What We Offer

Meditation Instruction

What is Meditation?

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.

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.

How can I get initial meditation instruction?

You can get initial meditation instruction in a number of ways at our Center. Most people receive their first instruction at Sunday morning sitting or at the Learn to Meditate program offered the first Monday of each Month at 7 p.m. Sunday morning sitting is from 9:00 am to 11:00 am with a tea/coffee social afterwards. The best time to arrive for instruction is between 9:00 and 10:00.

Some people receive their first instruction at Level I of Shambhala Training or an Open House, others attend a class or discussion group where meditation instruction is given, and in some cases it is given individually by appointment.

There is also a public sitting and book discussion group that meets in Encinitas on Wednesday evenings where meditation instruction is available.

The Encinitas group sits at the Anahata Yoga Studio, 960 2nd St. #202, on the corner of 2nd and I Street, from 7:45 – 9:15 p.m.. Daniel Goldstein is the meditation instructor who coordinates the Wednesday evening group. He can be reached at 760-753-3477.

If these times don’t work with your schedule, please email or call the center and we can arrange for you to meet with a meditation instructor at a different time.

What is meditation instruction?

Initial meditation instruction usually lasts half an hour. A meditation instructor (MI) will go over the view of practice from a Shambhala perspective, shrine room etiquette, points of posture, and answer questions that you have about getting started with a sitting practice.

Is there a cost for meditation instruction?

There is no charge for meditation instruction or public sitting.

Why should I get meditation instruction?

We encourage new sitters to receive initial meditation instruction before participating in a public sitting session. (This is a recommendation, not a requirement). Public sitting is open to all regardless of his or her faith tradition.

We offer introductory instruction to newcomers and follow-up instruction to other practitioners. 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.

“Meditation is a very personal journey. Simply by being conscious of the present moment so we can ground ourselves in it, we relax our sense of self and begin to tune into reality as it is.”
Sakyong Mipham