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Northern California Shambhala News
May 2020
Featured Online Programs and Classes
All Northern California Shambhala programs have been moved to an online format during the pandemic. The good news is that now we have a wonderful selection of programs, classes, and practice sessions available to everyone without travel.

We are working towards growing our online offerings, so please do visit the Online Programs page on our website over the course of the month as we add new opportunities to practice and study. 
Radical Responsibility With Acharya Fleet Maull
Saturday & Sunday, July 18th & 19th from 10 AM to 5 PM
Online—Hosted by the Berkeley Shambhala Center

Cultivating Clarity, Compassion, Wisdom and Resilience for Challenging Times
During this weekend retreat we will learn to regulate and take ownership of our own emotions using mindfulness practices. In a safe and supportive environment, we will access the deep wisdom of our bodies while examining the ways that fear and survival-based habitual patterns have gotten in the way of our happiness and personal fulfillment. 

Come and explore simple yet powerful tools for connecting with your innate goodness and wisdom, and shift self-limiting patterns to create the life you want. This heart-centered program and its practices are trauma-informed and emphasize a gentle and self-compassionate way to take better care of ourselves while we enter into relationship with others. This program is based on Acharya Maull’s work in the areas of social activism, prison work and Dharma, as well as his newest book Radical Responsibility.

With Jay Lippman

Saturday, May 16th
From 10 AM to 1 PM
Online—Hosted by the Berkeley Shambhala Center

In times of sickness and suffering, the Medicine Buddha is an ancient and renowned spiritual antidote. It is the perfect meditation practice during the coronavirus pandemic. This practice for healing and wellbeing is based on the teachings of the historical Buddha himself, as recorded in the Sutras.

The Medicine Buddha is open to all, and can definitely benefit anyone who practices it with sincerity and devotion.

Tonglen: Expanding the Heart with Wisdom with Dungse Jampal Norbu

Thursday, May 7th from 7 to 9 PM
Online— Hosted by the San Francisco Shambhala Young Meditators

The Buddhist practice of Tonglen asks us to take nothing in our lives for granted. The compassion and wisdom that results from exchanging self and other—asking that we walk a mile in another’s shoes—leads us to a greater sense of inner peace.

Dungse Jampal Norbu will guide us through the practice of Tonglen and explore the hard questions that arise when we confront the biases and assumptions that come up when we actively engage this practice.

Dungse Jampal Norbu is the son and dharma heir of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. Rinpoche is the founder of Mangala Shri Bhuti and a lineage holder of the Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtik tradition. Dungse la’s anecdotal style and first-hand curiosity about how Buddhism relates to actual experience imbue his teaching with a fresh perspective, and reveal a natural wisdom and humor.

Price
Sliding Scale from $10 to $20 (to support the center).
In addition, there will be an optional opportunity to offer any amount monetarily to Dungse Jampal Norbu, in the spirit of one’s inspiration and gratitude for his teachings.

With Cynthia Morin

Saturday Afternoons, May 23rd to July 18th from 2 to 5 PM
Online—Hosted by the Berkeley Shambhala Center

Mindfulness-based stress reduction is an eight-week program that offers secular, intensive mindfulness training to assist people with stress, anxiety, depression and pain. It is a practical approach which trains attention, allowing people to cultivate awareness and therefore enabling them to have more choice to take wise action in their lives.

Developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in the 1970s by Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR uses a combination of mindfulness meditation, body awareness, yoga, and exploration of patterns of behavior, thinking, feeling and action.

Part One: The Way of the Warrior
with Jesse Miller and Cynthia Morin in Berkeley

Eight Tuesdays May 5th through June 3rd
From 7 to 9 PM

Please join us for a mutual contemplation and discussion of Chogyam Trungpa's profound teachings on working with fear and fearlessness. We will be reading from Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery. All are welcome.

With Jesse Miller in Sonoma

Saturday, May 9th from 10 AM to 12:30 PM

This community meditation morning is an opportunity to take a few hours to practice and contemplate our sense of well-being, goodness, and sanity. This program will include Shambhala Meditation instruction and practice, teachings and group discussion. For new and experienced practitioners alike.

In Berkeley 

Thursday, May 14th from 7 to 8:30 PM

A brand-new monthly gathering spot to create and share your art, music, movement, writing, stamp collection, and creative energy with others. We will come together in support of the creative spirit in all of us during this difficult time. No artistic experience or practice is needed to participate, only an open heart and endless curiosity.

We will be open with a short meditation and spark of inspiration followed by an open play period and time for sharing.

With Janet Ryvlin and Denise Blanc in Sonoma

Sundays through May 31st
From 10:45 AM to 12:45 PM
Come to any or all of the meetings.

Many of us who are white surround ourselves with sameness (other white people) while continually asking, “where is the diversity?” We don’t understand the power, privilege and advantages we have. In this series of classes, we will explore the effects of white privilege on our lives and the lives of people without this privilege. We will use films, documentaries, articles, and experiential practices to deepen our awareness and unravel our biases and prejudices that are under our conscious radar. 

More details and registration at this link.
For Sonoma Shambhala

Saturday, May 23rd from 9 AM to 9 PM

Join Us for a Day of Peaceful Sitting in Community
Register to sit for Sonoma Shambhala Center and help raise funds to support the center. We will gather on Zoom and you can sit as many hours as you like. Sign up to be a sitter and reach out to family and friends for pledges.

Or you can visit our list of participants and pledge to support someone.
Online Sitting Meditation Practice Sessions
All of our online meditation practice sessions are open to anyone who wishes to join and free of charge. Since our survival as a non-profit relies upon the generosity of donations, please consider making a contribution to the center that is hosting the program you are attending.

Visit this link for a list of Northern California Centers, and click the donation button.
NorCal Shambhala Shamatha Zoom Room
Join us any time of day when you sit to meditate. Jump on and see who in our region is practicing in the Zoom Meditation Room at the same time. Since we can't gather in person, we can sit in virtual community.

Please keep your mic muted while you are in the meditation space.

Sunday Morning Meditation and Open Houses

Berkeley
Every Sunday from 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Sitting meditation followed by a community discussion.


Davis
Every Sunday from 9 to 10 AM
An hour of practice followed by a time for community to connect.


San Francisco
Every Sunday from 10 AM to 12 Noon
Meditation instruction at 10 AM in a break-out group, meditation practice at 10 AM. Talk and discussion at 11 AM. Long sits on the 4th and 5th Sunday.


Sonoma
Every Sunday from 9 AM to 10:15
Followed by tea and conversation (BYO tea!)

Weekdays Plus Saturday 
With Joanne Martin-Braun in Sonoma
From 7:30 AM to 8:15 AM

Sitting is a great way to start your day when things are so groundless! We will sit together for a half-hour from 7:30 to 8 AM. Then, if you would like to stay, we will have a few minutes for personal check-ins until 8:15.

Weekday Morning Meditation

With Davis Shambhala
From 7 AM to 8 AM
Includes opening chants and meditation followed by conversation.



Tuesday Evening Open House
With Tamalpais Shambhala
From 7 to 9 PM

Meditation instruction, sitting meditation practice, readings and discussions. (BYO tea and cookies).

Tuesday Evening Meditation
With Davis Shambhala
From 7 to 8 PM

Meditation Instruction will be available in a separate breakout session.

Wednesday Morning Meditation
With Susie Cook in Sonoma
From 9 to 9:40 AM

Join us online via Zoom for a half hour of meditation and 10 minutes of open discussion in this unprecedented time of COVID-19 and closure of the Shambhala centers.

Wednesday Evening Online Community Gathering—Opening the Circle
With Berkeley Shambhala
Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 PM

As we shelter in place and adapt to rapid changes in our lives and wait…How can we keep from losing heart, feeling isolated, and draw on our inner and outer resources? How can we support each other as community during such a fearful, painful and tenuous time?
The Berkeley Shambhala Meditation Center warmly invites you for Weekly Meditation, Dharma Inspiration and Check-in & Support. The evening will include guided meditation, dharma inspiration, and a listening circle.

Saturday Morning Sitting Practice
With Silicon Valley Shambhala
2nd and 4th Saturdays
From 10:15 AM to 12 noon

Session includes a check-in, sitting meditation, and dharma discussion.




Online Sadhana Meditation Practice Sessions
White Tara Practice

With Davis Shambhala
Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 AM


With Shastri Joanne Martin-Braun in Sonoma
Saturday, April 25th from 10 to 11:15 AM


Peaceful White Tara is said to witness the suffering of beings through her seven eyes, and she soothes their fear, calms their anguish, heals their suffering, restores their health—both individual and communal—and extends their lives. This is a lineage practice particularly relied upon in times of domestic and community turmoil and disharmony, or in the midst of attacks on health and longevity.
Sadhana of Mahamudra

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche offered this text to everyone regardless of level of practice, because he saw great urgency in the need for it. This is part of what makes the Sadhana of Mahamudra so special. All levels of students are warmly invited to participate. The Sadhana of Mahamudra is only offered in group settings and lasts about an hour. It involves chanting, visualization, and silent meditation. The text will be provided in the online sessions.

Silicon Valley
Every 4th Thursday Evening
From 7 to 8:45 PM


San Francisco
Friday, May 22nd from 7 to 8 PM


Berkeley
Fourth Saturdays from 9 to 10:30 AM

Shambhala Sadhana

Davis Shambhala
Every Tuesday Morning from 7 to 8 AM


San Francisco
Friday, May 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM


A time for our community to come together to practice the Shambhala Sadhana. All are welcome—and encouraged—to join, no matter what your level of experience.

The Shambhala Sadhana is powerful in its direct approach to basic goodness. It is a profound yet simple chanting and visualization practice that deepens our personal and societal connection with Basic Goodness. We gather as a community to engage in this profound practice so we can connect more fully with our hearts, each other and the world.
Sadhana of Kindness
With Irv Kirschbaum and Susie Cook in Sonoma
Every Third Saturday at 9 AM

The Sadhana of Kindness is a short liturgy invoking the moon of kindness in our heart as the basis for establishing enlightened society. This practice is short, delightful, and a primary avenue into Mahayana practice within the Shambhala tradition.

About Zoom
These sessions are all through the Zoom platform. It is available for computers, smart phones, and tablets. You will need to download the free app on your device before joining the session. Once it is loaded, all you need to do is click the link and follow the prompts to join the session.

It is best to join 5 minutes in advance so that you are set up when the session begins.

And, make certain that your mic is muted when you join to avoid background noises which are multiplied with many participants.

Learn more about Zoom here: https://zoom.us

You can find is a list of Zoom FAQs at this link: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206175806-Frequently-Asked-Questions
A Parting Thought
There are innumerable strategies that we use to take our minds off of fear. Some people take tranquilizers, some people do yoga. Some people watch television or read a magazine or go to a bar to have a beer.
From the coward's point of view, boredom should be avoided, because when we are bored, we begin to feel anxious. We are getting closer to our fear.

-- Shambhala the Sacred Path of the Warrior
Northern California Shambhala
2288 Fulton Street
Berkeley, California 94704