Shambhala Training

Shambhala Training is a series of contemplative workshops, suited for both beginning and experienced meditators. The meditation practices introduced at these workshops are a way to cultivate increased awareness and compassion. The workshops are suitable for anyone of any spiritual tradition or way of life looking to explore the transformative benefits of meditation.

This sequential program is part of an integrated program, called Way of Shambhala, that offers an experiential overview of meditation practices, wisdom teachings, and contemplative arts rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. The program unfolds through four stages and is presented as a series of contemplative workshops and classes taught by experienced Shambhala teachers. These stages represent the natural progression of awakening in our life. Many of the weekends and weekday courses are open to the public.

Shambhala Training Levels, The Heart of Warriorship and The Sacred Path, can also be practiced as an independent series of workshops.

Please refer to the program schedule for upcoming Shambhala Training levels.

The Heart of Warriorship

These five workshops include 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.  Becoming a warrior in the Shambhala tradition means developing the courage to meet life’s challenges with openness and strength.

The Heart of Warriorship Levels 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 workshops are recommended for new and experienced meditators, as well as for those looking to enrich their existing spiritual tradition.

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

The levels, described below, are offered in two formats:

• weekend programs
• morning format - a series of four Friday mornings

Pre-registration is required.   Please contact the centre by phone or email.

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Level I: 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.

Level II: 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.

Level III: 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.

Level IV: 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.

Level V: 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

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The Sacred Path

The Sacred Path program introduces further practices of warriorship, 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.

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

The format of the Sacred Path program consists of a series of weekend programs, as described below.

Pre-registration is required.   Please contact the centre by phone or email.

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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.

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.

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.

Meek and Perky

“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 is the second of the four dignities and 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

The third and fourth dignities, Outrageous and Inscrutable, emphasize fruition and 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.

Please refer to the program schedule for upcoming Shambhala Training levels.

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org
Read more about meditation and buddhism at shambhalatimes.org

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Halifax Shambhala Centre
1084 Tower Road, Halifax,  NS B3H 2Y5
Tel. 902 420-1118 x110    Email: