Sacred Path Online: Continuing the Path of the Warrior

Welcome to the Sacred Path Homepage

Shambhala Online is delighted to offer The Sacred Path online over the coming months. Each retreat will be led by an experienced senior teacher who has lived and practiced with these teachings, giving us a rich opportunity to gather as a global community.

Registration for centers and groups:

CLICK HERE to Register your Center or Group for the complete Sacred Path

Registration for individuals:

*NOTE: ‘Rigden Weekend’ is no longer offered, and is no longer a prerequisite for the Sacred Path.

The Sacred Path courses will be translated to a variety of languages. More details will be announced soon.

About:

The Sacred Path is a series of teachings for those who have completed Shambhala Training Levels I-V. It introduces further practices to develop warriorship and extend the student’s training in meditation. These practices are based on a societal vision and aspiration to help the world. This training cultivates one’s dignity and natural gifts in order to widen one’s sphere of compassion.

During a series of visionary experiences that took place between 1976 and 1980, Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche wrote down what became known as the Shambhala terma, a series of texts. The Sacred Path series of retreats is based on these texts and on the extensive commentaries Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave on these teachings and on how to practice them in modern times.

What to expect:

– Daily talks by the Senior Teacher
– Guided meditation sessions
– Time to gather and discuss the teachings
– Opportunity to meet with a meditation instructor
– Additional free talks by senior teachers between each intensive
– Additional opportunities to gather virtually as a community between each course

If you have taken the Sacred Path courses in the past, whether last year or decades ago, why not take the time to refresh your understanding by immersing yourself in these precious teachings that are core to who we are as a community and hear some of our most senior teachers speak to these teachings and our paths as peaceful warriors and meditators.

Dates/Times/Schedule

Please save the date for these live retreats.
(Click here for the levels’ daily schedule.)

*NOTE: ‘Rigden Weekend’ is no longer offered, and is no longer a prerequisite for the Sacred Path.

1: Great Eastern Sun
With Dhi Griffin Good and Denise Weunsch
October 1-2, 2022
This weekend program teaches how to see the Great Eastern Sun, the primordial energy and brilliance that is the basis of all that exists; an introduction to membership in Shambhala—a living context for building a sane society.

2: Windhorse
With Agness Au
November 4-6, 2022
One studies the text that gives the instruction for “raising windhorse,” which opens the heart and refreshes one’s confidence. The practice is a way to bring about skillful and heartfelt social engagement, enabling the warrior to go forward in the midst of whatever challenges occur.

3: Drala
With Daniele Bollini
January 20-21, 2023
Through exploring the depth of perception, one engages the elemental and magical strength inherent in the world. The principle of drala refers to the sacred energy and power that exists when we step beyond aggression.

4: The Four Dignities: Tiger and Lion
With Gaylon Ferguson and other teachers
February 18 & March 4, 2023, plus additional weekly gatherings TBA

“The four dignities” are introduced as a path and a process, which describe a warrior’s maturing and widening sphere of benevolent engagement in the world. The training in the dignities allows one to maintain awareness and delight at each stage. ‘Tiger’ is a study of the grounded, humble and gentle beginning stages of a warrior’s journey. Here one trains to overcome arrogance—the primary obstacle to learning.

As the second of the four dignities, ‘Lion’ level focuses on cultivating sharp, vibrant and uplifted energy through natural discipline. Overcoming the trap of doubt, the warrior of perky is able to accomplish his or her activities with a sense of nobility and ease..

5: The Four Dignities: Garuda and Dragon
With Gaylon Ferguson
March 25 & April 8, 2023, plus additional weekly gatherings TBA.

These fruitional dignities refer to the extraordinary skill of a practiced warrior. No longer afraid of making mistakes, the unconventional and visionary perspective of the outrageous warrior combines with the skill of spontaneous inscrutability to create benefit for others on a large scale.

6: Golden Key
With Alice Haspray
May 12-14, 2023
This program is based on a Shambhala text that works with our relationship to the “material world” and our sense perceptions. It teaches the practice of enriching

The Sacred Path is a progressive series of retreats, meaning each weekend is a requirement for the following weekend. If you have already completed some of these weekends, feel free to repeat the levels you have already attended, or jump in where you left off.

It is expected that when you register for each retreat that you are committing to attend the full retreat. If you have scheduling conflicts, please reach out to Camren at [email protected] as soon as you know. We will work to try to find a solution for you.

Registration and Pricing

**If registering as a Centre/Group, follow the “Centre/Group” links within each registration page above to register

No one will be turned away due to financial considerations. That being said, the pricing below allows us to pay for the production of these programs, which is more robust than you might imagine. Shambhala forms in a unique virtual environment. With that in mind, we’ve tried to create a pricing structure that is not cost-prohibitive, but makes it possible for anyone to attend.

Individuals
1. If you are a member of a Shambhala Centre or Group:
Check with a centre or group leader in your local community to see if they are offering the online Sacred Path, and how you can register with them directly.

2. If you are a solo practitioner (or if your Centre or Group is not offering this Shambhala Online series):
Not to worry. You are fully held within this unique meditation practice space. You can register as an individual and get the full experience. In fact, we are building these retreats especially for you. A space to practice, listen, share, and explore your world through the eyes of meditation.

Individual Pricing:
$149 per program – helping Shambhala thrive price
$216 per program – scholarship sponsor price – this directly sponsors a meditator in need

If you can afford to pay a different amount, please reach out to Andy at [email protected] to make an arrangement.

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Pricing for Centre/Group and Affiliate Program
Centre – all 5 Retreats – $2000–> Click here to register
Centre – single Retreat- $499
Group – all 5 Retreats – $1500
Group – single Retreat – $350

**Centres or groups – we hope that this pricing represents a real value for you and your members. Centres and groups that need a break on this pricing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Diane at Registrar @shambhalaonline.org to discuss your needs. We will find the pricing structure that works best for you, even if it means thinking outside the box. It is important that you and your members are able to participate fully and without worry in these times.

Affiliate Opportunities for Centres and Groups:

If your Center/Group does not want to register with Shambhala Online, you can still capture revenue by becoming an Affiliate. This option is recommended for small Centers with a limited number of potential participants. Affiliates will receive 20% of the program price paid by each participant who registers via your Center’s registration links.

Contact Andy at [email protected] with any additional questions about being an affiliate.

What is expected of Affiliate Centers or Groups?

At least two (2) email blasts to your list(s) with your unique Sacred Path registration link included for EACH Level for which you’d like to be an Affiliate.
- i.e., if you come on board as an affiliate for the entire Sacred Path series, that would mean that this registration link would be included in 10 communications/newsletters to your list. If you sign up as an affiliate for only 2 levels, that would mean you would include the link in four (4) communications/newsletters to your list.
Listing the Sacred Path Online on your Center/Group website’s home page with your unique registration link for at least 1 month before each level.
(Optional but recommended) Social Media posts that include your unique registration link.