Online Programs
Our community is coming together during our shelter-in-place order to provide opportunities for community practice. 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.
We are working towards growing our online offerings, so please do check back as we add new programs and practice sessions.
Radical Responsibility: An Online Weekend Social Action Training
with Acharya Fleet Maull in Berkeley
Saturday & Sunday, July 18th & 19th from 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Learn the Skills to Confront Our Biggest Challenges with Wisdom, Bravery, Skill, and Resilience.
Come and explore simple yet powerful tools for connecting with your innate goodness and wisdom, and shift self-limiting patterns that block the pathway to the personal and social change we all long for. The Radical Responsibility training provides a clear path to genuine social transformation through the integration of individual and collective responsibility.
This program is based on Acharya Maull’s work in the areas of social activism, prison work and Dharma, as well as his newest book Radical Responsibility.
More details and registration at this link: https://berkeley.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=441963
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
Deepening In Compassion Series III
Fearless Garuda: Emptiness and Absolute Bodhichitta
With Sonoma Shambhala
Five Sundays, June 7th through July 5th
From 10 AM to 12 PM
A Five-Week Series:
1. Going Beyond Concept: Prajnaparamita and Absolute Bodhichitta with Acharya Simmer-Brown
2. Heart Sutra with Acharya David Schneider
3. Feminine Principle with Acharya Simmer-Brown
4. Glimpses of Shunyata with Acharya Melissa Moore
5. Prajna & Compassion with Acharya Simmer-Brown
Learn more and register here: https://sonoma.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=453621
Foundations for Freedom: The HinayanaDrop-ins okay.
Mindful Aging: Making Peace with Impermanence
With Ira Rechtshaffer in Tamalpais
Tuesday, July 7th at 7 PM
Whether we’re in our 40s or 60s, aging in a youth-obsessed, materialistic culture often provokes fears of loss, unwelcomed changes to our body and our health, diminished vitality, feelings of unlovability and social invisibility. Sometimes we might think that our “best days” have gone by already.
In order to evolve rather than just get older, let’s use our meditative awareness to explore the unfinished business that needs our attention, what needs reconciliation, forgiveness and healing, and what within us wants to be cherished and cultivated.
Learn more and register here: https://tamalpais.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=454060
White Fragility: A Book Study Class with Janet Ryvlin, Denise Blanc, Susan Arnesen
8 Thursday Evenings, July 9th through August 27th
From 7 to 8:30 PM
With the San Francisco Shambhala Center
A book study class on Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility. This book provides a direct and clear examination of the system of white supremacy, how it operates and how it hurts us, individually and collectively. It describes how we participate unknowingly in perpetuating it. With directness and compassion, DiAngelo allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’.
Within the view of basic goodness, we will share our vulnerability and open up to what makes it difficult to talk about racism. This book will explore the path for white people who truly endeavor to be a part of the solution.
This 8-week class will be held online on the Zoom platform. Class will be limited to 15 participants, so please pre-register well in advance to reserve your space.
Learn more and register here… https://sf.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=456088
Medicine Buddha Teachings Recording
With Jay Lippman
With Berkeley Shambhala
On May 16th The Berkeley Shambhala Center hosted Medicine Buddha Teachings with Jay Lippman. People have requested to view the recordings—so, we are making them available to the community.
In times of sickness and suffering, the Medicine Buddha is an ancient and renowned spiritual antidote. It is the perfect meditation practice during the coronavirus pandemic. This practice for healing and wellbeing is based on the teachings of the historical Buddha himself, as recorded in the Sutras.
Learn more and register here…https://berkeley.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=454061
A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America
with Dr. Gale Young
With Davis Shambhala Center
Mondays, July 6th through August 10th, from 7 to 9 PM
This six-week course is based on Ronald Takaki’s book of the same name, which can be purchased from Amazon. We will explore the development of a racialized societal “ego” in the United States. This can be the first step in understandIng the suffering this self-image causes to people of color and the work that needs to be done to refrain from perpetuating this suffering in the future. In a supportive environment under the guidance of Dr. Gale Young, we will explore and study our individual relationships to race in society as well as the causes and conditions contributing to the racialized history we have inherited.
Learn more and register here… https://davis.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=455766
Smile at Fear Book Study Group
Part Two: The Way of the Warrior
with Jesse Miller and Cynthia Morin in Berkeley
Tuesday Evenings July 7th through August 11th
From 7 to 9 PM
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. OK to drop into any class.
Learn more and register here: https://berkeley.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=455753
What Does It Mean to Be White? with Denise Blanc & Janet Ryvlin
Six Saturdays from July 11th through August 15th
From 10 AM to 12:15 PM
With the Sonoma Shambhala Center
Using an evolutionary lens based on the powerful work from Diane Musho Hamilton, gifted Zen Roshi, professional mediator, author and facilitator, as our framework, we will explore the ways we might use our practices of compassion, mindfulness and community to become more self-aware and compassionate in our aspiration to create a more equitable society. Within the view of basic goodness of all beings, we will support each other in this journey.
Learn more and register here… https://sonoma.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=455795
Overcoming Fear in the Dark Age
with Jay Lippman
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
Online Meditation Practice Sessions
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 4th and 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://zoom.us/j/383409932
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
From the Ground UpWith Berkeley Shambhala
Second Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 PM
A monthly gathering spot to create and share your art, music, movement, writing, stamp collection, and creative energy with others. An opportunity to come together in support of the creative spirit in all of us during this difficult time. No artistic experience or practice is needed to participate, only an open heart and endless curiosity.
We will be open with a short meditation and spark of inspiration followed by an open play period and time for sharing.
Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86751998566?pwd=OXJLbktqd3pYQmxnTUltQmlsSG9Wdz09
Practices for the Time of the PandemicJoin 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
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
Friday, June 5th from 5 to 6:30 PM
Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83646406230?pwd=NXE5V2xFTUV3bHZtUU11SnorMWRiZz09
Silicon Valley
Every 4th Thursday Evening
From 7 to 8:45 PM
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/755575205?pwd=cG4xZVVDTDhLQnZpakJYYVVoS2lSdz09
San Francisco
Sunday, June 21st; Sunday, July 19th; Tuesday, August 18th
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
Friday, July 3rd from 6:30 to 7:30 PM
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
*Special meeting time, Saturday, June 20th at 8 AM to accommodate Jakusho Kwong-roshi’s talk.
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
About 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.
