NEWCOMERS




 

Have questions about Shambhala? You might find the answers below! If not, reach out to us at [email protected].


What does the word Shambhala mean?

Shambhala was brought to the West in the 1970s by Chőgyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master. Shambhala refers to a stream of ethical and spiritual teachings that flourished in Tibet alongside Buddhism. Chögyam Trungpa’s approach to meditation emphasized taking control of our lives while cultivating compassion for others. From the Shambhala perspective, meditation and compassionate action can create an enlightened society for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Shambhala International is the umbrella organization founded by Chőgyam Trungpa that encompasses a worldwide network of meditation centers.


What happens at Shambhala Chicago?

All of our activities promote and support an uplifted way of life through meditation and mindfulness practices. We host open meditation sessions, Buddhist and Shambhala classes, activities to support health and well-being, community events, and arts programs at our West Loop center. We also have numerous online offerings.


Do I have to be Buddhist to participate in your programs? Do I have to make a commitment to Buddhism or to your center?

Nope! You don’t have to be Buddhist or know anything about Buddhism to participate in our programs. Although we welcome membership, no long-term commitment to our center is required. People of all religions, or no religion, are welcome.


Are your programs expensive?

Shambala has a generosity policy which takes into account individual circumstances. Weekly meditation sessions are free, although donations allow us to remain open and offer these opportunities.


There are a lot of programs on your website– I don’t know where to begin.

Everyone has different starting points and personal goals when it comes to mindfulness and meditation. We offer a variety of ways to participate that address people’s interests and needs. Most people are introduced to Shambhala through our weekly meditation sessions or introductory classes. For programs and activities of interest to newcomers, check out our upcoming programs and our weekly meditation sessions.

MEDITATION

Meditation is at the heart of everything we do. We offer short Learn to Meditate classes and meditation sessions open to all and available several times a week, both in-person and online. These include sessions led by groups such as Heart of Recovery and Queer Dharma. All are welcome at these sessions, regardless of experience. We also offer Meditation Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed by Jon Kabat Zinn.

WAY OF SHAMBHALA, BUDDHIST, AND ARTS PROGRAMS

Way of Shambhala programs offer in-depth training that applies the profound insights of mindfulness-awareness practice to one’s own life. Introductory and more advanced Buddhist Studies courses offer the Buddha’s teachings as presented by the Tibetan Buddhist masters. Examples include the Four Noble Truths, The Meaning of Emptiness, and the Bodhisattva Path. The purpose of Shambhala’s Arts and Contemplative Activities is to explore the arts as a means to wake up to the living quality of our world. Arts programs include Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), haiku, contemplative photography, and fostering creativity. We also offer classes and activities that contribute to health and well-being such as qigong, Japanese forest bathing, and kyudo (Japanese archery). All are welcome regardless of artistic or meditation experience.

SOCIAL VISION

Shambhala’s social vision of creating enlightened society is manifested in activities such as our Collective Liberation Discussion Group.

COMMUNITY

Shambhala is a community of people interested in meditation and social vision from all walks of life. We offer numerous community gatherings, seasonal celebrations, social events, volunteer opportunities, and a chance to build authentic friendships.

SHAMBHALA ONLINE

Shambhalaonline is a virtual home for numerous Buddhist, Shambhala and other courses.