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 Heart of Warriorship

Levels I-V of the Heart of Warriorship provide a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice, emphasizing the development of genuine confidence, humor, and personal dignity within the complexity of daily life. These weekend workshops are recommended for new and experienced meditators, as well as for those looking to enrich their existing spiritual tradition.

These five workshops include meditation training and practice, talks by senior instructors, personal interviews and group discussions.

Level I: The Art of Being Human
Discovering basic goodness in the world and ourselves.

Level II: Birth of the Warrior
Cultivating the willingness to observe our cocoon of habitual fear and defense mechanisms.

Level III: Warrior in the World
Developing the bravery to step outside our cocoons.

Level IV: Awakened Heart
Opening to increased awareness and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is.

Level V: Open Sky
Sharpening one’s awareness, one finds the open clear sky of mind—a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy. Trusting our nature enough to let go into the present moment.

To find the schedule of upcoming levels, go to our Programs page.

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: