About

 

Individuals connect with Pioneer Valley Shambhala Meditation Center for a variety of reasons. Some folks want to develop a meditation practice to tame and clarify restless minds. Others are drawn to the Shambhala weekend retreats, or courses on the Buddhadharma. Many of us simply want to belong to a community of like-minded meditators with shared values of kindness and caring. At the heart of everything we do is the principle that human beings are basically good. Experience shows that through study and the practice of meditation, we can feel and manifest that basic goodness in our daily lives, so that it informs our actions, relationships, and society at large. 

In summary, we share a dedication to cultivating personal and societal sanity, clarity, and compassion. Our approach is nonsectarian and grounded in the Shambhala and Buddhist teachings.  

Pioneer Valley Shambhala Meditation Center, like other local centers, is affiliated with the global Shambhala community of about 150 meditation centers in over 30 countries.

As a nonprofit organization, we are supported entirely by income from our programs and classes, as well as the monthly sustaining contributions of Members and Friends of the Center In addition to their financial support, Members also invest time and energy in helping with some aspect of running the Center. 

Friends of Shambhala  

If you feel a connection to our community of meditators and the programs and teachings we offer, please consider becoming a Friend by supporting the Center with a sustaining monthly contribution that fits your budget. 

If you are interested in finding our more about membership, contact:

[email protected]

 

Care and Conduct

At the Pioneer Valley Shambhala Meditation Center we strive to provide a safe, supportive and respectful environment for the practice and study of the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings and meditation.  We applaud and fully support all of our new care and conduct polices. Links to these policies can be found at the code of conduct hub. Explore the Process menu on this page for resources on what to do if you have a concern. Support from a Code of Conduct Facilitator can be accessed here.

Creating a safe space is everyone’s responsibility.  This means being mutually mindful of our conduct.

For more about the history and intent of the policy, please go to Addressing Harm and Promoting Community Care in Shambhala.

 

Covid 19 Policy:  As of October 8, 2024, masks are available and we respond to masking requests, but no protocol is being followed systematically. Persons who test positive for Covid within a week of attending an event at the Center are asked to notify PVSMC at [email protected]. We have one air filter running during all of our programming, and are in the process of purchasing 2 more.