walking meditation in a group setting, one-on-one interviews to clarify questions, discussion groups and talks by a senior teacher.

The Heart of Warriorship  

Levels I-V provide a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice, emphasizing the development of genuine confidence, humor, and personal dignity within the complexity of daily life. These weekend workshops are recommended for new and experienced meditators, as well as for those looking to enrich their existing spiritual tradition.

These five workshops include meditation training and practice, talks by senior instructors, personal interviews and group discussions.

Schedule

Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human

February 5th - February 7th with Carolyn Krusinski

April 9th - April 11th with Diana Evans
Discovering basic goodness in the world and ourselves.

Shambhala Training Level II: The Birth of the Warrior

May 21st - May 23rd
Having experienced a taste of basic goodness, we want to go forward.

Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World

Having learned not to turn away from fear, we can extend that practice into everyday life situations without the barrier of the cocoon.

Shambhala Training Level IV: Awakened Heart

March 5th - 7th with Mary Lang

In Level IV, we learn how to awaken and open our hearts so that we can communicate fully with the world. We open to increased awareness and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is.

Shambhala Training Level V: Open Sky

May 14th - 16th with Donna Williams

Sharpening one’s awareness, one finds the open clear sky of mind—a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy. Trusting our nature enough to let go into the present moment.

Culminating the Way of Shambhala and Heart of Warriorship:

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 and emphasizes genuine confidence and steadfastness in facing the worlds challenges.

September 10th - 12th

The Sacred Path

The Sacred Path program introduces further warriorship practices that extend the basic meditation training. These practices are based on a societal vision and aspiration to help the world. This level of training cultivates one's dignity and natural gifts that are able to widen one's sphere of compassionate and practical influence. During a series of visionary experiences that took place between 1976 and 1980, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote down the Shambhala texts. The Sacred Path is based on these texts and on the extensive commentaries Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave on these teachings and on how to practice them in modern times.

Note: The Boston Shambhala Center will not be offering Sacred Path programs until the autumn. Dorje Denma Ling, in Nova Scotia, will be offering G.E.S, Windhorse and Drala in February and The Four Dignities (Sacred Path Levels) in June. You may also want to visit the following websites for program dates:

Karme Choling

Sky Lake

Pioneer Valley Shambhala Center

Brunswick Portland Shambhala Center

Shambhala Meditation Center Of New York

Great Eastern Sun
This weekend program teaches how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists; an introduction to membership in Shambhala—a living context for building a sane society.

Drala
Through exploring the depth of perception, one engages the elemental and magical strength inherent in the world. The principle of drala refers to the sacred energy and power that exists when we step beyond aggression.

Windhorse
One studies the text that gives the instruction for “raising windhorse,” which opens the heart and refreshes one's confidence. The practice is a way to bring about skillful and heartfelt social engagement, enabling the warrior to go forward in the midst of whatever challenges occur.

Meek
“The four dignities” are introduced as a path and a process, which describe a warrior's maturing and widening sphere of benevolent engagement in the world. The training in the dignities allows one to maintain awareness and delight at each stage. Meek is a study of the grounded, humble and gentle beginning stages of a warrior's journey. Here one trains to overcome arrogance—the primary obstacle to learning.

Perky
As the second of the four dignities, this level focuses on cultivating sharp, vibrant and uplifted energy through natural discipline. Overcoming the trap of doubt, the warrior of perky is able to accomplish his or her activities with a sense of nobility and ease.

Outrageous and Inscrutable
These fruitional dignities refer to the extraordinary skill of a practiced warrior. No longer afraid of making mistakes, the unconventional and visionary perspective of the outrageous warrior combines with the skill of spontaneous inscrutability to create benefit for others on a large scale.

Golden Key
This program is based on a Shambhala text that works with our relationship to the “material world” and our sense perceptions. It teaches the practice of enriching presence—the ability to instantly sense the inner wealth within oneself, phenomena, and the natural world.

Advanced Programs

Warrior Assembly

The Warrior Assembly, the jewel of Shambhala Training and the culmination of the Sacred Path program, is a living teaching in creating enlightened society. Participants receive the transmission of advanced Shambhala warriorship practices and study the root text and commentary, The Golden Sun of the Great East. This text describes the principles and practice of Ashe, a simple and powerful practice that enables one to transform confusion and hesitation into wisdom and authenticity.

Upcoming Warrior Assemblies:

Warrior Assembly information and application

• Dechen Choling
  June 5 - June 16, 2010
• Shambhala Mountain Center
  June 11 - June 22, 2010
• Karme Choling
  August 13 - August 24, 2010

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Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston
646 Brookline Avenue, Brookline,  MA 02445
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