Shambhala Forums

Working together for Social Transformation

We are all here on earth to see what we can offer, as opposed to what we can take. A life based upon what we can take leads to promoting a society where the only barometer of success is materialism. Mindfulness leads to an attitude of wanting to serve the world, rather than expecting to be served. Only through the development of mindfulness – which leads to virtues like kindness and generosity – will we become truly peaceful. – Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

The Shambhala Lineage combines deep spiritual practice with social awareness and engagement. As both meditation practitioners and global citizens, our journey is to simultaneously cultivate wisdom and compassion while embracing, celebrating and nurturing the broader social sphere in which we live.

At the core of the Shambhala teachings is the principle of Basic Goodness – the fundamental and unconditional goodness of human nature. When this principle is recognized and cultivated in society, we experience more trust, less fear, and greater confidence in our ability to overcome challenges. By cultivating this principle in all areas of society, humanity can create an atmosphere of trust, collaboration and possibility in order to transform society and create a global renaissance of human potential.

The Shambhala Forums organize community members involved in similar areas of social engagement, or with similar interests into forums – or contemplative working groups dedicated to exploring the view and practice of Basic Goodness in that field. The Forums span a range of key societal areas such as the Arts, Health, Medicine, Business, Economics, Environment, Sustainability, Government, Public Policy, and Global Affairs and combine contemplation and social action to help bring about social transformation.

Together, we can create a culture of boundless possibility: contemplating the most pressing issues of our time and harnessing our creativity for the good of all.

Here are some photos from the Shambhala Forums gathering in San Francisco last September: