Shambhala Mountain Center is a mountain valley retreat located on 600 acres in northern Colorado. Since 1971 the Center has offered hundreds of programs on Buddhist meditation, yoga and other contemplative disciplines. Tamed by more than 30 years of use as a contemplative retreat, Shambhala Mountain Center is a place where one of the basic truths of Buddhism—that people can be profoundly open to the wisdom of the present moment—is always readily available.

Shambhala Mountain Center is both an introductory and in-depth training center for students of the Buddhist teachings. The Center is also a non-sectarian facility where the insights of Buddhism can mix with other traditions of human transformation and be applied to educational, cultural, artistic and business disciplines. The Center is available for use by third-party groups for their own retreats and conferences.

Program highlights for 2007 include Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche in Enlightened World: The Three Yanas of Shambhala Buddhadharma, Pema Chödrön and Richard Reoch in Practicing Peace in Times of War, Genpo Roshi in Big Mind Zen Retreat, and Cyndi Lee and David Nichtern in Yoga Body, Buddha Mind.

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Customer Reviews:

Name	Date	Rank	Comments
Sumati	2/13/2008 9:43:59 AM		I visited SMC this past fall as part of the “Take Down” crew- volunteers who help to take down the lodging tents before the snow comes in exchange for food and lodging. I have very fond feelings for SMC based on my experience, but I have say that the experience itself was challenging and may not be for everyone. But I have also I spoken with several people who give SMC rave reviews and try to return each year. Please realize that my experiences were a bit different than most because I had the role of being “staff”, which is very, very different than being a participant in one of the retreat programs. Rather than being on the land with a specific focus for my attention (a retreat program), I was there completely open and ready to experience whatever the land and the teachings had to offer. What I found to be quite shocking was SMC’s approach to Buddhism. I had not read much of Trungpa’s work or anything about his life so I was surprised to hear about the eating of meat and the drinking of alcohol (at staff gatherings). I was also surprised by the Kasong who were dressed in military style outfits and march around the land. But when I approached people to discuss my issues I found everyone to be very open to discussion and came to understand and respect the role of the Kasong in the protection of the land and the lineage. While at first they worried me, I came to be grateful for the security that they offered. I still chose not to eat meat, did not drink and refrained from sexual activities, and I felt very safe and supported in doing so, even by those who were drinking, etc. In the end I am very grateful that my time at SMC helped me to confront my assumptions about what Buddhism is and is not, about the role of meat, alcohol and even sexuality in the face of spirituality. In essence SMC helped to strip me of my veils and to more fully realize a core Buddhist principle- that life is about how we approach each moment, our intention with each action is what is important, not the outcome or even the action itself. I have been told by those who have attended retreats that SMC is a wonderful place, my experience was a bit different, a bit more challenging that the word “wonderful” allows for. But I am happy for the transformation that occurred through my time at SMC.
Estelle Van Pavert	3/24/2003		Shambhala Mountain Center is completely delightful. Highly recommend visiting this special place if you are interested in meditation or yoga.