Open House
We offer an Open House every Tuesday night beginning at 7pm and concluding at approximately 9.30 pm. The evening is open to anyone with an interest in meditation. We practise sitting and walking meditation. A meditation instructor is available for newcomers or to help existing meditators refresh their practice.

On the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, we will have a reading and a talk. Visiting teachers come periodically to teach programmes and are also invited to give talks at Open House. On other Tuesday evenings, the talk will be replaced by a reading given by one of our members. All evenings concludes with tea, coffee and cookies, giving people a chance to ask questions and get to know each other.

Nyinthun-Day of Practice
This is a practice opportunity which can certainly enrich and deepen your practice. Nyinthuns are held regularly at the Centre and will either be a half day programme starting at 9.30 am and running until 12.30 pm, or a full day starting at 9.30 am and running until 4.30 pm. Sitting and walking meditation is practised, and this is suitable for newcomers as well as experienced practitioners.

Shambhala Training Meditation Programme
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche initiated what he called Shambhala Training, a secular (non-religious) path of meditation. Shambhala is the path of study and practice of warriorship, the path of bravery that is open to any human being, of not being afraid of who you are. This path shows you how to take the challenges of daily life as opportunities for contemplative practice.

Shambhala Training is inspired by the legend of the ancient Kingdom of Shambhala, which was said to be an enlightened society based on gentle and fearless action. A basic truth of the Shambhala teachings is that we all want to lead sane, dignified and confident lives, and that this is possible. If we look directly at our own experience, we can discover a continuity of wakefulness underlying all the changing conditions. This wholesome, wakeful presence enables us to experience our lives fully and directly. In Shambhala Training, this is referred to as "basic goodness." Rinpoche's book, "Shambhala, The Sacred Path of the Warrior" is the core text for students of Shambhala Training.

The experience of well-being is one that we all seek constantly, yet still find elusive. Its qualities of openness and humor are so familiar, but the more we look for them the more distant they seem to become. Why should something so ordinary be so difficult to find? One reason this experience seems so fleeting is that as soon as we try to capture it we enter into a struggle. The struggle creates frustration and depression. We may even begin to wonder whether life is worthwhile at all. Actually, well-being is not discovered through any kind of search. It is already present in our lives and needs only be exposed, not acquired. What is needed is not another game plan but access to the well-being that is already ours. Shambhala Training reawakens the natural intelligence that we already possess and allows us to regain delight in the rich, simple process of being alive. Meditation practice returns mind and body to their natural, dignified state. Instead of struggling against a manufactured version of ourselves, we can rediscover the undiluted confidence that is our basic nature.

The programme consists of meditation practice, talks by the programme director, personal interviews, and discussions with other participants. It progresses through five levels, each providing a foundation of practice and experience for the next. Level 1 takes place over one full weekend with a talk on Friday night. The following levels have varied formats but all are designed to clarify and deepen the original experience that is glimpsed in Level 1. For further information please call Shelley Cowley - Shambhala Training Co-ordinator on 620-8275.

The Heart of Warriorship

This consists of five weekend courses. Levels 1 to 5 provide a strong foundation in mindfulness-awareness meditation practice, emphasizing the development of genuine confidence, humour and personal dignity within the complexity of daily life. The 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.

For more information, go to: www.shambhala.org/shambhala-training

Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies

The Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies consists of two years of part time practice and study. It is structured in a combination of evening classes of held over 5 week periods, one day seminars and weekend seminars, divided into 4 cycles. It is suitable for new and experienced students. Students may enter the School at any point in the four cycles, and are is free to take as few or as many of the offerings as desired. Completion of all four cycles is one of the main requirements for application to Sutrayana Seminary, a month long residential course of intensive study and practice, for those who wish to continue with more advanced practice and study. Each cycle contains classes on each of the three "yanas" or "vehicles" (hinayana, Mahayana and vajrayana) The community practice weekends are open to all regardless of whether or not they are taking weekly classes. Students can enter at any class or cycle. Students do not need to be or become a Buddhist to take these courses, although that opportunity will be provided for those who want to do so. For further information regarding upcoming programmes please contact Dennis Henton on 445-1162

Or visit: www.shambhala.org/ssbs

Sadhana of Mahamudra
This is a Buddhist practice written by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and consists of one hour of chanting with periods of meditation. The practice is held on the days of the new moon and the full moon each month. The essential teaching is that the nature of the practice itself undercuts any ideas of spiritual materialism. The practice is open to all levels of students.