Warriorship: Shambhala Adult Rites of Passage

Waterfalls and bridge near Barnet VT 2016Awakening to the Stages of Life: A weekend retreat.

“Every 10 to 20 years, we can participate in a ceremony that awakens us to the fact that we are progressing through life. These rites of passage act as a reminder. If we are not occasionally reminded to stop and look around, it is difficult to tell what direction we have taken in life. Therefore, the rites of passage are not only a public ceremony marking our journey through life, but also a time of self-reflection and orientation.” – Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

The Shambhala Adult Rites of Passage program provides an opportunity to work directly with Sakyong Mipham’s vision of aging in enlightened society as elucidated in texts he wrote in 2011 in response to a request from the Shambhala Working Group on Aging. The program brings together Shambhalians at key transition points throughout the arc of adult life to reflect upon the past, appreciate the present and contemplate the future, all in the context of the Shambhala teachings and Shambhala culture.

This weekend retreat, entitled Awakening to the Stages of Life, includes contemplations and practices that bring forth the life experiences of participants and connect them with the Shambhala vision. The program concludes on Sunday afternoon with a formal Rite of Passage Ceremony to which participants can invite family and friends.

The program is open to adults of any age with a strong connection to the Shambhala teachings.

The Awakening to the Stages of Life retreats are led by a cadre of authorized preceptors under the guidance of Acharya Mitchell Levy. Groups or Centers that are interested in hosting an Adult Rites of Passage program can contact Heidi Mecklenberg ([email protected]) for further information.

Support

This project was supported in part by The Shambhala Trust. You, too, can help by making a tax-deductable donation here. We gratefully acknowledge many contributions, written, artistic and financial.