The Way of Shambhala

Within the broad range of programs offered at Shambhala Centres, The Way of Shambhala is our core path of training, suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators, and open to people of any spiritual tradition.

This series of weekend retreats and weeknight courses provides a structured, in-depth foundation in meditation, philosophy, contemplative arts, and physical disciplines, each rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan vajrayana Buddhism.

Guided by senior instructors and enhanced by engaging participants' own intelligence, emotions and creativity within a supportive community, this unique training provides tools for establishing and deepening a regular meditation practice, transforming relationship to stress, fear, doubt and dissatisfaction, and revealing contentment, confidence and compassion in everyday life.

Weeknight class at the Kootenay Shambhala Centre

The Way of Shambhala can benefit people of any way of life. Those who meet the prerequisites may participate to the extent they wish in the curriculum's two main parts, Way of Shambhala I and Way of Shambhala II.

This training also prepares students seeking to deepen their practice and study at Warrior Assembly and Sutrayana Seminary. To learn about these and other advanced programs (and their prerequisites), and for a wider view of the Shambhala Buddhist path altogether, visit Shambhala's Description of the Path webpage, and see the Shambhala Buddhist Path Illustration linked here: view or download (PDF).

The symbol shown at the left identifies Way of Shambhala programs on this website. The Kootenay Shambhala Centre offers all programs on a suggested-donation basis (see our Generosity Policy). For more information about the Way of Shambhala or any other aspect of the Shambhala Buddhist path, contact Russell Rodgers or Sally Albert, Co-Directors of Practice & Education, at nelsonbuddha@gmail.com.

  Download Way of Shambhala flyer (PDF)

 WAY OF SHAMBHALA I

The teachings of Way of Shambhala I are organized into five sequential levels. Each level consists of a Shambhala Training weekend program and a weeknight course from the "Everyday Life" series.

While you may take either the sequence of weekend programs or the sequence of weeknight courses exclusively, we encourage participation in both, as the combination can profoundly deepen and extend meditation. There is no need to commit to more than one weekend program or weeknight course at a time.

At the Kootenay Shambhala Centre, the entire Way of Shambhala I curriculum will likely be offered every two years. Completion of the curriculum sets the ground for Way of Shambhala II and will be a prerequisite for both Warrior Assembly and Sutrayana Seminary after 2010.

Way of Shambhala I is outlined in the table and summaries below. Both Shambhala Training Level I and Meditation in Everyday Life offer good introductions to meditation practice; you may start with either.

LEVEL I

• Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human

One- or 1.5-day weekend program  •  Open to newcomers
Through the practice of meditation, we glimpse unconditional goodness as the ground of our existence. As we open to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings.

• Meditation in Everyday Life

Five-class weeknight course  •  Open to newcomers
This course provides introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation on a regular basis. With simple instructions and support, mindfulness meditation practice can become part of our life, revealing our innate stability, strength and clarity.

LEVEL II

• Shambhala Training Level II: Birth of the Warrior
  

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level I

Meditation practice allows us to observe how we personally create a cocoon of habits to mask our fear. These habits trap us and prevent us from experiencing the full potential of our lives. Through meditation, we begin to appreciate that there is no fundamental obstacle to experiencing basic goodness.

• Contentment in Everyday Life
  

Five-class weeknight course  •  Open to newcomers

Contentment can be hard to find. We usually search for contentment in things, achievements or relationships. With meditation practice, we relax with ourselves and appreciate simple human experiences. Difficult emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness, mindfulness and inquisitiveness.

LEVEL III

• Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World
  

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level II

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
  

Five-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Contentment in Everyday Life

We often approach our lives with the idea that joy comes from the fulfillment of our personal desires. Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings on intelligent compassion towards others, we begin to discover the confidence and inspiration for a life of cheerful discipline, health and bravery.

LEVEL IV

• Shambhala Training Level IV: Awakened Heart
  

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level III

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
  

Five-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Joy in Everyday Life

As the path continues, we learn to work with our anxiety, so that we are not blocked by fear. Through an exploration of the traditional 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.

LEVEL V

• Shambhala Training Level V: Open Sky
  

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level IV

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
  

Five-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Fearlessness in Everyday Life

Meditation sharpens our intelligence and uncovers our wisdom. When we touch the world directly, we discover ordinary magic. No longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, we can include everything as part of the path and play with whatever arises. The challenges and richness of daily life become opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action.

Rigden: Unconditional Confidence

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level V and Wisdom in Everyday Life, or Shambhala Training Outrageous & Inscrutable
The contentment, joy, fearlessness and wisdom of Way of Shambhala I culminates in unconditional confidence. This weekend workshop, led by a master teacher in the Shambhala tradition, 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 world’s challenges.

 WAY OF SHAMBHALA II

Way of Shambhala II builds on Way of Shambhala I. It includes Shambhala Training Sacred Path weekend programs, and weeknight courses.

You may take the sequence of weekend programs without taking the weeknight courses, or vice versa. Completion of the whole curriculum will be a prerequisite for Sutrayana Seminary after 2010.

WEEKEND PROGRAMS

• Great Eastern Sun

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Way of Shambhala I, or Shambhala Training Level V and commitment to complete the rest of Way of Shambhala I as soon as possible

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

• Windhorse

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Great Eastern Sun

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.

• Drala

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Windhorse

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.

• Meek & Perky

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Drala

“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 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 & Inscrutable

Weekend program   •  Prerequisite: Meek & Perky

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

Three-day weekend program, or in combination with Warrior Assembly or Sutrayana Seminary   •  Prerequisite: Outrageous & Inscrutable

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.

WEEKNIGHT COURSES

• Karma & the Nidanas

Six-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Shambhala meditation instruction

This course examines the complex workings of karma and how to untangle ourselves from the web of confusion fueled by negative emotions and habitual patterns.

• Lojong: Training the Mind

Six-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Shambhala meditation instruction

Lojong (literally, "mind training") cultivates realization in emptiness and compassion, the essential qualities of the bodhisattva warrior. This practice-oriented course introduces the mahayana slogans of Atisha, a 10th century Indian Buddhist master, whose teachings left a deep imprint on all Tibetan lineages.

• Lineage & Devotion

Six-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Karma & the Nidanas and Lojong: Training the Mind

This course studies the life stories of Shambhala Buddhist lineage figures, introduces the principles of transmission, and explores the teacher-student relationship.

• Journey Without Goal

Six-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Karma & the Nidanas and Lojong: Training the Mind

Introducing the vajrayana, this course provides an overview of the teacher-student relationship, visualization and formless meditation, and other central aspects of the path.

• Emptiness

Six-class weeknight course  •  Prerequisite: Completion at least two Way of Shambhala weekend programs/weeknight courses

This course brings to life the classic Heart Sutra, line by line. Students study the philosophical meaning of "Form is emptiness; emptiness also is form. Emptiness is no other than form; form is no other than emptiness."

  Download Way of Shambhala flyer (PDF)

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org

Read more about meditation and buddhism at shambhalatimes.org

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Kootenay Shambhala Meditation Centre
3rd Floor - 444 Baker Street, PO Box 136, Nelson,  BC V1L 5P7
Tel. 250-352-5560    Email: