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 »