For over 40 years, the Chicago Shambhala Meditation Center has offered Chicagoans the opportunity to work with their minds and hearts through mindfulness meditation. Our mission is to inspire and awaken compassionate society through personal and collective transformation.
We offer public meditation classes, mindfulness training workshops, and a wide range of teachings from the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. In addition to our Featured Programs below, we offer weekly opportunities for free public meditation.
Featured Programs
Sexual Harm, Trauma and the Healing Journey
January 11th—February 29th
A series of talks to promote understanding of sexual trauma and healing in our community. Open to all; Shambhala Educators are especially encouraged to attend. Continue »
The Joy of Letting Go with Ani Pema Chodron
February 2nd—March 8th
A repeat viewing of a pre-recorded online video course from Shambhala Publications, “The Joy of Letting Go,” is led by Acharya Pema Chodron, beloved Shambhala teacher, author, and Buddhist nun. Release fear, dissolve expectations, and embrace an open-hea Continue »
Sexual Harm, Trauma and Healing
February 29th
The third in a series of talks to promote understanding of sexual trauma and healing in our community. Open to all; Shambhala Educators are especially encouraged to attend. Continue »
Shambhala Day 2020 Recorded Address
March 1st
The recorded worldwide Shambhala roll call and broadcast from Shambhala Day (February 24, 2020) will be replayed during the discussion period this Sunday. Continue »
Meridian Touch Japanese Qigong
with Jennifer Ohara
March 2nd—March 30th
Based on ancient Qigong exercises and Japanese Shiatsu exercises, Meridian Touch Japanese Qigong is a restorative series of movements that anyone can do. Continue »
Governing Council Meeting
March 5th
Open to all Shambhala Chicago community members. Learn about center operations, governance, and the leadership path. At this meeting we will focus on the Center's Statement Addressing Harm. Continue »
Learn to Meditate
with Alice Dan
March 7th
Ideal for beginners as well as students who want to work on stabilizing their meditation, this half day program gives you the essential techniques and reasons for meditation practice in everyday life. Continue »
Milarepa Day
March 7th
This day celebrates the enlightenment and life example of Milarepa. The celebration is a guru yoga practice, which includes chanting the Milarepa sadhana and reading songs of the lineage fathers in "The Rain of Wisdom." Continue »
Mahayana Retreat Day: The Mind is Workable
with Shastri David Stone & Shastri Marita McLaughlin
March 8th
Continuing our study of classic Buddhist teachings, we enter the Mahayana path, using the Mind Training slogans to awaken compassion and wisdom. Continue »
Performative Arts: Mudra Space Awareness
with Shastri David Stone
March 14th
The workshop provides an introduction to Mudra Space Awareness, which is an intensive, physical method for synchronizing body and mind. When body and mind are synchronized, we are present and each mudra, i.e. gesture, we make is real and thorough. Continue »
Performative Arts: Meditation in Acting
March 14th
In this workshop, taught by Uchè Elueze, we'll explore meditation in action.Through acting exercises and organic dialogue, this workshop will focus on the body and the use of physical language to tell a story on stage. Continue »
When Bad Lands: How Not to Numb Out, Freak Out, or Bottom Out—Buddhist Style
with Alan Anderson
March 15th
In this half-day program, Alan Anderson will guide us in rewiring our approach to meditation practice in order to develop the strength and creativity we need to become fearless, self-aware individuals who embrace the hard joy of overcoming self-delusion. Continue »
