Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston
The Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston was established in 1971 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The center offers a path of meditation rooted in the Shambhala lineage, Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, Bön, and the Shambhala teachings themselves.
For over 45 years, this center has supported individuals in their meditation journey. It focuses on cultivating worthiness, wisdom, and compassion based on the inherent goodness of humanity and the natural world.
Located at 646 Brookline Avenue in Brookline, the center is home to a diverse community, including dedicated senior teachers and enthusiastic newcomers. It provides a range of public meditation programs, practice and affinity groups, and teachings that extend to daily life. The center's mission is to help individuals and society recognize and cultivate their basic goodness and inherent worthiness.
At the core of its practice is Shamatha, or mindfulness meditation. This foundational technique helps practitioners tune into the present moment, whether at home, work, or elsewhere. The center believes that the natural state of the mind is calm, creative, and clear, and regular meditation practice can help settle into this state more often.
The center offers a progressive path of study. It consists of courses, weekend retreats, and programs that cover practices, teachings, contemplative arts, and physical disciplines rooted in Shambhala and Vajrayana Buddhism. These programs are designed to build on each other, each step being a prerequisite for the next.
In addition to structured programs, the center hosts various standalone programs. They include talks from respected teachers, classes on specific texts or teachings, and celebrations of holidays. The center's community is almost entirely volunteer-run. It emphasizes the shared effort in supporting meditation practice and realizing basic goodness.
Families are a vital part of the Shambhala community. The center encourages family participation and hosts celebrations of the changing seasons, known as “nyida” days. Which are family-oriented and offer opportunities for social gatherings.
Shambhala is a global network with over 200 communities in 94 countries. The teachings on human dignity have been shared and studied worldwide, attracting more than 100,000 people. These communities work together to explore ways of manifesting dignity and sanity in an increasingly chaotic world.
Key Takeaways:
- Official Website: https://boston.shambhala.org/
- Contact:
- Email: info@shambhalaboston.org
- Phone: (617) 734-1498
- Location: 646 Brookline Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445, United States
