Meditation

In Shambhala, mindfulness-awareness meditation is the foundation of everything we do. Originating from Shakyamuni Buddha about 2,600 years ago, this practice is the art of resting the mind, opening the heart, and appreciating what it is to be fully human.

"Meditation is looking at our own backyard, you could say, looking at what we really have and discovering the richness that already exists."

—Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

For a range of meditation-related resources, including multimedia teachings, go to the Learn to Meditate entry on our blog.

 ABOUT MEDITATION INSTRUCTION

Perhaps the Kootenay Shambhala Centre's most valuable offering, meditation instruction is available to anyone, free of charge. We offer introductory instruction to newcomers and follow-up instruction to other practitioners on Monday evenings, as part of our Open House program, and at other times by appointment. We encourage anyone interested in looking closely at her/his "own backyard" to work regularly with a meditation instructor.

Depending on a student's interest and experience, meditation instruction might include:

• Introducing the practice of meditation

Introductory meditation instruction presents the basic meditation practice taught in the Shambhala community. This practice combines a simple three-part technique and a particular view or attitude.

• Clarifying the view of meditation

In our tradition, meditation instruction involves more than the communication of a technique; it is, at heart, about the transmission of the revolutionary view that unconditional wisdom and compassion are the very ground of our being, and that by learning to relax more and more fully, we allow this fundamental nature to flower.

• Instruction on working with obstacles to meditation

Common obstacles to meditation include disheartenment, resistance, procrastination, discursiveness and spacing out. The obstacles are well documented in the Shambhala Buddhist teachings—and so are their antidotes.

• Guidance on the path of practice and study

Shambhala presents many opportunities for students to deepen their practice and study—public meditation sessions, weeknight classes, weekend programs, retreats and seminaries, to name a few. A meditation instructor can help you decide what to do next and when to do it.

• Guidance on joining meditation and daily life

The workaday world is where the rubber meets the road. Getting the tools to meet life's ups and downs with a strong and pliable mind and an open heart is another potential benefit of working with a meditation instructor.

  Download Meditation Instruction flyer (PDF)

 MEDITATION INSTRUCTORS

Shambhala meditation instructors are senior Shambhala Buddhist practitioners specially trained and authorized to help people deepen and expand their conceptual and experiential understanding of meditation (see above). We encourage anyone interested in this journey to establish a working relationship with the meditation instructor of her/his choice and keep working with the instructor for as long as doing so feels beneficial.

Kootenay Shambhala Centre meditation instructors currently available are listed below. For help connecting with an instructor, contact Tim Albert, Meditation Instruction Coordinator, at 250-357-2497 or eldoradocreek@netidea.com.

Sally Albert • eldoradocreek@netidea.com

Co-Director of Practice & Education and Way of Shambhala Resident Director

Blog posts tagged Sally Albert

Tim Albert • eldoradocreek@netidea.com

Meditation Instruction Coordinator

Lynn Dragone • nalandalynn@yahoo.com

Centre Director, Contemplative Arts Coordinator, and Children's Programming Coordinator

Blog posts tagged Lynn Dragone

Brian McEwen • nelsonbuddha@gmail.com

Russell Rodgers • nelsonbuddha@gmail.com

Co-Director of Practice & Education, Vajrayana Practice & Study Coordinator, and Eco-Dharma Coordinator

Blog posts tagged Russell Rodgers

Marilyn Thurrott • marilyn@mcyork.com

Rusung of the Dorje Kasung

Deryk Wenaus • nelsonbuddha@gmail.com

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org

Read more about meditation and buddhism at shambhalatimes.org

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Kootenay Shambhala Meditation Centre
3rd Floor - 444 Baker Street, PO Box 136, Nelson,  BC V1L 5P7
Tel. 250-352-5560    Email: