Welcome!
The Shambhala Meditation Center in New Haven is part of an international community of urban meditation and rural retreat centers founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and now led by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Our center offers ongoing training in meditation and study of Buddhist and Shambhala teachings, as well as training in advanced contemplative practices. We invite you to explore our diverse programs designed to help people of all traditions discover their inherent sanity, gentleness and humor. As part of Shambhala International, the Shambhala Meditation Center in New Haven offers practice and study in the lineage of Shambhala Buddhism, unique in the world of Western Buddhism. This lineage combines the teachings of the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and the Shambhala view of living an uplifted life, fully engaged with the world. Our center offers a rich array of weekly ongoing offerings free to the public. No prior meditation experience required to attend. Most programs offer meditation instruction upon request.
All are welcome. Visit our monthly calendar for a full listing of programs. What we Offer Meditation is a natural state of the human mind—at rest, open, alert. The practice of meditation has been taught for over 2,500 years as a vehicle for realizing the beauty and magic of the ordinary world without aggression or manipulation. The teachings of Shambhala Buddhism emphasize the potential for enlightenment inherent in every situation or state of mind. Through discipline, gentleness and a sense of humor, the practitioner is invited to let go of conflicting emotions and wake up on the spot. Mindfulness/awareness meditation is the foundation of all that we do at the Shambhala Meditation Center.This ancient practice of self-discovery is rooted in the simple but revolutionary premise that every human being has the ability to cultivate the mind’s inherent stability, clarity and strength in order to be more awake and to develop the compassion and insight necessary to care for oneself and the world genuinely. About Meditation Instruction Meditation instruction is available to anyone, free of charge. We offer introductory instruction to newcomers and follow-up instruction to other practitioners on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, as part of our Open House program, and at other times by appointment. Not just for “new†meditators, instruction is also recommended as part of our ongoing practice. You are always welcome to come in and speak to an instructor about your regular practice and you may even ask to form a working relationship with the instructor of your choice.
Shambhala Meditation Center of New Haven 85 Willow Street, Building B, 3rd Floor New Haven, CT 06511 Please note that the Center is a third floor walk-up. There is no elevator. While we generally use incense during the meditation sessions, if you are sensitive to it, please let a member know and we will refrain from using it during the session. Kindly turn off your cell phone when entering the Center.