Shambhala Training:

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

This is an explanation of how students embark upon and deepen their practice and study of the Shambhala Teachings here at our Center.

Initial Meditation Instruction

A good way to embark on the Buddhist path at this Center is to receive the initial meditation instruction. This is offered free every Tuesday at 7pm or Saturday mornings at 9am. If these times don't work for you, contact Marcia Sullivan at 414-963-0732.

Meditation instructors are senior meditation students involved in regular, ongoing practice and study.

Working with a Meditation Instructor

After receiving meditation instruction, you can continue to work with the teacher who gave you the initial instruction or contact Marcia about finding a suitable "MI." Having someone you can talk to about your meditation is an important part of the path. An MI can help you understand how to work with issues as they come up in your practice.

Café Shambhala

Every Saturday at 9am, Café Shambhala provides a good introduction to the Shambhala Teachings, as well as discussions on general topics for those who are interested in a contemplative approach.

Weekend programs

Shambhala Training is offered through a series of weekend levels called "The Heart of Warriorship" (see lower left column for description). Once you have completed these levels, you can choose to delve further into the Shambhala Teachings by taking the Sacred Path of the Warrior (aka "The Graduate Levels"). This is another set of teachings given over the course of six weekend intensives. IMPORTANT: Between the Heart of Warriorship Levels and the Graduate Levels, one should take the "Bridge Level to the Sacred Path." This one-weekend program bridges the gap between the view and practice of those first levels and that of the Graduate program.

Click here for detailed descriptions of these programs.

Please note that there are fees ranging from $85Ð$135 for each weekend. However, no one will ever be turned away due to inability to pay. Many students are able to offset the cost through work study or other arrangements. Please contact Frank (414-278-8465) or Vera (262-694-0790) for details.

Most weekend programs begin on Friday night and continue all day Saturday and Sunday starting at 9am. Schedules vary. Contact Vera or Frank to confirm the schedule for a weekend. More importantly, please let them know if you have any schedule conflicts well before the weekend. As much as possible, they will try to accommodate you.

Becoming a Staff Member

Staffing is a practice which allows you to learn some of the basic forms and rituals at our Center. It also deepens your own experiences through working with others. Staffing is open only to Center members. To become a member, contact Dawn Trimmel at 414-482-4568.

Advanced Practice and Study

If you wish to dive into further practice there are a number of options which you can ask your MI about. The Midwest Shambhala Retreat Center (MSRC) near Sheboygan offers a peaceful, secluded place to engage in small, guided group retreats, as well as solitary retreats. If youÕd like to travel further, there are retreat centers in Vermont, Colorado and Canada offering month-long group retreats ("dathüns") and other Shambhala Training programs.

If you would like to get into advanced study, there is Warrior Assembly, a 2-week residential program of intensive practice and study lead by a senior teacher of our community. Warrior Assembly is open to those who have completed the Graduate Levels. Having completed Warrior Assembly, you would then be eligible to take part in Kalapa Assembly and enter a greater level of commitment to this path. Keep in mind that the Warrior and Kalapa Assemblies involve an application process requiring your MI's recommendation, completion of the weekend programs, and a retreat requirement.

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