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The Way of Shambhala II Way of Shambhala II builds on Way of Shambhala I. It includes Shambhala Training Sacred Path weekend programs and Buddhist study weeknight courses. You may take the sequence of weekend programs without taking the weeknight courses or vice versa. The weeknight courses may be taken in any order. Completion of the entire curriculum is a prerequisite for Sutrayana Seminary. Completion of the weekend programs is a prerequisite for Warriors Assembly.
Program Descriptions Great Eastern Sun This weekend program teaches us how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists, and includes an introduction to membership in Shambhala - a living context for building a sane society. Windhorse Introduction and instruction for the practice of "raising windhorse" is given, which opens the heart and refreshes one's confidence. The practice is a way to bring about skillful and heartfelt social engagement, enabling the warrior to go forward in the midst of whatever challenges occur. Drala 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. Meek and Perky "The four dignities" are introduced as a path and a process, which describe a warrior's maturing and widening sphere of benevolent engagement in the world. The training in the dignities allows one to maintain awareness and delight at each stage. Meek is a study of the grounded, humble and gentle beginning stages of a warrior's journey. Here one trains to overcome arrogance--the primary obstacle to learning. Perky is the second of the four dignities and 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. Outrageous and Inscrutable The third and fourth dignities, Outrageous and Inscrutable, emphasize fruition and 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.
Weeknight Course Descriptions Note that the weekly courses of Way of Shambhala II are not scheduled to follow the weekend courses as in Way of Shambhala I. These courses can be taken separate from the weekends as prerequisites are met. Karma and The Twelve Nidana's The complex workings of karma are examined through the teachings on the "Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination." These twelve links, or nidanas, are one of the best known Buddhist explanations of the causal chain-reaction of confusion, which creates the perpetual cycle of suffering called samsara. By looking directly at the experience of mind, we begin to understand our apparent confusion about ourselves and the phenomena of our world, and how it could be interrupted thus allowing wakeful wisdom to manifest. Lojong Coupling practical advice with penetrating wisdom, the teachings on lojong offer a workable way to develop genuine compassion in our daily lives. Based on Atisha's original Seven Points of Mind Training, this course introduces two essential practices of the bodhisattva warrior: Tonglen (Exchanging Self For Other), and contemplation of the Lojong slogans. Through these two Mahayana practices, we find ourselves developing openness naturally and gaining greater skills in helping others. Lineage and Devotion The principles of transmission and the student/teacher relationship are introduced as a central component to advancing on the Shambhala Buddhist Path. Included is an overview of the path of devotion according to the three yanas, or vehicles, of Tibetan Buddhism; and an introduction to the central lineage figures of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition and the living, up-to-date nature of their life examples. Journey Without Goal The Shambhala Buddhist tradition includes the special practices and path of tantra, or the Vajrayana, which are the pinnacle of view and skillful means that leads to ultimate wisdom and compassion. This course provides a glimpse of the tantric world and it's requisites: the tantric student/teacher relationship, transmission of the teachings from teacher to student, "abhisheka" or empowerment, and the principles of vajra nature, mandala, the five Buddha families, and "sacred world." Emptiness This course offers an in-depth exploration of the meaning of one of the most famous and yet difficult teachings of the Buddha --The Heart Sutra. When the Heart Sutra was first taught, it is said that this proclamation of emptiness was so powerful that several highly realized disciples died of heart attacks on the spot. Yet today we can read it without missing a beat! By studying and contemplating the sutra line by line, mixing view with practice, and reflecting on experiences of emptiness in our everyday experience, this course brings these esoteric teachings to life.
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