Meditation Instruction

In Shambhala, mindfulness-awareness meditation is the foundation of everything we do. Originating from Shakyamuni Buddha about 2,600 years ago, this practice is the art of resting the mind, opening the heart, and appreciating what it is to be fully human.

“Meditation is looking at our own backyard, you could say, looking at what we really have and discovering the richness that already exists.”

—Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Meditation Instructors

Perhaps the Brunswick Portland Shambhala Center’s most valuable offering, meditation instruction is available to anyone, free of charge. We offer introductory instruction to newcomers and follow-up instruction to other practitioners.

Shambhala meditation instructors are senior Shambhala Buddhist practitioners specially trained and authorized to help people deepen and expand their conceptual and experiential understanding of meditation (see below).

We encourage anyone interested in this journey to establish a working relationship with the meditation instructor of her/his choice and keep working with the instructor for as long as doing so feels beneficial.
To set up a meeting with a meditation instructor contact the Coordinator, Sarah Chandler at [email protected] or 207-865-1907.

For introductory meditation instruction we also have Shambhala Guides who can provide initial instruction.  See the list below and contact Sarah for an appointment.

Brunswick Portland Shambhala Center meditation instructors currently available are listed below.

Name
Role at Center
Motivation
How Having a MI has helped me

 

Kathy Bither
Center Director
My motivation is to be of benefit to anyone who would like help with meditation and navigating the sanity of life.
My MI has helped me with confidence, motivation and providing an ear.

 

Chip Carpenter
 *
My motivation is helping others along the path in any way I can. I work with students in the Solon/Skowhegan/Waterville Area.
They helped me when obstacles arose in my practice. I also experienced their ability to give me space to see my own wisdom nature.

 

Sarah Chandler
 MI Coordinator
I enjoy sharing and interacting with others. I have experience and training to be an MI that I hope can be useful to others. But additionally, meeting with students and assisting them, inspires my
It was important for me to have someone I could turn to within the sangha. I always valued my MI for more than assistance with my meditation
Michael Doucet
Shambhala Art Teacher, Parts 1 -3
What motivates me to be an MI is helping others and answering questions about Shambhala, creativity and the path.
They helped me by honestly asking what blind sides or obstacles I might have, how to be a better practitioner, gaining insights into what to expect on the path and how to be more grounded.
Kristen Lombard

 

Angela Lutzenberger
Head of Culture and Decorum
My dedication to the path of waking up and genuine kindness is my primary motivation. We need one another to grow into insight and wakefulness, to simultaneously recognize our full-of-crap-ness and our completely trustworthy sanity.
They helped refine my understanding of practice, helped me further discern interpretation from understanding and discern differences between understanding and experience. They have all greatly helped guide me along on my path.

 

Toby Sifton
 *
Everyone needs a kalyanamitra. [spiritual friend or one who looks out for a student’s welfare on the path]
They poked holes in my concepts and encouraged maitri [unconditional friendliness towards self which radiates out to others.]
Peter Spano

 

Christopher St. John
Resident Director of Shambhala Training
I am motivated by my Bodhisattva Vow and experiencing being of benefit to some.
I have benefitted from the kindness of many students and MI’s who have brought me to the Shambhala dharma and kept me inspired.

 

Eunice St. John
Former Center Director, Head of Practice
My motivation is the help people along their spiritual path.
They acted as a mirror and as an example, most effectively by being open and listening.

 

Judi Soule
 *
I am motivated by the desire to give back some of what I have received and to share the wisdom of the dharma.
He has been a vital support in my continuing practice. I would be happy if I could pass along even a fraction of the wisdom he has shared with me.

 

Julia Huttel
 *
A wonderful thing it is, to be able to explore and share the spiritual journey of life.
My MI’s (yes, there have been more than one, though only one at a time) have motivated and “unstuck me”, sometimes from complacency, as I moved and move along the path of looking into the nature of my mind. It could be considered a spiritual adventure.

Brunswick /Portland Shambhala Guides

Shambhala Guides are individuals who have received training in offering initial meditation instruction.  In addition, they are available to answer questions about the culture and more general information about what Shambhala Buddhism has to offer.  Feel free to make connection with them at the centers or to ask for initial instruction, contact Sarah Chandler at [email protected] or 207-865-1907 to make an appointment.

In Portland

Karen Monahan
Karen Simpson
Michael Monsell
Tim Fuller
Keely Anderson
Barbara Egan

In Brunswick

Brenda Kelleher
Jess Maurer

In Kittery/Portsmouth
Liz Korabek-Emerson