Meditation

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 Atlanta Shambhala 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 and Tuesday evenings, as part of our Open House program. 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.

Depending on a student’s interest and experience, meditation instruction might include:

Introducing the practice of meditation – Introductory meditation instruction presents the basic meditation techniques taught in the Shambhala community.

Clarifying the view of meditation – In our tradition, meditation instruction involves more than the communication of a technique; it is, at heart, about the transmission of the revolutionary view that unconditional wisdom and compassion are the very ground of our being, and that by learning to relax more and more fully, we allow this fundamental nature to flower.

Instruction on working with obstacles to meditation – Common obstacles to meditation include disheartenment, resistance, procrastination, discursiveness and spacing out. The obstacles are well documented in the Shambhala Buddhist teachings—and so are their antidotes.

Guidance on the path of practice and study – Shambhala presents many opportunities for students to deepen their practice and study—public meditation sessions, weeknight classes, weekend programs, retreats and seminaries, to name a few. A meditation instructor can help you decide what to do next and when to do it.

Guidance on joining meditation and daily life – The workaday world is where the rubber meets the road. Getting the tools to meet life’s ups and downs with a strong and pliable mind and an open heart is another potential benefit of working with a meditation instructor.

 

Meditation is the relaxation and awakening of the mind, body, and heart. It is the simple act of learning to be, just as we are. Through meditation, we see how the mind works, which helps us to transform the patterns that cause stress, anxiety, and depression. Ultimately, meditation opens the door to our own sanity, so that we can lead a more authentic, more compassionate life.

The Atlanta Shambhala Center, with two meditation centers in Metro Atlanta, offers several entrances to the path of meditation:

 

Weekly Open House (Intro to Shambhala & Meditation)

Our weekly Open Houses, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 10:00 AM, are the perfect introduction to mindfulness meditation. The Open House consists of meditation instruction for those who would like it, group meditation practice, a talk by one of our senior teachers, discussion, and a light reception. No registration needed.

 

Learn To Meditate

Join us for more in depth meditation instruction by one of our certified mindfulness meditation instructors at a Learn To Meditate class in Decatur every second Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and in Grant Park every third Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. It costs $50 or “offer what you can afford” and comes with a book on meditation, Turning The Mind Into An Ally. This is recommended for beginners, meditators new to the Shambhala meditation technique, or practitioners looking to refresh their practice.

 

Meditation in Everyday Life

This 4-week course will equip you with tools to establish your own meditation practice.