Getting Started

Meditation is a practice that anyone can do.

It is based on the radical idea that the natural state of the mind is not scattered, nervous, and confused, but rather calm, creative, and clear. Practicing regularly provides a way to settle into this natural state more often.  At the Davis Shambhala Meditation Center, we begin by training in shamatha or mindfulness meditation. This foundational technique allows you to tune into the present moment, at home, at work, or wherever you go in your day to day life.

Our Shambhala center has so many offerings, it can be hard to know where to start. The programs listed on this page meet the need for a gentle, no-pressure introduction to the wisdom of the Shambhala tradition and how to begin to engage it to work with your life situations on the spot.

The courses below are from our core path and have no prerequisites.

Way of Shambhala, Course 1: Meditation in Everyday Life

The Meditation in Everyday Life course is designed to provide participants with the introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation in daily life. With simple instructions and support, mindfulness meditation practice can become part of our lives, bringing greater stability, strength, and clarity.

Way of Shambhala, Course 2: Contentment in Everyday Life

This course provides an exploration of genuine contentment, the foundational views of the Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. With meditation practice, we can learn to appreciate ourselves and simple human experiences, free from self-aggression. Difficult emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness, steadiness, and humor.

Way of Shambhala, Weekend Retreat 1: Shambhala Training Level I

Through the practice of meditation, we begin to glimpse that goodness—rather than confusion—is the unconditional ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings.

Basic Goodness Series, Course 1: Who Am I? The Basic Goodness of Being Human

This course asks the question, “Who am I?” and explores the sense of self. It includes teachings on basic goodness, selflessness, the arising of ego and cocoon, buddha-nature, and the confidence of warriorship. We practice contemplative investigations of the self, based on the foundations of mindfulness.

In addition to the above courses, we offer ongoing introductory programs (all free of charge): regular meditation instruction and the following events.

Learn more about Ongoing Offerings.

“It seems we all agree that training the body through exercise, diet, and relaxation is a good idea, but why don’t we think about training our mind?”

-Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche