Programs & Retreats
We offer mindfulness meditation programs and retreats in the Tibetan Buddhist teachings, the arts, and other contemplative disciplines, as well as individual meditation instruction.
Our meditation centers in Los Angeles are homes to a vibrant, diverse community of members and friends who provide ongoing volunteer and financial support – creating a warm, genuine basis for the realizing the full potential of our authentic wisdom traditions.
Sadhana of Mahamudra practice (Eagle Rock)
with Darryl Burnham
June 3rd—February 23rd (2020)
The Sadhana of Mahamudra presents a vajrayana view, bringing together the devotion mahamudra of the Kagyu lineage and the crazy wisdom of the Nyingma lineage. As such, it provides a powerful touchstone for understanding our vajrayana heritage. Continue »
A Year of Deepening in Compassion Part I - The Four Limitless Ones, (Orange County)
with Shastri Marilyn Moore
August 25th—December 8th
The path of the Bodhisattva Warrior begins with developing loving-kindness for ourselves and expands this to others, dissolving the barriers that divide us. T Continue »
RIGDEN: Unconditional Confidence and Enlightened Leadership (Eagle Rock)
with Acharya Emily Bower
November 16th—November 17th
This culmination of the Way of Shambhala I series explores the principle of enlightened leadership as symbolized by the Rigden, the gentle, compassionate, fearless, and wise ruler of Shambhala. Continue »
How to Meditate: The Path of Friendliness to Yourself and Others (Eagle Rock)
with Debra Dysart & Jenny Hannah
November 19th—December 10th
This exploration of meditation practice is open to all, both new and experienced meditators alike! Continue »
Bearing Witness to Life’s Transitions (Westside)
with Alice Toohey
November 23rd
How do we honor what we have had to let go of while also facing the unknown of what is to come? Participants can use found objects, paint, movement or poetry to create a space to honor a transition in life. Additionally there will be time for meditation, Continue »
All Day Meditation Retreat (Eagle Rock)
with Debra Dysart
November 30th
For new and experienced practitioners alike, this all-day community meditation retreat is a rare opportunity to take a real break from our usual routines to truly relax with ourselves and refresh our sense of wellbeing, goodness, and sanity. Continue »
Introduction to Meditation on the Westside
December 4th
These evenings are appropriate for anyone wishing to learn the basics of mindfulness/awareness meditation or to refresh their existing meditation practice. Continue »
Calligraphy is a Celebration of Nowness (Orange County)
with Anne Saitzyk
December 7th
When we loosen the grip of hope and fear and return to our senses, we are in the present moment, Square One, where we might make a gesture that is truly an expression of Now. This can feel irritating or joyful, but it is open and genuine. Continue »
Movie Night: THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM (Eagle Rock)
December 7th
A documentary film about the journey of Apricot Lane Farm's journey from arid wasteland to biodiverse paradise . . . in Moorpark, CA. Everyone is welcome! Continue »
Dharma Talk - December Pema Chodron DVD Night (Westside)
December 11th
All are encouraged to attend, regardless of meditation experience or if new to meditation. These evenings feature a short period of meditation with instruction, often from Pema within the context of her talk; discussion and light refreshments. Continue »
Mudra Space Awareness (Westside)
with Greg Heffron
December 12th
Mudra Space Awareness is a method of mind/body training that draws inspiration from Trungpa Rinpoche's early education in Tibetan monastic dance. The exercises combine intense physical training with focused sensory awareness. Continue »
Introductory Meditation Retreat - Shambhala Teachings Weekend I (Eagle Rock)
with Shastri Joel Wachbrit
December 14th—December 15th
This meditation retreat explores how to reawaken our hearts and minds to our own fundamental goodness and the sacredness of life. OPEN TO ALL! Continue »
Community Circle: Visual Storytelling with 'Zines (Westside)
with Candace Peterson-Kahn
December 14th
L.A. Shambhala Center member Candace Peterson-Kahn will share storytelling through bookmaking. She will show us how to make a Zine (mini-book) out of a single sheet of paper, four folds, and one cut! Continue »
3rd Annual Holiday Hootenanny (Westside)
with Angela Lloyd
December 14th
Join us for the 3rd Annual Holiday Hootenanny! Bring a story, poem, photo…. all expressions welcome or creative endeavor you would like to share. Continue »
Winter Meditation Retreat: A Shambhala Weekthün (Eagle Rock)
with Shastri Marcia Henry-Fink
December 26th—January 1st (2020)
This retreat is an intensive, week-long meditation program for new and experienced meditators interested in deepening their mindfulness-awareness. Join us for the whole week or sign up for a day or two. Continue »
Silence & Celebration: A New Years Eve Retreat and Party (Orange County) (2X)
December 31st
If you have been meaning to meditate more this year--or to learn to meditate--it's not too late! Everyone is welcome to join in this mini-retreat as we transition from the old year to the new. Come for the entire evening -- or for any part of it. Continue »
Shambhala Art Intensive 2020: All Five Parts
with Debra Dysart, Anne Saitzyk, Steve Saitzyk
January 3rd—January 8th (2020)
Shambhala Art is about how we create and view each moment, our environments, and the artistry of life itself. Seeing through our own projections, biases, strategies and conditioning, it is possible to see clearly and directly. We call that “Square One,” a Continue »
Shambhala Art Parts 4 and 5 Teacher Training
with Steve Saitzyk
January 5th—January 8th (2020)
Vajrayana students currently authorized as Parts 1 - 3 teachers or assistants (and existing 4 - 5 teachers) are warmly welcomed to this training. Continue »
GREAT EASTERN SUN: Shambhala Sacred Path (Eagle Rock)
January 11th—January 12th (2020)
This weekend program teaches how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists. It is also an introduction to membership in Shambhala - a living context for building a sane society. Continue »
Shambhala Guide Training
with Shastri Marcia Henry-Fink, Shastri Marilyn Moore, Shastri Joel Wachbrit
February 6th—February 9th (2020)
Karuna Training Certificate in Contemplative Psychology
February 20th—October 7th (2021)
Two-year comprehensive training and Certificate in Contemplative Psychology. Continue »
Qigong Level 5 (Eagle Rock)
with Eva Wong
March 7th—March 8th (2020)
If you¹ve completed Qigong Levels 1 - 4, please join us for Qigong Level 5 with Eva Wong! Continue »
