SP2016 The Way of Shambhala

THE WAY OF SHAMBHALA
Shambhala Training is a series of contemplative workshops, suited for both beginning and experienced meditators. The simple and profound technique of mindfulness and awareness is the basis of a secular path of meditation, which can benefit people of any spiritual tradition and way of life. Shambhala Training is the study and practice of Shambhala warriorship, the tradition of human bravery and leadership. This path shows how to take the challenges of daily life into our modern society as opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action.

HEART OF WARRIORSHIP WEEKEND RETREATS
The Way of Shambhala program offers a beginner series of five levels of Heart of Warriorship weekends and follow up weeknight classes (see class listings for descriptions), that provide a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice.

All Way of Shambhala weekend programs are offered Friday 7:00pm (registration), 7:30pm (opening talk), Saturday and Sunday, 8:30am-6:00pm. Register online at MaineShambhala.org.

THE ART OF BEING HUMAN: LEVEL I
We will learn to experience the world as sacred and see basic goodness as our birthright. Through the practice of meditation, we glimpse unconditional basic goodness as the ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings. This Friday Night Talk will be open to the public.
Brunswick: January 8-10, 2016 with Mary Lang
FMI:see MaineShambhala.org or contact Liz Korabek-Emerson at [email protected]

This introductory weekend intensive explores and deepens the basic technique of mindfulness meditation. By settling our minds we begin to see the magic of the world beyond our habitual filters. We experience the power and fulfillment of resting in the present.

In addition to meditation practice, each weekend includes talks by one or more of our senior instructors, one-on-one and group meditation instruction and discussions, and opportunities to socialize and make new friends with fellow participants.

Practice sitting and walking meditation and learn the basic principles of the Shambhala path of warriorship. Rediscover the good energy present in all of our experience. This basic goodness, innate to the way things are, is our own inborn, unconditional nature.
Recommended Text: Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

BIRTH OF THE WARRIOR: LEVEL II
Looking directly at our habitual patterns of thought, emotions and gestures, we can arouse fearlessness and make more direct contact with basic goodness.
Prerequisite: The Art of Being Human
Brunswick: March 4-6 2016 with Angela Lutzenberger
FMI: see MaineShambhala.org or contact Joan Carney at [email protected]

Shambhala Training is a series of contemplative workshops, suited for both beginning and experienced meditators. The simple and profound technique of mindfulness and awareness is the basis of a secular path of meditation, which can benefit people of any spiritual tradition. Shambhala Training is the study and practice of Shambhala warriorship, the tradition of human bravery and leadership. This path shows how to take the challenges of daily life in our modern society as opportunities for contemplative practice and social action.

Having tasted the experience of basic goodness through Level I, we long to move forward. Deepening our meditation practice in Shambhala Training Level II allows us to observe how we personally create a cocoon of habits to mask our fear. These habits trap us and prevent us from experiencing the full potential of our lives. Through meditation, we begin to appreciate that there is no fundamental obstacle to experiencing basic goodness.

Intensify the discipline of meditation practice, which enables us to work with the obstacles that arise as meditation practice develops. Explore how habitual ways of thinking and experiencing obscure the raw brilliance of the world we live in and our own genuineness and tenderness. Moving forward out of these habitual patterns, we learn to work with the fear that arises.
Recommended Text: Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

Pre-requisite: Shambhala Training Level One

 

WARRIOR IN THE WORLD; LEVEL III
Through daring and gentleness we open to a clear perception of the world and its feedback.
Prerequisite: Birth of the Warrior
Brunswick: April 29-May 1, 2016 with
FMI: see MaineShambhala.org or contact Kudra MacCulliehan at [email protected]

Shambhala Training is a path to develop the dignity of being human, using meditation as a means to develop fearlessness, confidence, openness, and gentleness toward ourselves and toward our world. The second in a series of trainings, Level Two includes instruction on meditation, talks by the director, individual meetings with teachers, discussions with other participants, and a concluding reception.

The Way of Shambhala curriculum was designed by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche based on the Shambhala Teachings of his father, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The Shambhala Path emphasizes the development of genuineness, confidence, good humor, and personal human dignity.

Level III is the part of our path that draws upon our newfound strength and insight to help us negotiate the larger world of relationships, work, and life in general. Everyday choices become clearer as we learn to step out of our conditioning and open to the freshness of each new moment. We find ourselves responding creatively to even the most difficult situations as we discover a range and depth of inner capacities we never knew we had.
Bring the mindfulness and awareness of meditation practice into everyday life. Alive to our sense perceptions, we can venture into the world with a vulnerability that is fearless, gentle, and awake.
Recommended Text: Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

RIGDEN WEEKEND: UNCONDITIONAL CONFIDENCE
Prerequisites: Way of Shambhala: Open Sky-Level V
Brunswick: February 26-28
FMI: see MaineShambhala.org or contact Weade Clarke at [email protected]

The Way of Shambhala I culminates in the Rigden Weekend. The contentment, joy, fearlessness, and wisdom of the Way of Shambhala culminate in unconditional confidence. Confidence that comes from genuineness and wakefulness instead of aggression.

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.

With the great problems now facing human society, we need to find simple ways to bring compassionate and strong leadership to the world.

This weekend emphasizes genuine confidence and steadfastness in facing the world’s challenges and includes a formal transmission of windhorse practice. The Rigden Weekend also includes the opportunity to take the Shambhala Vow and receive a Shambhala Name. The Shambhala Vow is an acknowledgement and proclamation that basic goodness is the essential nature of humanity.

 

SACRED PATH WEEKEND RETREATS
For those who want to continue the Shambhala Warriorship Training, a more advanced series of Sacred Path weekends is available.

The Sacred Path program continues to deal with bringing the principles of warriorship and the practice of mindfulness-awareness into daily life. In particular, it is designed to nurture the student’s natural ability to experience the world as sacred and his or her aspiration to create an enlightened society.

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.
Prerequisite: Completion of the Heart of Warriorship Series
Brunswick: January 16-17
FMI: See MaineShambhala.org or contact Barbara Egan at [email protected]
The vision of the Great Eastern Sun is the entrance into sacred world and the practice of creating an uplifted and sane society. This program teaches one how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists.
This level is the introduction to the Sacred Path program, which continues to bring the principles of warriorship and the practice of mindfulness-awareness into daily life. In particular, it is designed to nurture the student’s natural ability to experience the world as sacred and his or her aspiration to create an enlightened society.

WINDHORSE
Study the practice of raising windhorse, which opens the heart and refreshes one’s confidence. a way to bring about skillful and heartfelt social engagement.
Prerequisite: Great Eastern Sun
Brunswick: May 13-15
FMI: See MaineShambhala.org or contact Brenda Thompson at [email protected]

Participants study the Vidyadhara’s terma text, The Letter of the Black Ashe, which gives the instruction for “raising windhorse.” The practice of windhorse opens the heart and refreshes one’s confidence. It 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.
Prerequisite: Windhorse
Brunswick: June 10-12
FMI: See MaineShambhala.org or contact Keely Anderson at [email protected]

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.