Austin Shambhala Meditation Center

10/03/2025

Weekend Meditation Retreat
The Art of Being Human: Shambhala Training Level 1

You don’t need to be a monk, a mystic, or a “calm person” to meditate.
You just need a willingness to sit down and explore your own mind.

Meditation is not about becoming someone different—it’s about becoming more fully yourself.

Shambhala Training offers a practical, secular path to uncovering your natural confidence, openness, and courage. Through meditation practice and the teachings of Shambhala Warriorship, you’ll discover how gentleness and fearlessness can go hand in hand—both on the cushion and in everyday life.

This first-level weekend retreat includes:

- Clear meditation instruction and practice

- Teachings on being present with yourself and others

- Individual meetings with meditation instructors

- Group dialogue and community connection

Whether you’re brand new to meditation or a longtime practitioner, this retreat will help you deepen awareness and bring mindfulness into daily living.

📅 Saturday, October 11 | 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
📅 Sunday, October 12 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Austin Shambhala Meditation Center

➡ Learn more and register: https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=814764

08/05/2025

Most of us are raised and socialized to not pay attention to what is happening on a body level. Eighty percent of the signals in our systems are sent from the body to the brain. If we are unable to translate those signals, we miss out on important
information.

Each class will have guided exercises to increase body awareness and processing of your experience. Your body awareness will increase with more practice and experience, so come as often as you like.

Sign up here: https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=800763

07/03/2025

This individually monitored retreat is open to meditators at all stages of practice who want to spend a day away from distractions, in order to deepen your practice.* Register here: https://tinyurl.com/nyinthun

*If you have not received instruction and practiced meditation in the Shambhala tradition of shamatha, it is recommended that you do so before attending this retreat (offered at no cost on Sunday mornings at the Austin Center).

06/08/2025

Join us Saturday, June 14th from 10 - 3 p.m. for the Dharma of Improv.

This class is open to all ages, identities, and abilities–everyone is welcome just as they are (no theater experience necessary). It will be a joyful, supportive space to let loose, learn some foundational techniques of improv, and discover how these skills and principles can deepen our relationships, our confidence, and even our meditation practice. Expect lots of laughter, learning, and opportunities for genuine connection as we explore improvisation as a path of wakefulness!

The heart of improvisation is presence: meeting each moment with openness, curiosity, and trust. In this class, we'll explore how the practice of improv–listening deeply, letting go of self-consciousness, responding with authenticity–aligns with the path of meditation and contemplative arts. Through playful exercises and group creativity, we'll discover how the principles of "yes, and," beginner’s mind, and fearless compassion can bring awareness to life both onstage and off.

Register now to reserve your spot! https://tinyurl.com/dharmaofimprov

05/28/2025

Our Dharma of Improv class is open to all ages, identities, and abilities–everyone is welcome just as they are (no theater experience necessary). It will be a joyful, supportive space to let loose, learn some foundational techniques of improv, and discover how these skills and principles can deepen our relationships, our confidence, and even our meditation practice. Expect lots of laughter, learning, and opportunities for genuine connection as we explore improvisation as a path of wakefulness! Register here: https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=796099

05/21/2025

Shambhala Training Level 1: The Art of Being Human
with Linda Mockeridge
June 7th—June 8th

There is an ordinary magic in gaining awareness of the basic worthiness of being you, being who you really are. This worthiness as a person is re-discovering your complete goodness. Discovering Basic Goodness is the foundation for the weekend which will explore the Art of Being Human (known as Level I in Shambhala Training) through meditation, talks, discussion and a short one to one meeting with a meditation instructor.

The Art of Being Human is the first of five progressive retreats including meditation instruction, teachings, individual meetings with meditation instructors, group discussion, and meditation practice.

This level is a prerequisite for all of the others and is suitable for those with little or no regular meditation practice, as well as experienced practitioners who wish to integrate mindfulness practice with their daily lives.

Learn more and register here: https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=796098

05/14/2025

🌸 Discover the Art of Ikebana – A Meditative Flower Arranging Class

What if arranging flowers could be a spiritual practice?

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, invites you to slow down, tune in, and create beauty from a place of mindfulness. In this hands-on workshop at the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center, you’ll explore the harmony of nature, form, and simplicity—no experience needed.

🧘‍♀️ Whether you're drawn to floral design, curious about contemplative practices, or looking for a gentle introduction to our meditation community, this class is the perfect place to start.

🗓 May 31 | 9 am–12 pm
💐 All materials provided | Only $50
👥 Space is limited to 15 participants

👉 Register now to reserve your spot: https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=630357

Come create something beautiful—and see the world (and yourself) a little differently.

01/08/2025

An Exploration of the Heart Sutra
with Adam Sultan
Saturday, Jan. 18th, 9am-3pm

The Heart Sutra, or The Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge, is the best known and most often chanted sutra of the Buddha. It expresses the essence of the Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma in which the Buddha taught that the ultimate nature of reality is empty of whatever we might think about it or project onto it. This emptiness is not a void, but the source of the arising of great compassion without pretense because the bodhisattva, or “awake being,” perceives that beings endure great suffering needlessly. Inseparable emptiness and compassion is the unconditional ground of the warrior’s intent to create enlightened society.
Link in bio or comments, or at

https://shorturl.at/x2DSk

10/31/2024

It's true.

08/23/2024

08/20/2024

Interested in learning meditation, or deepening an existing practice? Join us September 7–9th for The Art of Being Human, an introduction to the practice of meditation and the Shambhala teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

Details at www.austin.shambhala.org

04/19/2024

Kyudo: The Way of the Bow
Intro Talk, Friday April 26th, is open to all.
https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=713170

Weekend Workshop, Sat and Sun April 27th & 28th
https://austin.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=713171

In this weekend class we will explore our physical and mental blocks with insight and patience. Students will engage in Japanese culture, language and Budo culture each day and discover how to bring that knowledge into everyday life.

All equipment will be provided. Space is limited.

Sempai Toby Bernal is a student and close associate of Kanjuro Shibata XXI, Sensei, the son of Kanjuro Shibata XX, and the current leader of this school of Kyudo. Toby is himself a Shambhala practitioner in Austin, where he leads one of the few recognized American dojos in the tradition established by Kanjuro Shibata XX. Sempai Toby has taught numerous classes in Houston and Seattle and has attended workshops with Kanjuro Shibata XXI in Japan and in retreats in the US.