What we Offer

We realize now that in order to change the world, our community needs a profound sense of kindness…If the field of our mind is not ploughed with kindness and self-respect and love for others, then the seeds of realization have no place to grow.
– Sakyong Mipham, leader of Shambhala

The Shambhala Center of Lexington is a community of individuals committed to practicing, studying and building the basis for a caring and compassionate society. We offer open meditation sessions, individual meditation instruction, weeknight classes, weekend retreats, and periodic community events. These courses and weekend retreats are open to people from any religious background or no religious background. They are grounded in basic human wisdom and are relevant to anyone interested in living a more sane, genuine, fearless, and joyous life. You are welcome to drop in, visit and practice meditation during our open sitting session Saturday mornings at no charge.

Path of Practice and Study

The path begins and continues with meditation. Students are introduced to Buddhist and Shambhala teachings in the context of an ongoing meditation practice. Shambhala Meditation centres around the world offer a broad and carefully thought-out range of classes, meditation programs and community activities. At our residential practice and retreat centres, students can deepen their meditation through longer programs, and engage in periods of intensive study.

The path consists of a series of programs designed to stabilize and strengthen a student’s meditation practice, and to clarify their understanding of the teachings. Our courses offer entry into the classical teachings of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as the Shambhala wisdom presented by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The new Way of Shambhala curriculum serves as a graduated path of instruction in the profound vision of the lineage.

The Way of Shambhala program offers a contemporary, effective spiritual path, particularly oriented toward discovering the inherent strengths and goodness that are the foundations of a healthy, sane and decent society. Following it, we can reclaim our natural birthright of wisdom and compassion, and work with others to bring about the best in human society.

For a full description of the Shambhala Buddhist path, click here to visit shambhala.org.

Contemplative Arts

Along with sitting meditation practice and classes, the Lexington center occasionally offers programs in contemplative arts, including Shambhala Art, Miksang photography, and ikebana flower arranging.