Shambhala Training: Perky

The “Four Dignities” of meek, perky, outrageous, and inscrutable are qualities of the Shambhala Warrior. They are presented as a path and a process whereby people can grow and expand their capacity for kindness and positive action in the world. Training in the dignities allows individuals to mature, develop more awareness and find greater joy in life.

The second of the four dignities, Perky focuses on cultivating sharp, vibrant, and uplifted energy through natural discipline. Overcoming the trap of doubt, the warrior of perky is able to accomplish his or her activities with a sense of dignity and ease.

The Sacred Path is a series of teachings for those who’ve completed Shambhala Training Levels I-V. It introduces further practices to develop warriorship and extend the student’s training in meditation. These practices are based on a societal vision and aspiration to help the world. This training cultivates one’s dignity and natural gifts in order to widen one’s sphere of compassionate and practical influence.

During a series of visionary experiences that took place between 1976 and 1980, Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche wrote down what became known as the Shambhala terma, a series of texts. The Sacred Path of the Warrior is based on these texts and on the extensive commentaries Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave on these teachings and on how to practice them in modern times.

• Daily talks by the Senior Teacher
• Guided meditation sessions
• Sitting meditation practice
• Walking meditation
• Time to gather and converse
• Opportunity to meet one-on-one with a meditation instructor

Please inquire if you need to have the teachings translated. We will do our best to provide that for you. We have received requests for Russian translation, from participants of several Eastern European countries, which we will provide. 

This program is being offered both in-person and online to allow students from other countries to participate, who otherwise couldn't.

We strongly encourage everyone who can attend in-person, to come to our meditation center and immerse themselves in the retreat environment of Karmê Chöling. This allows you extra time to socialise with other participants and with the teachers as well as enjoy the rural Vermont countryside. 

You can also extend your stay, either before or after the program, as an in-house retreatant and practice the teachings with us longer.

If you are attending in-person please plan to arrive Friday September 20th, between 3:00-6:00pm ET to register and settle in.
Dinner is served at 6:30.
The program will begin at 7:00pm ET.

For the European students, our Friday night talk will be in the early morning hours for you. We will record the Friday talk and make it available to you immediately afterwards. You should watch it Saturday morning before the program begins Saturday so you have the same understanding as the other participants.

The program will end Sunday, September 22nd at 5:00pm ET.

Completion of Shambhala Training Levels I-V and the Sacred Path series up through Meek is required for this program.

These precious teachings are core to who we are as a community. Even if you have taken the Sacred Path courses previously, you can refresh your understanding of the wisdom they contain by hearing some of our most senior teachers speak on them.

Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling including pick-up service from Hanover, Lebanon, White River Junction and Burlington to our front door.