OVERVIEW OF SHAMBHALA TRAINING

The Shambhala Tradition

The path of Shambhala is here to awaken us to the potential of our

lives. It teaches us how to live meaningfully and vigorously, with joy.

Its ancient but practical wisdom allows us to discover unconditional

human confidence. Through the practice of meditation, we discover

that goodness, strength, and wisdom are inherent in our own mind and

being. Having gained this insight, we are able to maneuver through

life with courage, intelligence, and compassion. Daily life becomes

an opportunity to further cultivate these qualities. In Shambhala this

journey is exemplified by the tiger, lion, garuda, and dragon—four

animals that each reveal to us a specific wisdom. As we fully realize

these enlightened qualities, we are able to rouse them for a world that

desperately needs this knowledge and experience. I look forward to

working with you as we make this journey together. 

Throughout history, people have aspired to create societies

that express the dignity of human existence within a wise,

flourishing culture. This is the vision of Shambhala—a

legendary enlightened society. The first king of Shambhala

is said to have received teachings directly from the Buddha;

teachings on the inseparability of spirituality and everyday life.

The Tibetan meditation master, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

carried this tradition into the modern world. He writes,

“The Shambhala teachings are founded on the

premise that there is basic human wisdom that can

help to solve the world’s problems. This wisdom

does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor

does it come only from the West or the East. Rather

it is a tradition of human warriorship that has

existed in many cultures at many times throughout

history.”

Warriorship in the Shambhala tradition, is a path of bravery,

gentleness and genuineness. At the heart of the Shambhala

warrior tradition is the view that a brilliant life is accessible

to everyone. Contemplative practices bring a natural sense of

fearlessness and humor into our ordinary lives.

The Way of Shambhala

The Way of Shambhala offers a structured path of meditation and a

complete introduction to the foundations of Shambhala Buddhism.

Suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators, and open to

people of any spiritual tradition, this series of weekends and classes

provide a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice,

wisdom teachings, and physical practices rooted in the ancient traditions

of Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. Students will also be introduced to

contemplative disciplines that make the journey experiential—touching

our emotions, our intelligence, our creativity, and the practical details of

daily life in modern society. The programs are presented by experienced

Shambhala teachers under the guidance of the Shambhala lineage-holder,

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

The Way of Shambhala is a sequential series of weekends and weeknight

classes. Students may choose to participate in the weekends exclusively,

or some of the weeknight courses (without doing the weekends). Please

speak with a teacher to clarify how this path could work best for your

personal schedule.

I Meditation in Everyday Life Series

The Way of Shambhala begins with the Shambala Training Level I weekend, “The

Art of Being Human”, and continues with a six week course “Meditation in Everyday

Life”. In Shambhala Training Level I, students are introduced to basic goodness and

the practice of meditation in a supportive, social environment. The weekend includes

meditation practice, discussion, and individual meetings with meditation instructors.

The Meditation in Everyday Life course which follows the weekend, provides an

opportunity to deepen the experience and understanding of meditation, with practical

suggestions for establishing a sitting practice in the midst of our speedy lives. Each

evening class allows for open discussion of the challenges that students face in their

practice.

Shambhala Training Level I weekend: “The Art of Being Human”

Pre-requisite: none

“Meditation in Everyday Life” course

Pre-requisite: Shambhala meditation instruction

II Tiger Series

As we continue with the Tiger series, meditation experience is deepened through

the cultivation of contentment and simplicity. We explore the foundational views of

the hinayana Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. Through

understanding the painful conditions and emotions that keep us trapped in habitual

patterns, we can open to our inherent goodness and express the qualities of the Tiger:

gentleness, appreciation and steadiness.

Shambhala Training Level II weekend: Birth of the Warrior

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level I

Tiger class

Pre-requisite: Shambhala meditation instruction.

III Lion Series

This series expands the meditation experience by cultivating the noble-heart of the

mahayana teachings, opening the path to the virtue and celebration of compassion.

Through practical methods, we further develop kindness toward ourselves and

others. We emphasize the joy and invigoration that comes from discipline. The Lion

represents the qualities of cheerfulness, health, and freedom from doubt.

Shambhala Training Level III weekend: Warrior in the World

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level II

Lion class

Pre-requisite: Shambhala meditation instruction

IV Garuda Series

The Garuda series mixes meditation with the vastness of space beyond concept.

Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness and clear seeing, the

meditation opens to the groundlessness, uncertainty and creativity of the world as it

is. By exploring the entrapping emotions of hope and fear, we learn to soar fearlessly

like the mythical bird known as the Garuda.

Shambhala Training Level IV weekend: Awakened Heart

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level III

Garuda class

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level IV and Lion class

V Dragon series

The Dragon series looks at the qualities of a master warrior whose vastness of

mind and skills in enriching the world are fully manifested. Here the practitioner is

introduced to the vajrayana teachings of Buddhism, which reveal the sacredness of

the phenomenal world. Students will receive essential instructions for transforming

confused emotions and situations into wisdom as they arise. The master warrior is no

longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, but with tremendous forward vision and

strength, the Dragon playfully includes everything as part of the path. In this way, the

warrior is able to skillfully benefi t the world.

Shambhala Training Level V weekend: Open Sky

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level IV

Dragon Class

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level V and Garuda class

VI Rigden Weekend

The Way of Shambhala will culminate in the “Rigden Weekend”. The Rigden is

a representation of our basic enlightened nature and embodies the principle of

unconditional bravery. Historically, rigdens were enlightened rulers —those who could

“rule their world” based on their unwavering experience of basic goodness. This

weekend includes a formal transmission of windhorse practice, and study of the Six

Ways of Ruling.

Rigden Weekend

Pre-requisite: Tiger, Lion, Garuda and Dragon series, or, completion of the Sacred

Path program and some introductory Buddhist classes.

The Sacred Path

The Sacred Path program introduces further warriorship practices that extend the basic meditation training. These practices are based on a societal vision and aspiration to help the world. This level of training cultivates one's dignity and natural gifts that are able to widen one's sphere of compassionate and practical influence. During a series of visionary experiences that took place between 1976 and 1980, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote down the Shambhala texts. The Sacred Path is based on these texts and on the extensive commentaries Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave on these teachings and on how to practice them in modern times.

Levels I-V are the prerequisite for the Sacred Path weekends.

Great Eastern Sun
This weekend program teaches how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists; an introduction to membership in Shambhala—a living context for building a sane society.

Windhorse
One studies the text that gives the instruction for “raising windhorse,” which opens the heart and refreshes one's confidence. The practice is a way to bring about skillful and heartfelt social engagement, enabling the warrior to go forward in the midst of whatever challenges occur.

Drala
Through exploring the depth of perception, one engages the elemental and magical strength inherent in the world. The principle of drala refers to the sacred energy and power that exists when we step beyond aggression.

Meek
“The four dignities” are introduced as a path and a process, which describe a warrior's maturing and widening sphere of benevolent engagement in the world. The training in the dignities allows one to maintain awareness and delight at each stage. Meek is a study of the grounded, humble and gentle beginning stages of a warrior's journey. Here one trains to overcome arrogance—the primary obstacle to learning.

Perky
As the second of the four dignities, this level focuses on cultivating sharp, vibrant and uplifted energy through natural discipline. Overcoming the trap of doubt, the warrior of perky is able to accomplish his or her activities with a sense of nobility and ease.

Outrageous and Inscrutable
These fruitional dignities refer to the extraordinary skill of a practiced warrior. No longer afraid of making mistakes, the unconventional and visionary perspective of the outrageous warrior combines with the skill of spontaneous inscrutability to create benefit for others on a large scale.

Golden Key
This program is based on a Shambhala text that works with our relationship to the “material world” and our sense perceptions. It teaches the practice of enriching presence—the ability to instantly sense the inner wealth within oneself, phenomena, and the natural world.

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: