The Tampa/St. Petersburg Shambhala Meditation Group is part of an international community of urban meditation and rural retreat centers founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Our center, offers weekly public meditation on Sunday nights, a core curriculum of Buddhist and Shambhala teachings, as well as training in advanced contemplative practices. We invite you to explore our diverse programs designed to help people of all traditions discover their inherent sanity, gentleness and humor.

What is Shambhala?

Throughout history, people have aspired to create societies that express the dignity of human existence within a wise, flourishing culture.  This is the vision of Shambhala- a legendary enlightened society.  The first king of Shambhala is said to have received teachings directly from the Buddha; teachings on the inseparability of spirituality and everday life.

The Tibetan meditation master, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, carried this tradition into the modern world.  He writes,

"The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there is basic human wisdom that can help to solve the world's problems.  This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come only from the West or the East.  Rather it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history."

Warriorship in the Shambhala tradition, is a path of bravery, gentleness, and genuineness.  At the heart of the Shambhala warrior tradition is the view that a brilliant life is accessible to everyone.  Contemplative practices bring a natural sense of fearlessness and humor into our ordinary lives.

"The path of Shambhala is here to awaken us to the potential of our lives.  It teaches us how to live meaningful and vigorously, with joy.  Its ancient but practial wisdom allows us to discover unconditional human confidence.  Through the practice of meditation, we discover that goodness, strength, and wisdom are inherent in our own mind and being.  Having gained this insight, we are able to maneuver through life with courage, intelligence, and compassion.  Daily life become an opportunity to further cultivate these qualities.  In Shambhala this journey is exemplified by the tiger, lion, garuda, and dragon- four animals that each reveal to us a specific wisdom.  As we fully realize these enlightened qualities, we are able to rouse them for a world that desperately needs this knowledge and experience.  I look forward to working with you as we make this journey together."

~Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

At Shambhala St. Petersburg, we offer weekly nyinthun (all-day sittings) on Sundays, as well as an Open House each Sunday from 5:30-7:30pm.  There are also open sittings and contemplation sessions during the week, weeknight classes and book study groups, weekend meditation workshops, and more!  Please come and practice with us soon, and if you would like to receive our email updates of upcoming events please sign up for our mailing list at the top left of this page.

Learn to Meditate Workshop- 12/5/09

What About Me? ~Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche:

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