Membership

Palm Beach Shambhala Membership

Becoming a member of the Palm Beach Shambhala Meditation Group is a statement about your personal inspiration, curiosity, and commitment to the path of awakening. It means participating in a community of practitioners who aspire to relate to each other with honesty, warmth, and openness. We inspire one another to deepen our practice of mindfulness, awareness and compassion. We also provide each other an opportunity to practice compassion and patience.

SHAMBHALA operates entirely through the care and contributions of its members. We depend upon one another for the energy and generosity that make our programs possible, and for the creativity and kindness that provide a space for all to practice and study. Everyone is invited to become a member of the Palm Beach Shambhala Meditation Group.

A MEMBER of Shambhala makes a connection to mindfulness-awareness practice, and works to integrate that practice into daily life. As part of the global mandala of Shambhala,members are dedicated to creating enlightened society.


Membership is a way to express appreciation for what Shambhala provides and help make it available to others. This involves three areas of engagement and support:

Practicing meditation

Making a connection to mindfulness-awareness meditation or related contemplative practice and integrating this practice into daily life is considered the best way for members to support Shambhala and benefit the world and ourselves.  In addition to individual and group practice, members can take advantage of our classes and special programs throughout the year.

Volunteering

All of the work of our Center and much of the work of the Shambhala global community is done by volunteers. Giving our time and talents to the work of the community is a vital form of support and viewed as part of members’ practice.  There are many ways to help. Members donate time based on their interests and personal availability.

Some volunteer opportunities at Palm Beach Shambhala include:

Hospitality: assisting with registration, welcoming new guests, helping with food and beverage service
Uplifting the environment: cleaning and organizing practice spaces and materials
Ikebana: assisting with flower and other arrangements to provide a welcoming and wakeful environment
Program staffing: providing support for PBS classes and retreats

Providing financial support

The Palm Beach Shambhala Meditation Group depends entirely upon the financial generosity of its members in order to operate. Members are asked to make regular financial contributions. The amount of support is always based on one’s ability to contribute. Of course, one can make a financial contribution without becoming a member.

 

Fill out our membership form online and our membership coordinator will be in touch with you.

 

Why does membership matter?

Although membership is not required to participate in much of what Palm Beach Shambhala has to offer, without our community’s financial and volunteer support, we would not be able to offer all the wonderful programs, practice sessions, and events that we do.  It is because of our members that the profound tradition of meditation is able to survive and flourish. Payment of membership dues is the financial backbone of our Shambhala Center.

What are the benefits of membership?

Connection with our community by becoming a member helps support your practice and strengthen your understanding of Shambhala Buddhism in many ways:

 

Those who are in the sangha are warriors, because they are trying to overcome samsara. Members of the sangha support one another and care for one another. They are not perfect, but they inspire us because they are people who want to deepen their practice of mindfulness, awareness and compassion. The sangha is also a container. When we practice together, the sangha helps our discipline. We realize that there are other people around who are going through the same thing. That gives us a feeling of encouragement.
– Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche