LEARN TO MEDITATE

There are several ways to get started with meditation at the Center:

Open Meditation

We have three open meditation sessions each week, during which a meditation instructor is on duty and can give you basic mediation instruction.  Simply arrive during any of the following sessions and ask for meditation instruction.

Sunday mornings 9:30 to 12:00

Monday evenings 7:00 to 8:30 (see Fresh Start Mondays for more info)

Wednesday evenings 7:00 to 8:00

Introduction to Meditation class

We also offer an Introduction to Meditation class every month.  This class discusses the basics of meditation in a three-hour classroom setting.  Visit our Programs page to find the next Introduction to Meditation class scheduled.

Shambhala Training: Level One

For those looking to begin a more intensive learning process, we offer the Shambhala Training path, which is a progressive sequence of meditation classes that guides the learner from beginning through more advanced meditation techniques and teachings.  The first level of Shambhala Training is called "The Art of Being Human," and is a 2-day weekend course.  See our Programs page for the next Level One offering.

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"On Meditation:
In the fundamental sense, Buddhist meditation does not involve meditating on anything. You simply arouse your sense of wakefulness and hold an excellent posture. You hold up your head and shoulders and sit cross-legged. Then very simply, you relate to the basic notion of body, speech and mind, and you focus your awareness in some way, usually using the breath. You are breathing out and in, and you just experience that breathing very naturally. Your breath is not considered either holy or evil; it is just breath.”

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Shrine Room Etiquette

People new to meditation often wonder what the etiquette is for a shrine room. The general rule is to show basic respect for the environment, as well as having consideration for the other practitioners. Some more specific guidelines are included below:

• Please leave your shoes in the coat room as you enter the Center. Be sure to bring any valuables inside with you, however.

• Turn cell phones off.

• As a show of respect, you will see others bowing toward the shrine as they enter and leave the room.

• Talking is generally allowed before and after meditation. Once the candles have been lit on the shrine, talking wanes and folks settle on their meditation cushions.

• We begin our meditation sessions with a ringing of the gong and chants (chant books are provided). If you arrive late and the chants are still going on, please just wait outside the shrine room until the chants are completed. For late           arrivers, enter quietly and settle on any available cushion. If you bring your own cushion, set it up behind other meditators to minimize any disturbance. 

• Participating in the chants is optional. If you don't wish to chant, just sit and begin your meditation.

• Water bottles (ie, containers with lids that can be closed to prevent spillage are the best) are allowed in the shrine room.

• Rest rooms are just around the corner from the shrine room. If possible, please wait until walking meditation to use the rest rooms.

• If you are coming for a teaching or other event that follows a scheduled meditation, please wait outside until the meditation is over. This will minimize the disturbance for the practitioners.

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org

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Shambhala Center of Minneapolis
2931 Grand Street NE, Minneapolis,  MN 55418
Tel. (612) 331 7737    Email: