Core Curriculum

 

To experience more spaciousness in your life, cultivate positive qualities, and increase your sharpness and discernment, Pioneer Valley Shambhala Meditation Center offers a core curriculum of meditation training and supporting courses.

The 5 Shambhala Training Levels and 5 Everyday Life courses are the foundation of an extensive curriculum called the ‘Way of Shambhala.’ These courses nurture the seeds of our innate potential for awakening.

A brief summary of the Training Levels and the Everyday Life courses is given below. All courses and retreats held through PVSMC are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation.

 

The Everyday Life Series and the Shambhala Training Series

Anyone may take either the Everyday Life courses or the Shambhala Training weekend retreats exclusively. We encourage concurrent participation in both, if possible, as the combination can profoundly deepen and extend meditation.

Course 1: Meditation in Everyday Life

The Meditation in Everyday Life course is designed to provide participants with the introductory tools and teachings for working with meditation in daily life. With simple instructions and support, mindfulness meditation practice can become part of our lives, bringing greater stability, strength, and clarity. Open to all

Weekend Retreat 1: The Art of Being Human

Through the practice of meditation, we begin to glimpse that goodness—rather than confusion—is the unconditional ground of our existence. Opening to ourselves with gentleness and appreciation, we begin to see our potential as genuine and compassionate human beings. Open to all

Weekend Retreat 2: Birth of the Warrior

Having experienced a taste of basic goodness in Level I, we want to learn more. Meditation practice allows us to observe how we create a cocoon of habits to mask underlying fear. We begin to appreciate that there is no fundamental obstacle to experiencing basic goodness. Prerequisite: Weekend Retreat 1

Course 2: Contentment in Everyday Life

This course provides an exploration of genuine contentment, the foundational views of the Buddhist teachings, and meditation in action for daily life. With meditation practice, we can learn to appreciate ourselves and simple human experiences, free from self-aggression. Difficult emotions and the challenges of life can be met with gentleness, steadiness, and humor. Open to all

Weekend Retreat 3: Warrior in the World

Examining our habitual tendencies, we begin to look at our willingness 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: Weekend Retreat 2

Course 3: Joy in Everyday Life

As meditation practice expands and we develop trust in basic goodness, we can begin to discover the confidence and personal energy to go forward on the journey. Joining gentleness with discipline leads to a sense of joy. The mahayana teachings on compassion can become the inspiration for a life of bravery and freedom from doubt. Open to all (recommended preparation: Contentment in Everyday Life)

Weekend Retreat 4: Awakened Heart

Trusting further 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 find that we can extend ourselves to others fully and with kindness. Prerequisite: Weekend Retreat 3

Course 4: Fearlessness in Everyday Life

Learning to work with our anxiety, we are not blocked by fear. Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings on mind and the nature of reality, we learn to see clearly. We dare to face life and death as they are. The meditator, open to uncertainty, goes beyond the emotions of hope and fear to experience equanimity. Prerequisite: Joy in Everyday Life

Weekend Retreat 5: Open Sky

Communicating with the world gently and fearlessly, our awareness is sharpened and we find the open clear sky of mind—a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy. We learn to trust our nature enough to let go into the present moment. Prerequisite:Weekend Retreat 4

Course 5: Wisdom in Everyday Life

Meditation sharpens our intelligence and uncovers our wisdom. Participants receive practical instructions for discovering trust and magic, even in the midst of challenge. No longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, we can include everything as part of the path. The challenges of daily life become opportunities for both contemplative practice and social and ecological action. Prerequisite: Fearlessness in Everyday Life