In April 2019 we left our tenancy at the Masonic Lodge. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, our Members and Friends had continued to gather for monthly practice and other events at member’s homes. Our aspiration has been to maintain a “strong heart” of connection with those in the local community who wish to continue practicing, studying, and being together. As many others are, we currently gather online via Zoom.
Once we are able to again host public events, they will be posted on our website and we’ll send announcements via our email list (which you are welcome to join).
Buddhist Studies
Sonoma Shambhala Meditation Center
Igniting the Heart: Awakening Compassion to Transform Your World
with Pema Chödron
February 11th—April 28th
Are you tired of being hooked by your emotions? Join us for this online course with Pema Chödrön and Tim Olmsted to explore how emotions manifest in our lives and how to move fluidly through them without getting caught. Continue »
Davis Shambhala Meditation Center
Earth, Water, Fire and All the Elements: Reading the Sadhana of Mahamudra as if for the First Time
March 21st—April 25th
The Sadhana of Mahamudra was received by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1968 when he was in retreat seeking inspiration for how to present the dharma in the West. The sadhana brings together the highest and most profound teachings of mahamudra and ati. With Continue »
Berkeley Shambhala Meditation Center
Transforming Suffering & Happiness into Enlightenment with Sogan Rinpoche
April 7th
Join us for a day-long program with visiting teacher Sogan Rinpoche who will present lojong (mind training) teachings from the famous text Transforming Suffering and Happiness into Enlightenment by the Third Dodrupchen Tenpe Nyima. Continue »
Tamalpais Shambhala Meditation Group
The Paramitas in Everyday Life with Basha Hirschfeld and Elizabeth Sheppard
April 18th—June 6th
In this class we will be viewing and discussing Pema Chodron’s teachings on the Six Paramitas. Continue »
Berkeley Shambhala Meditation Center
Awakened Heart: Shambhala Level IV
with Barbara Hirschfeld & Susan Gluck
April 20th—April 21st
With trust in basic goodness and daring to experience the sharp edge of reality, we move forward with gentleness, increased awareness, and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is. We can extend ourselves to others fully and with kindness. Continue »
Northern California Shambhala
Profound Simplicity: Essentials for the Path, from Beginning to End
with Richard John
May 4th—May 5th
Some of the most crucial and powerful dharma teachings are the so-called “preliminaries” for establishing one's path of Dharma. The retreat will consist of teachings, Q&A, and practice of these three profound sets of teachings. Continue »
Northern California Shambhala
Refuge & Bodhisattva Vows
with Gaylon Ferguson
June 22nd—June 23rd
This June, we are delighted to announce that there will be an opportunity to take the Refuge Vow & Bodhisattva Vow with preceptor Gaylon Ferguson in-person at the Berkeley Shambhala Center. Continue »
Northern California Shambhala
Summer Retreat: Mind at Ease: Self-Liberation Through Mahamudra Meditation
with Gaylon Ferguson
June 28th—July 2nd
In this five-day group retreat — open to all practitioners, we will follow the teachings and practices outlined in Traleg Rinpoche’s profound text Mind at Ease: Self-liberation through Mahamudra Meditation. Continue »