Welcome to Shambhala (original) (raw)
“Shambhala is a path of awakening through meditation. And it’s awakening, first, to our own basic goodness.”
Shambhala Member, Maryland, USA
What Shambhala Is
We are a global community of meditators who believe that human beings are basically good.
Shambhala brings together people from all walks of life to learn to be kind to ourselves and others. We are committed to creating a society that brings out the best in each of us.
We recognize and believe that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness. This nature can be brought into daily life so that it radiates out to family, friends, community, and society, and from this, we can work together to create compassionate, sustainable, and just human societies. We call this “creating enlightened society.”
“The Shambhala path is to be in touch with who you are at each moment—accepting who you are.”
Shambhala Member, Arnhem, Netherlands
Our Community
Find Shambhala Near You
Shambhala has more than 150 Centres and Groups, many retreat centres, various online communities, and thousands of individual members and friends of Shambhala, in cities, towns, and rural settings in over 30 different countries.
In addition to meditation, study, and contemplative practices, Shambhala Centres and Groups offer teachings in the arts, and host a range of cultural and social activities that cultivate wakefulness and creativity. Across diverse cultures and expressions, the heart of Shambhala is universal.
“We are a place where, imperfect, all of us can come and see our basic goodness in the mirror of each other.”
Shambhala Member, Illinois, USA
Practice With Us
Second Sunday Maitri Bhavana
We invite you to join the global Shambhala community as we come together to practice for the well-being of others on the second Sunday of each month. Maitri Bhavana is a practice that is done for the benefit of the seriously ill, or for major global turmoil and disasters. Please visit the Shambhala Sunday Gatherings homepage for more information and to register.
If you would like to add the name of someone who is seriously ill to the Maitri Bhavana list so people can practice for their well-being, please click here. You can also add the name of a current world event where there is turmoil, strife, and disaster, and we will practice for those affected.
Upcoming Online Courses
Harm and Community Care
Promoting Community Care in Shambhala
The past years have illuminated deep challenges within the Shambhala community. Please learn more about our communal efforts to address harm and the roots of harm in Shambhala.
Community Blog
Non-Attachment in Buddhism: Exploring the Buddhist Teachings on Attachment
September 16, 2024
When I started learning about the Buddha’s teachings, I got stuck on the idea of non-attachment in Buddhism. I was especially struck by two ideas central to the Buddhist teachings on attachment, both of which I initially resisted: Over time, I’ve come to find some peace with non-attachment in Buddhism, […]
Meditation for Self-Love: Teachings, Videos, and Guided Meditation Script
August 9, 2024
Self-love—to feel, honor, and appreciate our own goodness—is among the most beautiful and powerful things there is. We are always worthy of self-love, but because of the difficulties of life, we may struggle to find it. Fortunately, meditation can help. In this article, we will explore self-love meditation. We will […]
Compassion vs. Empathy: Understanding the Difference Between Empathy and Compassion
July 5, 2024
The terms “empathy” and “compassion” are often used interchangeably, but from a Buddhist perspective ultimately they are very different. In this article, we’ll explore compassion and empathy, the place and value of each, and the core differences between compassion vs. empathy. Let’s start by looking at empathy and compassion individually, […]
How to Start Meditating Daily
May 27, 2024
The benefits of meditation are widely touted these days. You may have tried it out yourself, or had it recommended to you by a friend, a healthcare professional, or even a podcast. But what’s the best way to start–and more importantly, maintain–a meditation practice in your daily life? In this […]
Meditation and the Amygdala: Mediating Emotions in the Brain
April 29, 2024
How does meditation affect the amygdala? Much has been written about meditation and the amygdala, but almost all of it was written from the perspective of 20th century understanding of the brain. The advent of the 21st century has been accompanied by a new understanding of how the brain works […]
Image Credits: Barbara Batt, Corey Ruffner, Dechen Chöling, Karmê Chöling.