Shambhala Meditation Instructors

Shambhala Meditation Instructors, or MIs, are trained to help practitioners grow their practice. Meditation instructors give initial instruction at the Center on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. (Open House) and most Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. (”Nyinthun”), except when there is a special weekend program. To find out when there are special programs instead of Nyinthun on Sunday, you can check the calendar.

Meditation instructors also provide on-going individual guidance to Shambhala Center members and other practitioners who have made a personal connection to the Center by attending a weekend or evening class or regular attendance at Tuesday night Open House or Sunday Nyinthun. Having a personal MI gives the practitioner a chance to ask questions, seek resources and information, and just talk about meditation and the path of Dharma with someone who is experienced and well trained in meditation. Meditation Instructors can help a student mature her/his spiritual journey by clarifying meditation instructions and offering suggestions for deepening one’s study and practice. There is no charge for initial or ongoing meditation instruction.

General Responsibilities of a Buddhist Meditation Instructor:

    Instruct students in the practice of shamatha/vipashyana on an ongoing basis.

  • Understand the practice of shamatha and vipashyana, trained to see that is developing in their students, and give appropriate guidance to deepen the student’s meditation.
  • Understand the basic principles of abhidharma (structure of ego and mind) according to the Buddhist tradition.
  • Give group instruction as needed.
  • Maintain personal practice connection on a daily basis and engage in intensive retreat or group practice annually.
  • Understand the ethics, culture, and view of Shambhala and give postmeditation guidance to students on that basis.
  • Understand when meditation instruction is not appropriate or sufficient and when to encourage students to seek guidance from other trained professionals.

Guidelines and Requirements to become Meditation Instructors:

  • Graduate of Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary
  • Personal commitment to the Vidyadhara and the Sakyong
  • Personal commitment to Shambhala through full membership in a Shambhala Center
  • Three recommendations — usually one from a resident director, one from a personal instructor, one from a senior teacher — that the candidate will successfully instruct.
  • Review and acceptance by Shambhala International

Portland Meditation Instructor List
To discuss having a Meditation Instructor (MI), please contact David Parker, our MI Coordinator, to schedule an interview. David works with all the Meditation Instructors and can help find a good match for your needs.

  • Ann Cason
  • Anandi Gefroh
  • Bettina Hetz
  • Davee Evans
  • David Parker
  • Doug McCanne
  • Gardner Murphy
  • Rayna Jacobson
  • Irene Lundquist
  • Jack Bodner
  • Jay Stewart
  • John Smith
  • Jorjan Parker
  • Kristen Mullen
  • Larry Haun
  • Lesa Ricci
  • Marco Noailles
  • Penny Peterson
  • Ray Sten

 

 
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