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 at the beginning of every class, for anyone who would like to receive instructions. Meditation 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, weekend 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.
Corporate & Private Group Meditation Instruction
The Bangkok Shambhala center is pleased to offer an opportunity to bring the wellness benefits of mindfulness-based meditation into your workplace or for your group, through our private mindfulness meditation sessions.
By establishing a consistent meditation practice, we learn to relax and simply be with whatever is going on in our environment. Over time, meditation helps us cultivate stability, gentleness, humor and courage in the face of all the complexities we experience — our jobs, relationships and all aspects of daily life — so that we can bring sanity, clarity and compassion into our world. These benefits translate especially well into a corporate or team setting, helping reduce stress and anxiety in the workplace, building stronger teams, and contributing to a positive and supportive work environment. This is one of the best ways to invest in the wellness of your employees, and a great option for your company’s wellness budget.
Led by a qualified Shambhala Meditation Instructor, these secular group or individual meditation sessions are designed for corporate settings, and may be offered either virtually, or in-person at your office, or here at the Shambhala center.
Each private group meditation session will equip managers and employees with tools to establish a daily meditation practice, will provide an overview of the many benefits of mindfulness meditation, and will feature a guided practice session with full instructions on working with posture, breath, and thoughts. These sessions are welcoming to both new and continuing meditators. Through synchronizing mind and body in meditation, we create the foundation for a sane and balanced life, allowing employees to return to work more focused and with increased levels of energy.
If you are interested in reserving a group meditation session for your group or company, please contact us at: [email protected] for more information and pricing.
Meditation Instructors
Shambhala meditation instructors are senior Shambhala Buddhist practitioners specially trained and authorized to help people deepen and expand their conceptual and experiential understanding of meditation (see above). We encourage anyone interested in this journey to establish a working relationship with the meditation instructor of her / his choice and keep working with the instructor for as long as doing so feels beneficial.