Durham Shambhala Center

Mahayana Buddhism--the Great Vehicle on the journey to awakened mind--is the path of compassion and wisdom. Along the way, we practice what are known as the six paramitas: generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and insight. In this class we will study commentaries on the paramitas by Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. The class includes instruction in two types of meditation practice, shamatha and tong-lin, and also instruction on contemplations.

7 pm - 9 pm, March 11 - April 1, 2008, plus one day intensive

Open to all

$60/$50 members; $10 for copies of commentaries

Taught by Tom Brothers and Charlie Dillingham

For more information, or to register, contact Tom Brothers at thomas.brothers@duke.edu.

As the second of the four dignities, this level focuses on cultivating sharp, vibrant and uplifted energy through natural discipline. Overcoming the trap of doubt, the warrior of perky is able to accomplish his or her activities with a sense of nobility and ease.

Prerequisite: Meek Shambhala Training

March 14 - 16, 2008

$175/$150 members

Taught by Tom Haynes

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

Through the practice of meditation, we glimpse unconditional goodness as the ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as gentle and compassionate human beings.

Open to all

March 29 - 30, 2008

$125/$100 members and advance registration; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

With trust in basic goodness and daring to experience the sharp edge of reality, we move forward with gentleness, increased awareness, and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is. We can extend ourselves to others fully and with kindness.

Prerequisite: Level III Shambhala Training

April 18 - 20, 2008

$150/$125 members; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

This course introduces students to the principles of the tantric path of Vajrayana Buddhism. Readings are drawn primarily from the book Journey Without Goal, which was compiled from a series of lectures given by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche at the Naropa Institute in 1974. This course provides a direct and experiential picture of the tantric world, with emphasis on the practice of meditation.

7 pm - 9 pm, April 22 - May 20, 2008

Open to all

$60/$50 members; work/study options available

Taught by Tom Holmes and Jim Moody

For more information, or to register, contact Jim Moody at jwm.retired@yahoo.com

These fruitional dignities refer to the extraordinary skill of a practiced warrior. No longer afraid of making mistakes, the unconventional and visionary perspective of the outrageous warrior combines with the skill of spontaneous inscrutability to create benefit for others on a large scale.

Prerequisite: Perky Shambhala Training

June 13 - 15, 2008

$175/$150 members; work/study options available

Taught by Lance Brunner

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

This weekend program teaches how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists; an introduction to membership in Shambhala, a living context for building a sane society.

Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Level V

August 22 - 24, 2008

$175/$150 members; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

Through the practice of meditation, we glimpse unconditional goodness as the ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as gentle and compassionate human beings.

Open to all

September 20 - 21, 2008

$125/$100 members and advance registration; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

Developing Windhorse is based on the idea that Great Eastern Sun is creating an atmosphere in which you are constantly moving forward, recharging energy all the time. It is a sense of actually taking advantage of your world in the fullest sense, living in your world in the fullest way. So the idea for the genuine warrior is to discover for oneself that there are a lot of resources in oneself constantly.

Prerequisite: Great Eastern Sun Shambhala Training

October 17 - 19, 2008

$175/$150 members; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

In Shambhala Training Level II: Birth of the Warrior, we examine our habitual tendencies, fears, and defense mechanisms; building on the foundation of the meditation practice introduced in Shambhala Training Level I.

Prerequisite: Level I Shambhala Training

November 14 - 16, 2008

$125/$100 members and advance registration; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

Through exploring the depth of perception, one engages the elemental and magical strength inherent in the world. The principle of drala refers to the sacred energy and power that exists when we step beyond aggression.

Prerequisite: Windhorse Shambhala Training

January 16 - 18, 2009

$200; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net

Developing fearlessness by examining our habitual tendencies, we are willing to experience our life without relying on the cocoon. We begin to engage the world directly and extend the attitude of fearlessness to our activities.

Prerequisite: Level II Shambhala Training

February 20 - 22, 2009

$125/$100 members and advance registration; work/study options available

For more information, or to register, contact Susan Head at susanhead1@verizon.net