Becoming a member of the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles 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.

Membership is a commitment to meditation practice, dharma study, and to becoming involved in the activities at SMCLA. It is an opportunity to express appreciation for what the Center provides and to help make it available to others.

Why does membership matter?

Although membership at SMCLA is not required to participate in much of what the Center 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 Center.

What are the benefits of membership?

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

Members receive ongoing meditation instruction with a personal meditation instructor
Members are invited to community events, programs, and classes, and receive discounts for some programs
Membership pin
Automatic membership in Shambhala's world-wide network
Access to member resources at www.shambhala.org
Inclusion in SMCLA's membership directory

How do I become a member?

Download the Word document. Mail it to the Center to the attention of SMCLA Membership or drop it off on the desk in the community room.
Determine what you can afford. Although the suggested membership contribution is currently set at $75/month, some people pay less and some pay more. It is up to you to decide what your level of contribution will be and it can be changed at any time.
Become a volunteer. Volunteer work is how we are able to offer programs and services and is a great way to connect with the community. How can you contribute your time, energy, and/or financial resources to help the activities of Shambhala?
Please contact our Center Administrator Alice McFarland at smclafinance@yahoo.com if you have any questions about how to become a member or how to get involved.

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

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Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles
963 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Tel. 323 255 5472 Email:

Shambhala, Shambhala Meditation Center, Shambhala Training, Shambhala Center and Way of Shambhala are registered service marks of Shambhala International (Vajradhatu). Website by Blue Mandala Shambhala Training® and Shambhala Art® are registered service marks of Shambhala/Nalanda Foundation.