Contemplative Arts

Contemplative arts at the Shambhala Meditation Center comprise a number of disciplines and activities, including flower arranging and photography, that integrate art and culture with everyday life. Each of these disciplines represents a genuine contemplative path – together they bring beauty, vividness and wisdom to our lives and culture. Contemplative arts that are actively practiced at the Philadelphia Shambhala Meditation Center are described below. Visit the Shambhala website for information about other contemplative arts and disciplines practiced in the Shambhala community.

Shambhala Art

Shambhala Art can be seen as a process, a product, and an arts education program based on the Dharma Art teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. As a process, it brings awareness to the creative and viewing processes through the integration of contemplation and meditation. As a product, it is art that wakes people up. The program explores the creative process and the product we call art from the point of view of clear perception and pure expression. Learn more at www.shambhalaart.org.

Miksang School for Contemplative Photography

Miksang is a Tibetan word that translates as “good eye.” The Miksang Society for Comtemplative Photography offers a number of programs, courses and events that present a form of contemplative photography. This school of contemplative photography brings together the art of photography, the discipline of meditation and the Dharma Art teachings of the meditation master and scholar Chögyam Trungpa. For more information, visit the website of the Miksang Society for Contemplative Photography.

Ikebana – The Japanese Art of Flower Arranging

Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, has its origins in Shinto, where arrangements were made as shrine offerings. At the Shambhala Meditation Centre, ikebana is taught as a contemplative meditation practice. By creating an environment which allows us to pay attention to our sense perceptions in a non-aggressive way, ikebana is a way of connecting with sacred world.

Contemplative Writing Practice

Contemplative writing explores the connection between meditation practice and writing. Meetings will intersperse meditation or contemplation with playful and exploratory writing exercises. Time will be allotted to share writing in a supportive environment.

Other Contemplative Arts and Disciplines

The Shambhala Meditation Centre occasionally offers or hosts programs in other contemplative arts and disciplines, such as, Qigong, Maitri Space Awareness, yoga, Restorative Circles, and Non-Violent Communication. See our program listings for upcoming programs.