For over 40 years, the Shambhala Meditation Center has offered Chicagoans the opportunity to work with their minds and hearts through 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
"What the Buddha Taught" Study Group (WEST LOOP/SUN)
September 8th—November 3rd
Join your neighbors for an in-depth exploration of the early teachings of the Buddha, focusing on the central Buddhist concept of interdependence - how karma works. Continue »
What the Buddha Taught Study Group (ZOOM/Tue)
September 10th—November 5th
Join your neighbors for an in-depth exploration via Zoom (online platform) of the early teachings of the Buddha, focusing on the central Buddhist concept of interdependence - how karma works. Continue »
The Joy of Letting Go with Ani Pema Chodron
September 16th—November 30th
A new 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-hearted life. Continue »
"What the Buddha Taught" Study Group (WEST LOOP/Thu)
October 3rd—December 5th
Join your neighbors for an in-depth exploration of the early teachings of the Buddha, focusing on the central Buddhist concept of interdependence - how karma works. Continue »
Meridian Touch Japanese Qigong
with Jennifer O'Hara
October 7th—October 28th
Based on ancient Qigong exercises and Japanese Shiatsu exercises, Meridian Touch Japanese Qigong is a restorative series of movements that anyone can do. Continue »
The Compassionate Path of Embracing Vulnerability and Disappointment
with Acharya Melissa Moore
October 18th
This evening will experientially explore the potency of working with difficult emotions. How are we protecting our mind? How do we hold to the seed syllable of sanity we all innately possess? Continue »
Discovering the Potency of the Heart: An Introduction to Karuna Training
with Acharya Melissa Moore & Miriam Hall
October 19th
Karuna Training is a mindfulness and compassion-based training program that offers participants both ancient and modern methods,
tools, and practices for communicating genuinely and skillfully with others. Continue »
New Meditators Group
with Barbara Wolkowitz
October 25th
Looking to connect with other meditators? Join us for New Meditators Group on Friday evening. We will explore issues related to meditation practice, especially for people of all ages who are newer to meditation. Continue »
Exploring the Sadhana of Mahamudra
with Shastri Deborah Zarate
October 26th—October 27th
In this Buddhist program we will delve into teachings of The Sadhana of Mahamudra, a terma teaching of Trungpa Rinpoche. We will get a feeling for the structure of the sadhana and work with themes within it. This program introduces an important part of Continue »
Taoist Qigong Level 5
with Eva Wong
November 2nd—November 3rd
In Level 5 you'll continue on the path of internal and external strengthening by learning the 3 remaining Wudang Shan Five Animal Forms and completing the Immortals Guide and Red Phoenix. Continue »
Learn to Meditate
with Thomas Adducci
November 2nd
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 »
Shambhala Guide Training
with Shastri Marita McLaughlin & Shastri Deborah Zarate
November 7th—November 11th
Prepare yourself to support new practitioners on their paths. Continue »
