Community: Shambhala Center Membership

The Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago welcomes your interest in membership.  We are an organization of people who share a commitment to meditation practice as the foundation for study and devotion to Buddhist and/or Shambhala teachings or any number of the dharma arts (i.e., Kyudo, Aikido, Ikebana, etc.).  If you have made a connection to our Center through your practice in any of these disciplines then your interest in supporting the Center as a member is well founded.  Becoming a member of the Shambhala community is an important stage on one’s path.  It acknowledges a strong connection to a community of fellow practitioners and allows the teachings to flourish in a supportive environment.

The Center offers a complete practice and study program for both the Shambhala and Buddhist paths.  Under the leadership of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and with the support of Shambhala International and larger practice centers, members can proceed as far as they wish. Formal and informal classes, training programs, and a variety of contemplative activities as well as the opportunity to relate to one or several qualified meditation instructors and course teachers on the local level, provide a rich flow of energy for our individual and sometimes lonely paths.

By joining the Shambhala Center you are part of a larger community of Shambhala International with over 100 other centers throughout the world.  Your financial support begins locally and extends to support the larger community as your sense of connection grows. In addition, members enjoy library and book store privileges at the Center, discounts on many programs, all mailings and notifications, membership pins, practice calendars and directories. 

Several Levels of support and membership are available:

· Friends of Shambhala contribute $25 or more a year in appreciation for the opportunities to practice and attend programs that are available to them.  They receive the newsletter and other mailings and have the opportunity to use the Center bookstore.

· General Members contribute $10 or more per month.  This can be an entrance level of commitment and an incentive for those who would like to begin, continue, and complete graded levels of classes in Shambhala Training and Shambhala Buddhism.  Members at this level receive all the benefits of membership including significant discounts on most programs.

· Participating Members contribute $30 to $60 or more a month.  Those who can contribute at this level provide the foundation for ongoing activity at the Center and throughout the Shambhala Mandala.

· Sustaining Members contribute $1000 or more per year.

If you are interested in joining, please fill out this form and mail it to the center (or drop it in the donation box on the wall near the front door).

Anyone who wishes to be a member and cannot afford any of these levels, can make special arrangements through the Membership Committee.  Volunteer opportunities are also available through the Committee; call 773-743-8147 and leave a message for someone to call you back.

Shambhala, Shambhala Meditation Center, and Shambhala Center are registered service marks of Shambhala International (Varjadhatu). Shambhala Training is a registered trademark of Shambhala/Nalanda Foundation.