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Online Courses
Each online course comprises four main aspects:
How it works: Once a student registers for a particular course, s/he buys the required book(s) and we provide the link to the course web page and, as needed, assign a meditation instructor. The student can then access, at her/his convenience, the study guides, audio recordings and other materials (as PDF and MP3 files) on the web page and follow up with the meditation instructor by email, phone or online video as much as s/he finds helpful. These courses, led by senior Kootenay Shambhala Centre practitioners, are open to anyone who has received Shambhala meditation instruction, on a suggested-donation basis (see our Generosity Policy). Students may take the courses at any time and in any order, but we recommend that they start with "Taming the Mind." To register for any course, or for more information, contact Jim Northcote at info@nelsonbuddha.com.
A Six-Class Exploration of Atisha's Mind Training Slogans, with Russell Rodgers Suggested donation: $60 (books not included) Course scheduled to run Thursdays, November 11 - December 16, 2010 Lojong (literally, "mind training") practice is a way to transform deep-seated patterns and bring compassion, clarity and peace into our relationships. This course explores the mahayana slogans of Atisha, a 10th-century Indian Buddhist master, whose teachings left a deep imprint on all Tibetan lineages. We will emphasize the contemplative practice of exchanging self for other—tonglen—in conjunction with the application of the slogans in day-to-day situations. The course readings are from the books Start Where You Are, by Pema Chödrön, and Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness, by Chögyam Trungpa. Click here for full description
A Five-Class Introduction to the Foundation Teachings of Buddhism, with Russell Rodgers Suggested donation: $50 (book not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, September 28 - October 26, 2006 This course introduces students to the view and practice of the hinayana (foundation teachings). The readings, from the book Taming the Mind and Walking the Bodhisattva Path, which is based on a seminar taught by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, describe the path of renouncing confused existence and the joy of developing discipline on the path to liberation. Sakyong Mipham emphasizes the importance of understanding what we're doing, and presents the path in a vast, multiple lifetimes perspective.
A Six-Class Introduction to the Mahayana, with Tim Albert and Robin Higgins Suggested donation: $60 (books not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, November 9 - December 14, 2006 In the readings from the book Taming the Mind and Walking the Bodhisattva Path, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche presents the mahayana path of dedicating one's life and practice to rousing awakened heart and engaging the practices of a bodhisattva warrior for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is recommended that participants also have access to the (widely available) book Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, by Chögyam Trungpa.
A Six-Class Introduction to Tantra, with Russell Rodgers and Sally Albert Suggested donation: $60 (book not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, January 4 - February 8, 2007 This course introduces the principles of tantra, or fruition practice. The readings are drawn mainly from the book Journey Without Goal, compiled from a series of lectures Chögyam Trungpa gave at the Naropa Institute in 1974. These teachings provide a direct and experiential picture of the teacher-student relationship, devotion and empowerment, mandala principle, visualization and formless meditation, and the fruition qualities of the five wisdom energies.
A Six-Class Exploration of Atisha's Mind Training Slogans, with Dr. Duncan Grady Suggested donation: $60 (books not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, February 22 - March 29, 2007 Lojong (literally, "mind training") cultivates realization in emptiness and compassion, the essential qualities of the bodhisattva warrior. This practice-oriented course explores the mahayana slogans of Atisha, a 10th-century Indian Buddhist master, whose teachings left a deep imprint on all Tibetan lineages. The contemplative practice of exchanging self for other—tonglen—is emphasized in conjunction with the day-to-day application of the slogans. The course readings are from the books The Great Path of Awakening, by Jamgon Kongtrul, and Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness, by Chögyam Trungpa.
A Six-Class Course, with Russell Rodgers Suggested donation: $60 (book not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, April 19 - May 24, 2007 Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness is a very challenging course based on the book of the same name by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. The book follows the development of understanding of egolessness/emptiness through different Buddhist schools, finally arriving at the Shentong school, which is the closely associated with Shambhala Buddhism. These schools roughly correspond to the developmental stages of a practitioner's understanding.
A Six-Class Presentation of the Six Transcendent Actions of the Bodhisattva Path, with Sally Albert Suggested donation: $60 (books not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, September 20 - October 25, 2007 This course presents the six paramitas (transcendent actions), the means by which bodhisattva warriors actualize their aspiration to attain complete enlightenment for the benefit of all. The course readings are from the 1980 and 1982 Hinayana-Mahayana Seminary Transcripts.
A Six-Class Examination of the Workings of Karma, with Cameron Wenaus Suggested donation: $60 (books not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, November 8 - December 13, 2007 Karma—cause-and-effect action—can be broken down into twelve links, or nidanas. In this course we look at how these links work together, how the vicious circle of confusion and suffering arises and therefore how it can cease, allowing innate wisdom to manifest. The course readings are mainly from Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, by Chögyam Trungpa, and Karma and the Twelve Nidanas: A Sourcebook for the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies.
A Six-Class Exploration of the Meaning of Lineage and Devotion, with Tim Albert and Jim Northcote Suggested donation: $60 (materials not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, February 28 - April 3, 2008 This course (a.k.a. Lineage and Devotion) presents the principles of transmission and the student-teacher relationship as a key aspect of the study and practice of Shambhala Buddhism, explores the meaning and development of devotion, and introduces the central lineage figures of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. The course readings are from Lineage and Devotion: A Sourcebook for the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies and a variety of other sources.
A Six-Class Study of a Seminal Text, with Russell Rodgers Suggested donation: $60 (materials not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, April 24 - May 29, 2008 The Sadhana of Mahamudra is a short liturgy practiced by the Shambhala community on the new and full moon days of the lunar calendar. It was written by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche while he was on retreat in Bhutan in 1968. This retreat marked a profound turning point in his presentation of the buddhadharma in the West. The text expresses the importance of an uncorrupted lineage and the subtle teachings on awareness involved in the mahamudra and maha ati practices. This course explores the meaning of the Sadhana, and also of vajrayana, the highest teachings of Buddhism. The course readings are largely from the Sadhana of Mahamudra Sourcebook, which is based on seminars given by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness A Five-Class Practice Oriented Course, with Cameron Wenaus Suggested donation: $60 Course originally ran Thursdays, September 11 - October 9, 2008 The four foundations of mindfulness—mindfulness of body, feeling, mind and mental events—represent one of the most widely practiced teachings on Buddhist meditation. This course, recommended for practitioners at all levels, shows the degree of precision that one can bring to meditation practice and the degree of insight that can simultaneously arise.
The Three Jewels A Three-Class Course, with Lynn Dragone Suggested donation: $40 Course originally ran Thursdays, January 15 - 29, 2009 This course explores what it means to take refuge in the three jewels—Buddha, dharma and sangha—and to become a Buddhist. It is both essential preparation for students aiming to take the refuge vow and open to anyone interested in exploring the topic of refuge yet not ready to make a formal commitment.
Mahayana & the Bodhisattva Vow A Four-Class Course, with Cameron Wenaus and Robin Higgins Suggested donation: $50 (materials included) Course originally ran Thursdays, February 5 - 26, 2009 The entrance into the mahayana, the "great vehicle" of deep insight and vast action, is marked by taking the courageous vow of the bodhisattva. Through this vow, we dedicate our life and practice toward complete awakening and the benefit of all beings. The liturgy of the vow serves as the core contemplative component for this course in conjunction with the practice of rousing bodhichitta, or awakened heart. The course is open to anyone and is required preparation for those aspiring to take the bodhisattva vow.
A Ten-Class Course, with Russell Rodgers and Duncan Grady Suggested donation: $100 (book not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, March 5 - May 7, 2009 Over thousands of years buddhist meditators have explored their minds and perceptions. These explorations have led to the central theme in Mahayana buddhism of fullness/emptiness. Historically, different schools arose in succession, each with a view and meditative experience deeper and more subtle than the previous one. In this course (a.k.a. Emptiness) we will use readings, mainly from the book Contemplating Reality by Andy Karr, and discussion to explore our understanding of ourselves and our world. We will deepen that with meditative contemplations and explorations to bring the ideas into the realm of personal experience.
A Five-Class Course, with Russell Rodgers Suggested donation: $50 Course originally ran Thursdays, November 12 - December 10, 2009 This course will feature the National Film Board of Canada's two-part video The Tibetan Book of the Dead and talks by senior teacher Russell Rodgers. The first video includes footage of the rites surrounding and following the death of a Ladakhi elder. The second depicts the perils and opportunities of the after-death bardos (literally, "intermediate states"). The Tibetan Book of the Dead is not just about dying and death; it also describes an extremely subtle level of our minds. The talks will explain how the bardo principle manifests, and how we can work with it in this life—bringing benefit both now and when we die.
A Six-Class Course, with David Marshall Suggested donation: $60 (book not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, February 11 - March 18, 2010 The Abhidharma is the collection of the Buddha's teachings on the composition and functions of the human mind. In this course we will explore how the functions of mind described in the Abhidharma are directly accessible in meditation experience, and how experience and understanding of these functions can help reduce suffering and ultimately lead to enlightenment. Topics will include the eightfold division of consciousness, the basic functions of mind called the skandhas, and how the ego-based operation of mind produces the repetitive patterns of thought and behaviour known as karma. The course text is Glimpses of Abhidharma, by Chögyam Trungpa.
A Five-Class Course, with Russell Rodgers Suggested donation: $60 (materials not included) Course originally ran Thursdays, May 20 - June 17, 2010 In this course we will look at how our minds create a sense of separation from nature, how that perceived separation has led to our present ecological predicament, how meditation can help heal that gulf, and practices that can enhance our sensory and empathetic connection with the natural world. For those working to change social attitudes, we will explore meditation as a way of reducing burnout while enhancing clarity, patience and compassion so that our messages can be effectively communicated. The readings are largely from Sacred World: The Shambhala Way to Gentleness, Bravery, and Power, by Jeremy and Karen Hayward. |
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Online Courses 
Since September 2006, the Kootenay Shambhala Centre has been running a distance learning program, offering 
Taming the Mind
Journey Without Goal
Lojong: Training the Mind
Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness
The Bodhisattva Warrior: Six Paramitas
Karma & the Nidanas
Transmitting Natural Mind 
Sadhana of Mahamudra
Contemplating Reality 
The Tibetan Book of the Dead
Looking at Mind: An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology 
Earth Dharma Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org |
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