Online Programs

Social distancing does not need to mean social isolation. And, since so many of us find that our practice is enhanced by sharing it with others, we are creating new ways to connect with sangha. 

All of our meditation and practice sessions have gone online during the pandemic—and this gives our region a unique opportunity to come together on multiple days of the week. So, please take advantage of the wealth of online, free-of-charge sessions and get to know our extended family of meditation practitioners.
 
Since our survival as a non-profit relies upon the generosity of donations, please consider making a contribution to the center that is hosting the program you are attending
 
Visit this link for a list of Northern California Centers, and click the donation button.

 

 

This page displays programs in a list. If you wish to see these programs in a calendar view, visit this page. 

 

Welcome to Shambhala: An Introduction to Meditation
With the Berkeley Shambhala Center
First Saturdays of the Month from 10 to 11:30 AM

An opportunity for newcomers to learn the practice of meditation from one of our senior students. Explore the connection between meditation and everyday life while learning about the core Shambhala principles of basic goodness and creating enlightened society. This is a great way to get a flavor of Shambhala Buddhism and to find out what opportunities there are for practice, study, and community.

Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83730725970?pwd=NUJsMmdMcytIb2Z0YnBBdFdVa2dNdz09

 

 

Overcoming Fear in the Dark Age
with Jay Lippman in Berkeley
Saturday, August 1st from 10 AM to 1 PM

Fear is always a force in our lives, but it is especially powerful during this time. The coronavirus pandemic puts all our lives at risk. Society and our environment seem to be crumbling. Many Shambhalians are also facing the fears that come with ageing and death. At the heart of Shambhala Buddhism is a unique and powerful practice for conquering fear. Subtle and profound, this practice goes far beyond mindfulness. It is a step-by-step technique that challenges us to overcome fear by revealing its true nature.

In this workshop we will review the Buddhist remedies for fear and the other strong emotions found in the mindfulness and compassion traditions, and introduce the powerful Shambhala meditation for overcoming fear as taught by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The workshop will include guided meditation.

Learn more and register here…https://berkeley.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=456234

 

 

The Heart of the Buddha Book Study Class 
With Jesse Miller in Tamalpais
August 6th through October 8th
10 Thursday Evenings from 7 to 9 PM

Please join us for a collaborative exploration and contemplation of the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche as presented in The Heart of the Buddha. Drawn from talks of

the early 1970’s to the early 1980’s, this material touches on fundamental teachings of the Buddhist path.

Topics include The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Devotion, Stages on the Path, and Sacred Outlook. 

Learn more and register here… https://tamalpais.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=455463

 

 
 
with Charlene Leung
 
Saturday, August 15th, from 1 to 2:30 PM
With the Berkeley Shambhala Center
 
With the most vulnerable in society impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, pre-existing social inequities are clearly exposed, along with the atrocity of centuries-old social injustice. What is the “racism pandemic”? How can we create good human society in these dark times? Is it even possible? How can Shambhala teachings help? 
 
Join us for talk, guided meditation, and speaking from the heart in small groups. For any Black, indigenous, or people of color present who desire a small group for BIPOC only, it will be provided.
 

 

 

How We Talk to Ourselves: the Basic Goodness of Mindful Speech, the Mindlessness of Losing Our Confidence, and How it Can Affect Others
With Greg Heffron in Berkeley
Saturday, August 22nd from 11 AM to 2 PM

Using simple metaphors and exercises, this talk aims to root us in the good connection we have with our own experience, and to uncover how, if ignored, our self-aggression can end up harming others.

Mindful Communication is a discipline designed by Acharya Susan Chapman, author of The Five Keys to Mindful Communication. It uses our Shambhala teachings and training (including bardo, klesha, shamatha-vipashyana, etc.) to unlock the barriers that prevent us from connecting with ourselves and others.

Learn more and register here… https://berkeley.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=457402

 

 

Deepening in Compassion Series IV: Lojong and Compassionate Engagement
With Sonoma Shambhala
Six Sunday Mornings August 23rd to September 27th
From 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Join us for a series of talks recently lead by a group of Shambhala Acharyas which include contemplative and meditation practices from the Mahayana teachings of our Shambhala Buddhist Lineage.

This part IV of the series continues with six Sundays of previously recorded video talks on lojong and compassionate engagement. These video talks will be supported by a facilitating teacher who will answer questions as well as lead discussion online together with participants each Sunday.

Learn more and register here… https://sonoma.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=457353

 

 

Smile at Fear Book Study Group
Part Three: Riding the Energy of Windhorse
with Jesse Miller and Cynthia Morin in Berkeley

Tuesday Evenings August 25th through September 29th
From 7 to 9 PM | Drop-ins OK
With the Berkeley Shambhala Center

Please join us for a mutual contemplation and discussion of Chogyam Trungpa’s profound teachings on working with fear and fearlessness. We will be reading from Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery. All are welcome. Drops-ins and late registrants are welcome as long as you register beforehand.

Learn more and register here: https://berkeley.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=455753

 

 

The Drala Lineage of Mukpo
With Jesse Miller & Irv Kirschbaum in Sonoma

Saturday, August 29th from 10 AM to 1 PM

The Drala Lineage of Mukpo, you bring about the new golden age. Grant your blessings so that I may liberate all beings.
—From the Supplication to the Shambhala Lineage chant

Our morning chants include the Supplication to the Shambhala Lineage that begins, Primordial Rigden, All Good Samantabadra… 

Many of us chant it regularly, but we may have questions about the meaning of the words? Indeed, they include some of the most profound teachings within the Shambhala tradition. Please join us for a morning of practice and mutual exploration through meditation, sacred art and discussion of the dharma teachings embedded in this chant.

Learn more and register here… https://sonoma.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=457265

 

 
With Bruce Dal Santo and Valentin Ghiur
 
Tuesdays, September 1st through October 13th
From 7 to 9 PM
With the San Francisco Shambhala Center
 
The Abhidharma is a collection of Buddhist scriptures that investigate the workings of the mind and the states of human consciousness. In this book, Chogyam Trungpa shows how an examination of the formation of the ego provides us with an opportunity to develop real intelligence. Trungpa also presents the practice of meditation as the means that enables us to see our psychological situation clearly and directly.
 
Join us for a quick and precise glimpse into the inner workings of how prajna (direct insight) and those forces that shape our mental and physical existence influence our personal experiences.
 
 
 
 
 
With Rob Ward
 
Mondays, September 14th through October 5th
From 7 to 8 PM
With the Berkeley Shambhala Center
 
Please join us for a survey of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s earliest Western writings from Meditation in Action, Mudra, and the Garuda Series, among others. Discover (or rediscover) Buddhadharma without credentials, dharmas without blame, manure on the field of bodhi, the original article on spiritual materialism, commentary on the Zen Oxherding pictures, and talks to the early community. In line with Trungpa Rinpoche’s emphasis on a balance between study and practice, each session will
include a period of sitting practice and a period of open contemplative discussion.
 
 

Online Meditation Practice Sessions and Study Groups

Sunday Morning Meditation and Open Houses

San Francisco
Every Sunday from 10 AM to 12 Noon 
Meditation instruction at 10 AM in a break-out group, meditation practice at 10 AM.  Talk and discussion at 11 AM. Long sits on the 5th Sunday. 

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/635708320?pwd=Z0tVeVNqNFhENXZiSVc0N0J1UXl6dz09

Davis
Every Sunday from 9 to 10 AM
An hour of practice followed by a time for community to connect.

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/315629482?pwd=K0tkVmpTbDJRZnVEd09xYVhRQjNiQT09

Berkeley
Every Sunday from  10 AM to 11:30 PM 
Sitting meditation followed by a community discussion. 

Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82750302953?pwd=czBsODFZQVNTYXRzOHdwbFR4VW9SZz09

Sonoma
Every Sunday from 9 AM to 10:15
Followed by tea and conversation (BYO tea!)

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/143723466

 

 

Morning Meditation
Weekdays Plus Saturday
With Shastri Joanne Martin-Braun in Sonoma

From 7:30 to 8:15 AM

Sitting is a great way to start your day when things are so groundless! We will sit together for a half-hour from 7:30 to 8 AM. Then, if you would like to stay, we will have a few minutes for a short dharma discussion until 8:15.

Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/383409932?pwd=K3lJTGl5anlWZEZwT3lOOVJ0YVROQT09

 

 

 

Weekday Morning Meditation
With Davis Shambhala
From 7 to 8 AM
Includes opening chants and meditation followed by conversation.

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/961827423?pwd=MnJvN202cmRJVnVkZjJDdVRkelNxUT09

 

 

Tuesday Evening Open House
With Tamalpais Shambhala
From 7 to 9 PM

Meditation instruction, sitting meditation practice, readings and discussions. (BYO tea and cookies).

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/484467659?pwd=UVZxT1JZNmNKZ20zeUVxRDZ3ZzU2dz09

 

 

Wednesday Evening Online Community Gathering—Opening the Circle
With Berkeley Shambhala
Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 PM

As we shelter in place and adapt to rapid changes in our lives and wait…How can we keep from losing heart, feeling isolated, and draw on our inner and outer resources?  How can we support each other as community during such a fearful, painful and tenuous time?   
 
The Berkeley Shambhala Meditation Center warmly invites you for Weekly Meditation, Dharma Inspiration and Check-in & Support. The evening will include guided meditation, dharma inspiration, and a listening circle. 
 
 

 

 
 
Practices for the Time of the Pandemic
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has given us practice advice and instructions for the time of the pandemic. This Friday morning session is for all levels of practice and includes the Seven-Line Supplication to Padmakara, a Green Tara Supplication, and the Medicine Buddha mantra.  To obtain a copy of the instructions (which include the Green Tara Supplication, and the Medicine Buddha mantra), please send an email to [email protected].
 
Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30 AM With Northern California Shambhala
 
Sundays from 8:15 to 9 AM with Sonoma Shambhala
Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89321614243
 
 

 

Saturday Morning Sitting Practice
With Silicon Valley Shambhala
2nd and 4th Saturdays
From 10:15 to 12 noon

Session includes a check-in, sitting meditation, and dharma discussion.

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/248414203?pwd=MFh2RDAvaWxvSXF5cFR5Y0NxZjRQdz09

 

Online Sadhana Practice Sessions

White Tara Practice
With Davis Shambhala
Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 AM

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/163181278?pwd=YldrZWRTY1Z3RGdSR0Q0SlhFSWlsUT09

Peaceful White Tara is said to witness the suffering of beings through her seven eyes, and she soothes their fear, calms their anguish, heals their suffering, restores their health—both individual and communal—and extends their lives. This is a lineage practice particularly relied upon in times of domestic and community turmoil and disharmony, or in the midst of attacks on health and longevity.

 

 

Sadhana of Mahamudra
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche offered this text to everyone regardless of level of practice, because he saw great urgency in the need for it. This is part of what makes the Sadhana of Mahamudra so special. All levels of students are warmly invited to participate. The Sadhana of Mahamudra is only offered in group settings and lasts about an hour. It involves chanting, visualization, and silent meditation. The text will be provided in the online sessions.

Santa Rosa
Monday, August 3rd from 6:30 to 8 PM

Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83744790867?pwd=NlBsakt6YnhUNkFaeE1aREdGMThaZz09

Silicon Valley
Every 4th Thursday Evening
From 7 to 8:45 PM

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/755575205?pwd=cG4xZVVDTDhLQnZpakJYYVVoS2lSdz09

San Francisco
Tuesday, August 18th, Thursday, September 17th
From 7 to 8 PM

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/92635075073?pwd=U0lhSXo1cXZ3VFJRSjRucEJHU1lGUT09

Berkeley
Fourth Saturdays from 9 to 10 AM

Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84036364501?pwd=dmlqdlB1UmNXeWFIaUpxSzZxcHpVZz09

 

 

 

Shambhala Sadhana Online
With Davis Shambhala
Every Tuesday Morning from 7 to 8 AM

Join URL https://zoom.us/j/185369045?pwd=d2dXMEMwTVZGWXlORFd4LzRVTk5Fdz09

~and~

With Margaret in San Francisco
Monday, August 3rd from 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Tuesday, September 1st from 6:30 to 7:30 PM

Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/94312748103?pwd=WC9od0VMdTdYZVlYVWg0MkdYU0RyUT09

A time for our community to come together to practice the Shambhala Sadhana. All are welcome—and encouraged—to join, no matter what your level of experience. 

The Shambhala Sadhana is powerful in its direct approach to basic goodness. It is a profound yet simple chanting and visualization practice that deepens our personal and societal connection with Basic Goodness. We gather as a community to engage in this profound practice so we can connect more fully with our hearts, each other and the world.  

 

 

Sadhana of Kindness
With Irv Kirschbaum and Susie Cook in Sonoma
Every Third Saturday at 9 AM

The Sadhana of Kindness is a short liturgy invoking the moon of kindness in our heart as the basis for establishing enlightened society. This practice is short, delightful, and a primary avenue into Mahayana practice within the Shambhala tradition.

Join URL: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/887041763?pwd=bXNUMlhZL0NLUnpGTHdrSkhPaXdWQT09

 

 
 
The Wisdom of Pema Chodron: A Study Group
 
With the Berkeley Shambhala Center
First Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
 
Join us as we delve into the brilliant teachings of Pema Chodron. With warmth and humor Pema helps us to lift the barriers to being the radiant self that we really are. This Pema group has been a source of inspiration and learning for over 15 years, and newcomers are most welcome! We meet the first Wednesday of every month. This program is free with a donation requested.
 
Learn more here
 

 

ZoomAbout Zoom
These sessions are all through the Zoom platform. It is available for computers, smart phones, and tablets. You will need to download the free app on your device before joining the session. Once it is loaded, all you need to do is click the link and follow the prompts to join the session.

It is best to join 5 minutes in advance so that you are set up when the session begins.

And, make certain that your mic is muted when you join to avoid background noises which are multiplied with many participants.

Learn more about Zoom here: https://zoom.us

You can find is a list of Zoom FAQs at this link.