Spark your heart and mind
through the practice of meditation.

Meditation is a personal journey and a path of social transformation. Learn to meditate, and naturally grow your confidence, mindful awareness, and compassion.

Northern California Shambhala

Northern California Shambhala is a community of meditation centers and study groups located in Berkeley, Davis, San Francisco, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Sonora, Silicon Valley and Grass Valley. To locate a center near you, click a location on the map or click here.

Find a center near you.

We are part of Shambhala International, a community of meditation centers founded in 1973 by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, artist, author, and poet. Today, the Shambhala tradition is led by Trungpa Rinpoche’s son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Along with a number of senior dharma teachers such as Acharya Pema Chodron, these timely teachings are being offered at Shambhala Centers worldwide.

It is the Shambhala view that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness, warmth and intelligence.  This nature can be cultivated through meditation, following ancient principles, and it can be further developed in daily life, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community and society. Shambhala vision is rooted in the contemplative teachings of Buddhism, yet is a fresh expression of the spiritual journey for our time.

Shambhala offers an extensive structured path of training in authentic meditation practices and teachings for people who are interested in pursuing such a path.  The name of this path is The Way of Shambhala. If you would like a simple introduction, you may choose to sample a workshop, a course or a weekend or several, at any time. Click here for an overview of the full Way of Shambhala program.

RECENT NEWS

Sakyong Hosted at Google by Chade-Meng Tan

reported by Joshua Silberstein
photo by Breton Hoagland

Sakyong-and-Chad-Meng-Tang_croppedOn Thursday, May 9th, the Sakyong was invited to have lunch and tour the Google facility in Mountain View, CA. Our host, Chade-Meng Tan was one of Google’s earliest engineers.

Among many other things, Chade-Meng Tan helped build Google’s first mobile search service, and headed the team that kept a vigilant eye on Google’s search quality. After a successful 8-year stint in Engineering and 2 years as Google EDU’s Head of Personal Growth, he now serves with Google’s Talent Team. His current job description is to, “Enlighten minds, open hearts, create world peace,” and his job title is “Jolly Good Fellow.” He is also the creator and teacher of a meditation training for Google employees entitled, “Search Inside Yourself.” MORE

Regional Programs

Santa Rosa Shambhala Meditation Center

Werma Feast

January 19th—June 1st

For vajrayana students. Continue »

Davis Shambhala Meditation Center

Joy in Everyday Life

May 2nd—May 30th

This course expands the meditation experience by cultivating the noble heart of the Mahayana teachings, opening the path to the virtue and celebration of compassion. Continue »

Shambhala Meditation Center of San Francisco

Course 3: Joy in Everyday Life

with Seth Bregman

May 2nd—June 6th

Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings on intelligent compassion towards others, we begin to discover the joy of discipline, health and bravery. Continue »

Berkeley Shambhala Meditation Center

Sadhana of Mahamudra

May 9th—September 19th

This Vajrayana practice is open to everyone and is a means of overcoming obstacles in one's practice and life. The Sadhana consists of brief silent meditation, chanting, and mantra recitation. Continue »

Santa Rosa Shambhala Meditation Center

Way of Shambhala I: Joy in Everyday Life

with Barbara Hirschfeld

May 13th—June 17th

Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings on intelligent compassion towards others, we begin to discover the joy of discipline, health and bravery. Continue »