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 »
Meridian Touch Japanese Qigong
with Jennifer Ohara
February 3rd—February 24th
Based on ancient Qigong exercises and Japanese Shiatsu exercises, Meridian Touch Japanese Qigong is a restorative series of movements that anyone can do. Continue »
New Meditators Group
February 21st
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 »
Excoriating the Demons of Whiteness
February 21st
Lama Justin, author of Modern Tantric Buddhism, will offer teachings to aid us to take responsibility for our unconscious bias, free us from habitual tendencies and understand their impact on others. Continue »
Shambhala Day 2020
February 24th
Please join us as we celebrate Shambhala Day and begin The Year of the Iron Mouse! All are warmly welcome. 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 »
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 »
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 »
