What we’re about
Welcome to Shambhala! We are a community of meditators all across the greater Los Angeles area. We gather throughout the week to practice meditation, offer instruction to beginners, discuss and contemplate the practice, and celebrate the natural, awake sanity within us.
Go to la.shambhala.org to see all of our current groups, classes and offerings... All are welcome!
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
Meditation is a practice that anyone can do. It is based on the radical idea that the natural state of the mind is not scattered, nervous, and confused, but rather calm, creative, and clear. Practicing regularly provides a way to settle into this natural state more often. At the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles, we begin by training in shamatha or mindfulness meditation. This foundational technique allows you to tune into the present moment, at home, at work, or wherever you go in your day to day life.
"We have to know what we mean by meditation at all. Sometimes we use the word to mean emptying out or letting go. Sometimes we mean relaxation. However, the point of meditation practice is actually to rediscover our hidden neurosis and our hidden sanity at the same time." ― Chögyam Trungpa
ABOUT OUR CENTERS
Shambhala Meditation Center is a non-profit global organization with an open door policy. All are welcome to come and go as you wish. Meditation instruction is provided free of charge by our trained meditation instructors. Please visit us at our new locations during Open Meditation times, or online during our online programs.
See our website for more info! http://la.shambhala.org
We are currently meeting in-person at two locations for Meditation, open to the public:
(Every Sunday, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm)
Shambhala Meditation Center
4200 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
There is ample street parking.
and,
(1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays, 2:30 - 5:30pm)
Quaker Meeting House
1440 Harvard St · Santa Monica, CA
***
Established in 1971, the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles is part of a global community of meditation and retreat centers founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Featured event
Awakened Heart - Meditation & Compassion Winter Retreat
As the year comes to a close, take time to rest your mind and open your heart in a supportive community of practice.
This retreat is based on the traditional Tibetan Lojong teachings—timeless instructions for awakening our hearts and meeting life with compassion. These simple yet profound practices can help us work skillfully with difficult moments and transform how we relate to ourselves and others. They gently shift our perspective, showing us how to engage with the world's challenges and suffering with openness, clarity, and care—right on the spot.
Join for a single day or for the entire 4-day retreat. Plan to attend the whole day(s) for which you register.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR RETREAT
/////////////////////////
EACH DAY WILL INCLUDE:
- Meditation Instruction
- Mindfulness/Awareness Sitting Practice
- Walking Meditation
- Guided Contemplations
- Tonglen (Sending and Taking) Practice
- Dharma Talks
- Group Discussions
- Gentle Movement Exercises
The final day will conclude with a joyful celebration as we dedicate our practice and welcome the new year.
/////////////////////////
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS RETREAT:
Everyone is welcome! There are no prerequisites to attend. No prior experience with meditation required.
Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat offers a welcoming space to deepen your practice and connect with others on the path.
/////////////////////////
Cost of Retreat
Cost: $45 per day | $150 for all 4 days
No one turned away due to lack of funds.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR RETREAT
Upcoming events
124
- Network event
Awakened Heart - Meditation & Compassion Winter Retreat
Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles, 4200 Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA, US14 attendees from 9 groupsAs the year comes to a close, take time to rest your mind and open your heart in a supportive community of practice.
This retreat is based on the traditional Tibetan Lojong teachings—timeless instructions for awakening our hearts and meeting life with compassion. These simple yet profound practices can help us work skillfully with difficult moments and transform how we relate to ourselves and others. They gently shift our perspective, showing us how to engage with the world's challenges and suffering with openness, clarity, and care—right on the spot.
Join for a single day or for the entire 4-day retreat. Plan to attend the whole day(s) for which you register.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR RETREAT
/////////////////////////
EACH DAY WILL INCLUDE:
- Meditation Instruction
- Mindfulness/Awareness Sitting Practice
- Walking Meditation
- Guided Contemplations
- Tonglen (Sending and Taking) Practice
- Dharma Talks
- Group Discussions
- Gentle Movement Exercises
The final day will conclude with a joyful celebration as we dedicate our practice and welcome the new year.
/////////////////////////
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS RETREAT:
Everyone is welcome! There are no prerequisites to attend. No prior experience with meditation required.
Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat offers a welcoming space to deepen your practice and connect with others on the path.
/////////////////////////
Cost of Retreat
Cost: $45 per day | $150 for all 4 days
No one turned away due to lack of funds.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR RETREAT2 attendees from this group - Network event
Silence & Celebration: A New Year’s Eve Meditation Gathering
Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles, 4200 Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA, US15 attendees from 9 groupsThis New Year's Eve, let us step into 2026 with intention!
Take a breath, make a cup of tea - or glass of eggnog - and join Shambhala Los Angeles for a unique New Year's Eve community event celebrating the poignant joy of our beautiful world and our precious life through the practice of meditation.
Attend in-person or online via Zoom (hybrid).
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Whether you're a seasoned meditator or just curious, this event offers a refreshing alternative to the usual revelry. Experience the power of group meditation, connect with a welcoming community of like-minded individuals, and cultivate a sense of well-being and friendliness to carry into the new year.
OPEN TO ALL
This mini-retreat is open to the public! You don't need to pre-register to attend in person. Drop in at any point throughout the evening.
COME AND GO ON YOUR SCHEDULE
Come for the entire evening or for any part of it, to meditate and celebrate with old friends and make new ones. Enjoy light snacks and refreshments in person at our center or online from the comfort of your home as we transition from the old to the new, cultivating wakefulness and societal well-being.
JOIN US IN PERSON OR ONLINE
This event will be both in person and online (hybrid). Register today and step into the new year with clarity and connection! Walk-ins welcome. You must register below to receive the Zoom link for virtual attendance.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER2 attendees from this group
Past events
2457
