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Way of Shambhala
Throughout history, people have aspired to create societies that express the dignity of human existence within a wise, flourishing culture. This is the vision of Shambhala - a legendary enlightened society. The first king of Shambhala is said to have received teachings directly from the Buddha; teachings on the inseparability of spirituality and everyday life. The Tibetan meditation master, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche carried this tradition into the modern world.
The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there is a basic human wisdom that can help to solve the world's problems. This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come only from the West or the East. Rather it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history.
Warriorship is a path of bravery, gentleness, and genuineness. At the heart of the Shambhala warrior tradition is the view that a brilliant life is accessible to everyone. Contemplative practices bring a natural sense of goodness, fearlessness, and humor into our ordinary lives.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Way of Shambhala is a complete training in authentic meditation practices and teachings. This series of workshops and courses is an experiential overview of meditation practices, wisdom teachings, contemplative arts, and physical disciplines rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism.
The Way of Shambhala is a sequential program of contemplative weekend workshops and weeknight classes organized into two parts - Way of Shambhala I and Way of Shambhala II.
All are welcome to participate. Way of Shambhala is open to people of all religious backgrounds or no religious background. It is recommended for new and experienced meditators, as well as those looking to enrich their personal spiritual path.
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Way of Shambhala I
Way of Shambhala I is organized into five series. Each series includes a workshop (level), in either weekend or weekday morning format, and a companion five-week evening class.
Participants may choose to proceed sequentially through the entire program, or participate in either the Shambhala Training levels or the weeknight classes.
However, in order to attend the final Rigden Weekend (which is a prerequisite for Way of Shambhala II), all previous weekends and classes must be completed first.
Program Descriptions
Series 1 - Meditation in Everyday Life
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.
Open to the Public
"Meditation in Everyday Life" Course
The Meditation in Everyday Life module is designed to provide students with the introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation in everyday life. With simple instructions and support, mindfulness meditation practice can become part of our lives, bringing greater stability, strength, and clarity.
Open to the Public
Series 2 - Contentment in Everyday Life
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.
Prerequisite: Level I
"Contentment in Everyday Life" Course
This course provides an exploration of mindfulness meditation, the foundational views of the hinayana Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. With meditation practice, we learn to appreciate ourselves and simple human experiences. Difficult emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness, steadiness, and humor.
Open to the Public
Series 3 - Joy in Everyday Life
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.
Prerequisite: Level II
"Joy in Everyday Life" Course
As meditation practice expands and we develop trust in basic goodness, we begin to discover the confidence and personal energy to go forward on the journey. This leads to a sense of joy and bravery. The mahayana teachings on compassion become the inspiration for a life of cheerful discipline and freedom from doubt.
Prerequisite: Contentment in Everyday Life
Series 4 - Fearlessness in Everyday Life
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.
Prerequisite: Level III
"Fearlessness in Everyday Life" Course
Learning to work with our anxiety, we are not blocked by fear. Through an exploration of the 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.
Prerequisite: Joy in Everyday Life
Series 5 - Wisdom in Everyday Life
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
Prerequisite: Level IV
"Wisdom in Everyday Life" Course
Meditation sharpens our intelligence and uncovers our wisdom. Students will receive practical instructions for transforming confused emotions and situations into effective actions as they arise. No longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, we can include everything as part of the path. The challenges of daily life become opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action.
Prerequisite: Fearlessness in Everyday Life
Rigden
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.
Prerequisite: Wisdom in Everyday Life and Level V, or completion of the Sacred Path program and some introductory Buddhist classes.
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Way of Shambhala II
Way of Shambhala II currently includes a curriculum of five Shambhala Training Sacred Path weekends and five weeknight classes.
Participants may choose to proceed through the entire program, or participate in either the Shambhala Training weekends or the weeknight classes - each sequentially.
However, in order to qualify for Sutrayana Seminary, the entire Way of Shambhala II program must be completed.
Weekend Program Descriptions
- Great Eastern Sun
This weekend program teaches us how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists, and includes an introduction to membership in Shambhala - a living context for building a sane society.
Prerequisite: Way of Shambhala I
- Windhorse
Introduction and instruction for the practice of “raising windhorse” is given, 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.
Prerequisite: Great Eastern Sun
- 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.
Prerequisite: Windhorse
- 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.
Prerequisite: Drala
- 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.
Prerequisite: Meek and Perky
Course Descriptions
Note that the weekly courses of Way of Shambhala II are not scheduled to follow the weekend courses as in Way of Shambhala I. These courses can be taken separate from the weekends as prerequisites are met.
- Karma and The Twelve Nidana's
The complex workings of karma are examined through the teachings on the "Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination". These twelve links, or nidanas, are one of the best known Buddhist explanations of the causal chain-reaction of confusion, which creates the perpetual cycle of suffering called samsara.
By looking directly at the experience of mind, we begin to understand our apparent confusion about ourselves and the phenomena of our world, and how it could be interrupted thus allowing wakeful wisdom to manifest.
- Lojong
Coupling practical advice with penetrating wisdom, the teachings on lojong offer a workable way to develop genuine compassion in our daily lives.
Based on Atisha’s original Seven Points of Mind Training, this course introduces two essential practices of the bodhisattva warrior: Tonglen (Exchanging Self For Other), and contemplation of the Lojong slogans. Through these two Mahayana practices, we find ourselves developing openness naturally and gaining greater skills in helping others.
- Lineage and Devotion
The principles of transmission and the student/teacher relationship are introduced as a central component to advancing on the Shambhala Buddhist Path.
Included is an overview of the path of devotion according to the three yanas, or vehicles, of Tibetan Buddhism; and an introduction to the central lineage figures of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition and the living, up-to-date nature of their life examples.
- Journey Without Goal
The Shambhala Buddhist tradition includes the special practices and path of tantra, or the Vajrayana, which are the pinnacle of view and skillful means that leads to ultimate wisdom and compassion.
This course provides a glimpse of the tantric world and it’s requisites: the tantric student/teacher relationship, transmission of the teachings from teacher to student, “abhisheka” or empowerment, and the principles of vajra nature, mandala, the five Buddha families, and “sacred world”.
- Emptiness
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the meaning of one of the most famous and yet difficult teachings of the Buddha --The Heart Sutra. When the Heart Sutra was first taught, it is said that this proclamation of emptiness was so powerful that several highly realized disciples died of heart attacks on the spot. Yet today we can read it without missing a beat!
By studying and contemplating the sutra line by line, mixing view with practice, and reflecting on experiences of emptiness in our everyday experience, this course brings these esoteric teachings to life.
For
more information, please refer to the program schedule, read about our activities in
the Centre Newsletter, or contact the Centre.
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