Shambhala Training:

Overview | ST Path @ MSC | Program Details | Currently...

Below is a brief explanation of the Shambhala Teachings and how they are practiced and studied at our Center.

What is Shambhala Training?

Shambhala Training is the path of study and practice of Shambhala warriorship—the tradition of human bravery, not being afraid of who you are. This path shows how to take the challenges of daily life in our modern society as opportunities for contemplative practice. Shambhala Training is inspired by the ancient legend of the Kingdom of Shambhala, said to be an enlightened society based on gentle and fearless action.

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

Meditation

The practice of mindfulness-awareness meditation taught in Shambhala Training programs enables us to look precisely at our state of mind without trying to alter it. This practice cultivates openness toward ourselves and our environment, moment by moment. When we practice openness our lives can be a journey of wakeful and genuine existence.

The Shambhala teachings recognize that the 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. The Shambhala teachings recognize, however, that this wisdom arises only when the grasping and confusion of ego is stilled through continuous commitment to a contemplative discipline.

Weekend Programs

The Shambhala Training path of study and practice begins with a series of weekend levels, known as the Heart of Warriorship—which provides the tools you need to establish a personal discipline of meditation practice and to discover the basic principles of warriorship in your daily life. The principles you can study in the Heart of Warriorship are:

Level One: The Art of Being Human
Experiencing the world as sacred and seeing basic goodness as your birthright.

Level Two: Birth of the Warrior
Recognizing your habitual patterns and discovering fearlessness.

Level Three: Warrior in the World
Developing confidence in all aspects of your daily life.

Level Four: Awakened Heart
Allowing your heart and intuition to open so that you communicate fully with the world.

Level Five: Open Sky
Trusting who you are and genuinely caring for others.

Following this program, one may take part in the Sacred Path of the Warrior. This is a series consisting of six weekend levels followed by a two-week residential program called Warrior Assembly. Each Shambhala Training program offers meditation instruction, talks on the Shambhala teachings, group discussions and individual interviews.

Click here for more detailed descriptions of these programs.

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