Welcome

Established in 1976, the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center offers meditation instruction and classes in the tradition of Shambhala Buddhism, a form of Western Buddhism. This lineage teaches the Shambhala view of living an uplifted life, fully engaged with the world.

We are part of Shambhala International, a worldwide community of meditation and retreat centers founded in 1973 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, artist, author, and poet. Today, the Shambhala tradition is led by Trungpa Rinpoche's son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

Our local center, centrally located just south of downtown Austin, offers free meditation instruction, public meditation hours, and a core curriculum of Shambhala Buddhist teachings, as well as training in contemplative arts. We invite you to explore our diverse programs, designed to help people of all traditions discover their inherent sanity, gentleness and humor.

Read more about our history here.

Learn to Meditate

"The human mind is by nature joyous, calm, and very clear. In meditation we're letting our mind be as it is to begin with." - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Free meditation instruction is available Sundays at 11:00 AM and Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

No pre-arrangements are necessary. Just come on by and get to know your own mind. We hope you'll join us during our public meditation hours.

Introduction to Shambhala

First and third Monday of every month, 7pm

Join us for an introduction to the Austin Shambhala Medtation Center and a guided medtation instruction.

For more information click here.

 

Public Meditation Hours

• Tuesdays: 7:00pm-8:15pm
• Wednesdays: 7:00pm-7:30pm
• Thursdays: 7:00pm-8:15pm
• Sundays: 9:00am - Noon
  

 

The Way of Shambhala

The "Way of Shambhala" is a complete introduction to the foundations of Shambhala Buddhism. This series of workshops and classes is an experiential overview of meditation practices, wisdom teachings, contemplative arts, and physical disciplines rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. For more information and an overview of the Way of Shambhala path, click here.

 

Introductory Events

Sunday Tea / Reception

Sundays 12:00 PM

After the public sit please stay and meet your fellow meditators over tea and snacks.

Introduction to Shambhala

First and Third Monday of every month 7:00-8:30 PM

Join us for an introduction to the Shambhala Meditation Center and guided meditation instruction. Included will be a talk on meditation and the path of human bravery and gentleness, defined as warriorship. The talk and instruction will be followed by a discussion and informal reception. Check our Calendar page for specific dates.

Conversations About Buddhism

Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 PM

A popular weekly ongoing discussion about all things Buddhist. Free and open to everyone, this class is a discussion group led by a teacher/facilitator. All are welcome to join in at any time during the course of the program. For more information contact Melinda Rothouse at melinda.rothouse@gmail.com, or Paul Mikulencak at paul.mikulencak@gmail.com.

 

Children's Program and Parent Sit

The Family Council is pausing the Sunday sessions in order to chart a new creative, grounded, and supported path forward. We aim to select a few specific initiatives to truly integrate families and children into the Sangha. We recognize the specific challenges for families with children: How can we juggle our professional lives and our meditation practice while, at the same time, offering gentle, appropriate spiritual guidance and role modeling for our children in the context of a Children's Program?

We would very much enjoy your participation and feedback in this selection process to determine new initiatives so please stay tuned for upcoming announcements of meeting times and agendas as we move to a place of increased activity, support and engagement for our families and children at the Shambhala Center. Please contact Sera Bonds at serabondsmph@gmail.com to get your name added to our contact list so we can keep you updated.

 

Center Office Hours

 

The Austin Shambhala Center has open office hours:

• Mondays- 1:00-6:00pm
• Tuesdays- 2:00-6:00pm
• Wednesdays- 1:00-6:00pm
• Thursdays- 2:00-6:00pm
• Fridays- 1:00-6:00pm
• Sundays- 11:00am-1:00pm

Director's hours:

• Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00pm
• Thursdays: 2:00-3:00pm
• Saturdays: 10-11:00am
• Also by appointment

 

You may also call the Center at (512) 443-3263 to arrange an appointment to visit.

 

How to Find Us

We are centrally located at 1702 South Fifth St., 78704

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