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Shambhala?
ericcris10sen
Veteran
Ok, so I decided to go and try out one of the meditation groups in my area. And one of them was a Shambhala meditation. Umm...what I'm wondering is if anyone has EVER been to one of these kinds of meditations. The people who were there were VERY friendly. lol I'm kinda laughing because I don't want to come off rude or anything, but after the meditation, there was a chant that we had to do (I really didn't chant because I wasn't really used to it), but it was about this warrior god. The chant was supposed to be about him helping everyone out in the ways of enlightenment or in the ways of curing the ignorance, and how the Shambhala chanters were something like warriors.
I have to say, in my mind it was VERY strange. My last meditation group I was at in California, we would just take the three refuges, and then meditate. And afterwards, he would talk a little bit and answer any questions that someone might have.
I REALLY like the people there, they're really friendly and all, but that chanting really kinda pushes me away from going back. So does anyone know if this is what people who practice or follow Shambhala do? Anyone else been to these and the chanting seem somewhat strange?
Also, I'm probably going to go to a different area, because it seems like the meditation also is on Wed which is my day off. But I'm not sure
I have to say, in my mind it was VERY strange. My last meditation group I was at in California, we would just take the three refuges, and then meditate. And afterwards, he would talk a little bit and answer any questions that someone might have.
I REALLY like the people there, they're really friendly and all, but that chanting really kinda pushes me away from going back. So does anyone know if this is what people who practice or follow Shambhala do? Anyone else been to these and the chanting seem somewhat strange?
Also, I'm probably going to go to a different area, because it seems like the meditation also is on Wed which is my day off. But I'm not sure
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If you want to know more about the Shambhala philosophy, read Trungpa's book of the same name.
@Jeffrey yea that's it! That's the one they follow
I speak only for myself, of course. No doubt there is a context I'm missing. Still, I can't imagine what that context could be that would change the flavor of the word "warrior."
Maybe its an unfortunate translation issue...?
I mean, isn't it kind of a battle in itself to keep practicing? For me at least, it's a battle in myself to stay in a meditative state of mind. Or to stop negative thoughts or to keep myself calm if having to drive behind an extremely slow person in the fast lane, or a very impatient person who speeds around risking the lives of others. I dunno lol
The warrior ethos and philosophy is strange. As was Trungpa. I only remember doing the chant once or twice. Personally I did not mind joining in. Otherwise ignore. You don't have to chant in Pali either at other centres.
Sham parts of shamballah can be ignored. I went to one specifically Tantric orientated morning practices. Not my thing at the time. They also offered flower arranging (from the Zen side).
I had a Jewish dharma friend who would not bow to the three jewels as he considered this idolatrous. He was not a practicing Jew but felt it disrespectful to some part of his cultural heritage. He was more then welcome to practice his way.
Be comfortable but also genuine. Explain and discuss how you feel. There is no compulsion . . . That seems useful advice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shambhala_Buddhism
A meditation group that you are in complete ease with, may not provide much of a practise ground to address sufferings cause.
Rather than judging a group on the basis of your comfort, consider instead to check if your mind & heart feel wider for your practise with them.
@how is back! :clap:
@how How TRUE you are. I'm going to try the only other meditation/buddhist group in my area, and if they're more for me, then I'll stick with it, otherwise, I'll go back to the other one. I just enjoy meditating with others lol
These links may help:
http://nalandatranslation.org/offerings/notes-on-the-daily-chants/commentaries/supplication-to-the-shambhala-lineage/
http://nalandatranslation.org/offerings/notes-on-the-daily-chants/commentaries/protector-chants/
All Shambhala centers do opening and closing chants. Most, if not all Tibetan groups do the same thing.
If you don't like it, if the chanting makes you uncomfortable, the easy thing to do is to not go back.
before you get down on the whole warrior thing, I'd suggest you read Trungpa's teaching on the subject. In fact, if you can get yourself back to the center you can ask anyone who's been though the first Shambhala Training level and they'll tell you all about it.
I spent several years with that center. Lot of great people, great teachers and I learned a lot about practice and the Dharma. I was uncomfortable with the chanting at first, but quickly got over that little bit of neurosis, got used to doing it, and actually came to love it.
Your mileage may differ.
@Chaz well I'm going to try another group. I was just stating that it pushed me away in a sense because I'm not used to that. Is it a definite 'no' that I'm never going back to there? No, I still might. The people there were very nice and there wasn't anything about them that I didn't like AT ALL. But I'm going to explore other meditation groups and see just which one I like best. And also yea a couple of them have been through (if I remember correctly) about 5 levels of training.
The main reason I came to here to ask this question was just to see if it was normal for this kind of meditation, to have chanting like this. But it's good to hear all this.
In defense of the practice, speeding up recitation of liturgy is very common. The monastics I practice with are insanely fast in their recitation. Fortunately for me, lay people commonly lead meditation sessions and not the monastics.
You will likely find a similar situation in any number for Buddhist groups you may encounter. It's one of those things you'll get used to it or you won't. In the case of Shambhala, they will often have a ante-room where you can wait until chants are finished. It's totally ok. Some people never get comfortable with chanting for one reason or another and will wait outside until chants are finished and then join in the meditation. They will also leave the meditation room before closing chants. You can do that if you wish. No one there will try to make you do something you're uncomfortable with.
But maybe now the OP is so much happier, perhaps it's appropriate!!
@federica Actually I think that was absolutely acceptable. But their hair styles aren't
I still can't pronounce any of the Tibetan words but I've gotten to where I enjoy hearing others chant and sometimes I will join in when it is in English.
@Dakini Yes most definitely! And the Teacher who travels the world is the one (if I'm not mistaken) that teaches it. I won't be around long enough (unless I get a permanent job here) to complete the language teachings, but if I'm allowed to, I'll stay as long as I can and learn as much as possible in that language.
@riverflow I agree!
So, you're not going to be around Flagstaff for very long? Is this just a temporary work assignment, or something?