Overview of Shambhala Training

The Shambhala Tradition

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

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

The Shambhala Training is inspired by the ancient legend of the Kingdom of Shambhala, said to be a society which drew its gentle and fearless sense of social responsibility from the practice of meditation. The legend of the Kingdom of Shambhala has been a guiding vision for many centuries in Asian culture and has parallels in Western traditions. Shambhala represents the ideal of secular enlightenment, a view that all aspects of civilization -- family, commerce, education, science, the arts, religion -- can be permeated with a natural sense of sacredness.

The Shambhala Training path, or sequence of levels, is divided into two parts: The Heart of Warriorship (levels I - V), and The Sacred Path (levels Great Eastern Sun through Golden Key).

The Heart of Warriorship

Levels I-V 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 weekend workshops are recommended for new and experienced meditators, as well as for those looking to enrich their existing spiritual tradition.

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

Level I: The Art of Being Human
Discovering basic goodness in the world and ourselves.

Level II: Birth of the Warrior
Cultivating the willingness to observe our cocoon of habitual fear and defense mechanisms.

Level III: Warrior in the World
Developing the bravery to step outside our cocoons.

Level IV: Awakened Heart
Opening to increased awareness and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is.

Level V: Open Sky
Sharpening one's awareness, one finds the open clear sky of mind -- a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy. Trusting our nature enough to let go into the present moment.

The Sacred Path

The Sacred Path program introduces further warriorship practices 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. During a series of visionary experiences that took place between 1976 and 1980, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote down the Shambhala texts. The Sacred Path is based on these texts and on the extensive commentaries Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave on these teachings and on how to practice them in modern times.

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
This program introduces us to meditation practices that help us develop and "ride" our internal energy or "windhorse." The windhorse practice is a way to open our hearts and rouse inherent, unconditioned confidence, 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
This weekend begins our study of the "four dignities" of warriorship, 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
As the second of the four dignities, this level 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
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
This program is based on a Shambhala text that works with our relationship to our sense perceptions and the vividness of the phenomenal world. It teaches the practice of enriching presence -- the ability to intuitively sense the intangible richness that abides both in the natural world and in the artistic expressions of our culture.

Upon completion of the Golden Key program participants are eligible to attend Warriors' Assembly, which is a culmination of the Shambhala Training program. Students from all over the world gather at one of three land centers to deepen and strengthen their practice and join in a larger community of practitioners. Programs can be held at either Karme Choling in Vermont, Dechen Choling in France or Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado.

Schedule of Upcoming Programs

To view upcoming Shambhala Training levels being offered in Seattle, please visit our Programs page: Shambhala Training Programs.

To view levels being offered in the greater Northwest region, you can use the Shambhala International website (note however, that this information resource is still "under construction" and may be incomplete, so you'll also want to check the individual websites of nearby Shambhala centers, below): Shambhala Training Programs in the Northwest.

Here are links to nearby Shambhala centers (who also offer Shambhala Training levels):

Portland: http://portlandshambhala.org
Bellingham: www.bellinghamshambhala.org
Vancouver: www.shambhala.org/centers/vancouver
Victoria: www.shambhala.org/centers/victoria

Details

With the exception of Golden Key, the suggested donation to attend Level I through Outrageous and Inscrutable is currently $120. Repeating students may offer $65. No one is turned away due to lack of funds. A few programs in the Sacred Path series have additional fees for texts. Preregistration is required for all programs.

Participants are given advance information about additional costs prior to their attending the weekend program. Details about weekends do vary and you may direct your inquiries to Heather Crone (heathercrone@gmail.com) or Robin Willett (robinwillett@comcast.net).

Suggested Books

  
Ruling Your World, by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Shambhala Sacred Path of the Warrior, by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Great Eastern Sun, by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org

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Seattle Shambhala Center
Tel. 206-860-4060    Email: seattle@shambhala.org