What we’re about
The Shambhala Meditation Center of Portland is part of the global community of Shambhala. Meditation provides benefits to our sense of wellbeing, engagement with our minds, relationships, our society, nature and our world. Our vision is to create a culture of kindness and care, where our community connections support our spiritual path. Our programs, groups and community gatherings offer a way to study and practice teachings from the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Please join us in this journey!
In-Person & Online Offerings
Currently we meet in-person on Tuesday evenings, as well as every third Saturday morning at our temporary rental space at SE 25th & Madison. (We are in the process of looking for a new permanent physical location.) All other programs and groups are being held virtually over Zoom with some events held outdoors.
Many people attend Portland Shambhala events through different avenues. Even though there's often not many RSVPs for our events on MeetUp, there are many people who do attend! If you want to know how many people are registered and are going to attend an event, send us a message through MeetUp or write to hello@portland.shambhala.org and we will tell you!
ℹ️ More info at https://portland.shambhala.org
📅 For a complete listing of programs and events, view our monthly calendar
📨 To stay updated about new program offerings, subscribe to our newsletter
❓ Questions? Write to us at hello@portland.shambhala.org.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Decompress + Connect! Friday Night Meditation GroupTaborSpace, Portland, OR
Decompress and connect at the end of your work week with meditation practice and community. This event is in partnership with the Young Meditators Group of Portland.
This open session offers 20 minutes of silent meditation followed by a meditative talking circle practice, and the opportunity to connect and socialize afterwards at a local pub.
No experience required, and meditators of all traditions are welcome.
Cushions will be provided but feel free to bring your own.SCHEDULE
6:30 – 7:00PM Silent Meditation
During this session, you may come and go freely but please help maintain the silence.7:00 – 7:25PM Meditative Talking Circle
Resting on the foundation of meditation practice, this talking circle practice expands to include others in the circle. While maintaining a meditation practice, members of the circle are welcome to speak from the present moment, though speaking is not required to participate. Instructions will be provided at the beginning so please arrive on time for this part of the practice.7:25PM Closing and Social
There will be some time after group to connect after practice, after which the group may choose to go out for drinks and snacks at a nearby pub within walking distance.This is a free event.
Donations are welcome! Suggested donation amount $5-10
You Can Donate Here - Sunday Community Meditation ONLINELink visible for attendees
Explore and deepen your experience of meditation and mindfulness on Sunday mornings with the Shambhala community. Practice opens with our heartfelt, aspiration-setting morning chants followed by silent meditation.
If you like, stay for a short, inspiring dharma conversation from 10 – 10:20 am. We’ll use a paragraph or two from a book as a jumping off point. Right now, we’re reading The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams.
No preparation is needed. Meditators of all levels of experience are welcome.
🔶 ZOOM LINK TO JOIN:
🔗 https://portland.shambhala.org/zoom-open-meditation/Zoom Meeting ID: 817 700 397
Passcode: 108❓For questions or technical issues, email hello@portland.shambhala.org
ℹ️ For more information, check out our calendar and website at https://portland.shambhala.org/
🌸 Leave a Donation
- Drala Hike no.1 - Catherine Creek TrailNeeds location
You have to register for this event through the Portland Shambhala Website! Link to register here, registration closes 11:59pm Thursday.
Join us for a wildflower hike in the eastern Columbia River Gorge along Labyrinth creek through basalt outcroppings with a waterfall up to meadows with views of the east Gorge and Mt Hood. We will be combining hiking with meditation and observing noble silence.
This is the first of 8 Drala Hikes planned for this Summer! Check our website for more information, and we'll be posting the rest of the Drala Hikes here on Meetup as well.
###
### Details:
- Hiking Difficulty: Strenouous (steep trail, rocky in spots, elevation gain)
- Distance: 4.7 miles
- Elevation: 1,133 ft
We’ll go slow. Since the hike is out and back, those who don’t wish to go on up can sit and wait for the group to come back on the return trip.
What to Bring: Water, lunch, rain gear if rain is forecast, and a kneeling pad or something else to sit on for occasional stops for sitting meditation. The trail is loaded in places with poison oak, so wear long pants.
Meeting Time: 10:30 AM
Meeting Location: Syncline Trail East Trailhead <https://maps.app.goo.gl/fosZwdG92goYsBWU8>
Driving directions: Take I-84 to exit 64 for Mt. Hood/White Salmon and take the bridge over to the Washington side ($1.75 toll). Continue east on WA-14E for 5.8 miles and turn left onto Old Hwy 8 and park.
Return Time: About 5:30 pm to Portland
Hike leaders: Annie Popkin and David Parker
Car Pool: 10:30 am at the Trailhead or carpool 69 miles each way leaving SE Harrison St between 20th and 21st Ave at 9:00 am. If you wish to carpool contact hike leaders David Parker and Annie Popkin through Liz Howell, Drala Hike Coordinator. Contribution to the driver is calculated at 30 cents/mile to be split among riders + any additional tolls or parking fees### Registration:
Registration online helps avoid the pen and paper contact involved in filling out emergency contact and release forms in person. When you register (below), you will be asked to list an emergency contact's name and number and to check a box indicating that you consent to this release form (releasing Shambhala from liability). Please register by the end of the day on Thursday, April 24.
"By relaxing the mind, you can reconnect with that primordial, original ground, which is completely pure and simple. Out of that, through the medium of your perceptions, you can discover magic, or drala." ~Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Drala hikes are open to the public. No dogs, please - For questions about this or other things, please contact Liz Howell, Drala Hike Coordinator.
***### 2025 Drala Hike Schedule
- Sat, May 3: Trappist Abbey Trail in McMinnville (Liz Howell)
- Sun, Jun 1: Vedanta Shrine Trail in Scappoose (Liz Howell)
- Sat, Jun 28: Powell Butte (Anandi Gefroh)
- Sat, Jul 26: Blue-Tongue Drala Berry Picking (Robbie Lovitt)
- Sat, Aug 16: Lost Lake Mt Hood (Annie Popkin and David Parker)
- Sun, Sep 28: Oak Island Trail on Sauvie Island (David Parker and Annie Popkin)
- Sun, Oct 12: Milo McIver State Park on the Clackamas River (Liz Howell)
- Weekday Morning Meditation ONLINELink visible for attendees
Join us for Weekday Morning Meditation in an online format. Start the new day with community meditation over Zoom on Mondays and Fridays, from 8-9am, followed by 30 minutes-ish of contemplative discussion. Practice will start with morning chants (shared on the Zoom screen) followed by silent meditation. Participants are welcome to join and leave the practice whenever their schedules permit.
The program is free (though donations are gratefully accepted) and well attended by a core group of people who don't RSVP on Meetup. Newcomers, please join us! 🌼
Schedule:
8:00 - 8:10 AM Traditional morning chants
8:10 - 8:30 AM Sitting
8:30 - 8:35 AM Walking meditation
8:35 - 9:00 AM Sitting meditation & compassion meditation
9:00 AM Optional chatting about the day’s meditation experience🔶 Join via Zoom:
🔗 https://portland.shambhala.org/zoom-open-meditation/Zoom Meeting ID: 817 700 397
Passcode: 108❓ For questions or technical issues, write to hello@portland.shambhala.org
ℹ️ For more information, check out our calendar and website at https://portland.shambhala.org/
