The Benefits of Membership

Becoming a member of Shambhala is a statement about your personal inspiration, curiosity, and commitment to the path of awakening. It means participating in a community of practitioners who aspire to relate to each other with honesty, warmth, and openness. We inspire one another to deepen our practice of mindfulness, awareness, and compassion. We also provide each other an opportunity to practice compassion and patience.

We invite anyone interested in our Shambhala Group to consider becoming a member. Becoming a member of the Tamalpais Shambhala Meditation Group simultaneously brings membership in Shambhala, a global community committed to cultivating mindfulness, awareness, and compassion―personally and in society.

If you are interested in membership, please email tamalpaishambhala [at] gmail [dot] com.


Membership is a way to express appreciation for what Shambhala provides and help make it available to others. This involves three areas of engagement and support:

Practicing meditation

Making a connection to mindfulness-awareness meditation or related contemplative practice and integrating this practice into daily life is considered the best way for members to support Shambhala and benefit the world and ourselves.

Volunteering

Much of the work of our Group—and the work of the global Shambhala community—is done by volunteers. Giving our time and talents to the work of the community is a vital form of support and viewed as part of members’ practice.

Providing Financial Support

Tamalpais Shambhala Group is a non-profit organization that relies on membership dues and donations to pay our basic operating expenses. We view generosity and financial giving as part of our practice as well. Everyone is invited to become a member at a financial level that is comfortable for you.

Suggested monthly tax-deductible contribution levels are as follows:

•  Root $500 and up
•  Trunk $200 to  $499
•  Branch $80 to $199
•  Leaf $30 to $79
•  Bud $5 to $29

You can read a full description the meaning of these levels of contribution here.

Windhorse Member
If you are unable to make a financial contribution at this time, consider becoming a Windhorse Member by contributing to the resources of the Tamalpais Shambhala Group through service and non-financial gifts. Please email tamalpaishambhala [at] gmail [dot] com about this option.

Membership Form

Download and fill out our membership form and either mail it in or drop it off in person. Our membership coordinator will be in touch with you. Our address is 734 A Street, Suite 1, San Rafael, CA 94901

Why does membership matter?

Although membership is not required to participate in much of what the Group has to offer, without our community’s financial and volunteer support, we would not be able to offer all the wonderful programs, practice sessions, and events that we do.  It is because of our members that the profound tradition of meditation is able to survive and flourish.

Payment of membership dues is the financial backbone of our Shambhala Group.

Membership Benefits

Connection with our community by becoming a member helps support your practice and strengthen your understanding of Shambhala Buddhism in many ways:

  • Eligibility to receive ongoing meditation instruction with a personal meditation instructor
  • Membership pin
  • Eligibility to participate in our Group’s governance and leadership committees
  • Use of the Group’s lending library
  • Tax-deductions for financial contributions
  • Automatic membership in Shambhala’s worldwide network
  • Access to member resources at www.shambhala.org
  • Community events just for members

Those who are in the sangha are warriors, because they are trying to overcome samsara. Members of the sangha support one another and care for one another. They are not perfect, but they inspire us because they are people who want to deepen their practice of mindfulness, awareness and compassion. The sangha is also a container. When we practice together, the sangha helps our discipline. We realize that there are other people around who are going through the same thing. That gives us a feeling of encouragement.
– Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche