Stay tuned here to find out more details. You can pre-order now on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Running-Mind-Meditation-Lessons-Training/dp/0307888169

Join us for Open House this Sunday:

10am – 11am Meditation instruction and sitting
11am – 12pm Talk and discussion
12 pm – Refreshments and socializing

This month’s topic: Uncertainty

Our lives generally appear to have a sense of certainty. Things go along in a predictable way. We get up in the morning, expecting the usual events to happen: go to work, school, or, whatever we do. We think, “This is normal, events going in this way.” In truth, however, the world is unpredictable. Our partner could say, “I don’t want to be with you any more.” Our employer might say “There’s not enough work; you’re laid off.” Our program may be defunded; there could be a tsunami, or a flat tire. Anything could happen. The world is unpredictable. We could ask, “Is there anything that is certain?” The teachings of Shambhala state that there is a basic confidence in being able to stay with anything that comes up in life. We call this inherent confidence. It is not dependent on anything at all. This view is encouraged by the practice of meditation. We learn to hold our seat, touch, and explore our experience, encouraging a posture that is open and stable, appreciating the world around us. We find that, in fact, we could ride uncertainty.

“One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it or not: what is the purpose of life? From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness”

- His Holiness Dalai Lama XIV Tendzin Gyatso

Join us for “Soft Heart, Strong Back: Contentment in Everyday Life,” Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30pm starting Sep 27. Register at http://pioneervalley.shambhala.org

September 30–October 1, 2011
New York Society for Ethical Culture
New York City

Mindfulness is a simple yet profound practice that changes lives. If you’re committed to mindful living, or just want to learn more about the transformative power of mindfulness, join us for this landmark gathering of the mindfulness community.

Together, we will explore all the proven, practical ways that mindfulness can benefit our lives and transform our society, from health, work, and family to education, leadership, and policy. This groundbreaking conference will feature keynote presentations by four outstanding leaders in the mindfulness field—Jon Kabat-Zinn, Richard J. Davidson, Janice Marturano, and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan—plus a rich program of dialogue, practice, and breakout sessions.

http://www.eomega.org/omega/mindful-society/?content=AD&source=PMag.SHSUN.land

Monthly Open House
Sunday, July 3rd
10AM – 1PM

Please join us on the first Sunday of the month for an introduction to the Shambhala Center. Come and learn about the variety of programs and opportunities for practice offered here. Group meditation instruction is offered free of charge.

Open House includes an introductory dharma talk and informal reception with refreshments, hosted by senior students of the Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

Talk Topic: Taking Refuge
We will explore the meaning of refuge in our everyday lives and in Buddhism. Can we recognize what we are taking refuge in during our daily lives? What does it mean to take refuge in the Three Jewels, and what does this have to do with being present and awake in the moment? Whether you have taken Refuge Vows or have no idea what they are, please join us for this talk and discussion.

“I like being able to talk to my mom without rolling my eyes. I like my mom. And I like my inner teenager. Nobody taught her to expect that the world could be kind, that other people would be helpful, that gentleness was an option. That simply existing means you have value. We’re learning that now, and we try to speak from that knowledge rather than shouting from habit.”

Read more: http://www.theidproject.org/blog/nancy-thompson/2011/06/25/why-i-meditate-anyway

Contemplative Curriculum Development, August 7-12, 2011
The Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE) will host its 7th annual summer session devoted to cultivating contemplative practices in higher education.

The goal of the five-day session is to bring the discussion of integrating contemplative practice into higher education to the fore, and engage the conversation on a face-to-face level.

The faculty for this year’s session will include:

Daniel Barbezat, Professor of Economics at Amherst College,
Linda-Susan Beard, Associate Professor of English at Bryn Mawr College
Judith Simmer-Brown, Professor of Religious Studies at Naropa University
Joel Upton, Professor of Art and Art History, at Amherst College,
Patricia Wallace, Professor of English at Vassar College, and
Arthur Zajonc, Director of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and professor of physics at Amherst College.

From Daniel Goleman, Mind & Life Institute Meeting, 1990 (http://www.mindandlife.org/dialogues/past-conferences/ml03/)

“A growing body of data ties negative and positive emotional states to wellness or ill health. The negative emotions have a toxic effect on the immune system and on health in general; this has been found true for depression, hostility and anger, and for anxiety, as well as for negative outlooks including pessimism and cynicism, guilt, hopelessness and helplessness. Repression, the denial of negative feeling, is also unhealthy. The adverse effects on health range from raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and viruses. On the other hand, positive emotions strengthen immune function and bring good health. This has been shown for states of happiness, calm and relaxation, compassion, as well as attitudes such as hope, optimism, trust, and being in control.”