Meditation Instructor and Teacher Training
Shambhala Europe and Dechen Chöling are very happy to announce a Meditation Instructor and Teacher Training, co-taught by Sabine Rolf and Janet Solyntjes.
The path of development as a Shambhala Teacher or Meditation Instructor involves a commitment to ongoing meditation practice, sustained study of Buddhist and Shambhala teachings, and a genuine connection to community. Real growth is grounded in active participation in community life—finding and taking one’s seat—together with the willingness to both give and receive feedback.
These Paths are a lifelong journey–of becoming fully human and learning how to express our basic goodness and good human heart to others. The primary means for development are cultivating self-awareness through meditation practice, the exchange of skillful and well intentioned feedback as well as continued study. In this way, we trust that we can learn and grow as individuals and also together as a community of teachers and meditation instructors, walking a shared path of ongoing empowerment and deepening.
This training, co-taught bySabine Rolf and Janet Solyntjes, will follow a similar format to the training offered in Dechen Chöling in 2024 and will be structured to accommodate a wide range of development needs for those on the Teaching Path as well as those on the Meditation Instructor Path.
Pre-requisites
Realising that many members of our community have diverse and valuable life experiences, the prerequisites are to be seen as recommendations.
- Teachers Training
- We recommendthat you have attended an MI Training in the past and have gained some experience in that role.
- We recommend that you have attended Warriors Assembly
- We recommend that you have attended a Weekthun
- Meditation Instructors Training
- We recommend that you have attended Levels 1-5 of Shambhala Training
Most importantly, we ask all potential participants to discuss the level of training that would be fitting for them to receive together with their Meditation Instructor or Mentor and to then submit a short letter (or video) of motivation together with a letter of support from their MI or Mentor. This is an important process of feeling our motivation and intention and making this step in connection with the support of others in our community.
If you are on the Meditation Instructor Path you will have the opportunity to learn or deepen in:
- giving initial Meditation Instruction
- giving group Meditation Instruction
- giving meditation interviews
- guiding group discussions
- helping to support learning containers
- guiding and accompanying others on their meditation path.
- giving and receiving skillful feedback
If you are on the Teacher Development Path you will have the opportunity to learn or deepen in:
- developing confidence in taking the Teachers Seat
- giving Dharma talks and incorporating Ground Path and Fruition
- teaching methodologies and structures
- developing curricula and learning containers
- leading and guiding teams to create learning containers
- giving and receiving skillful feedback
(Application deadline May 1st 2027)
If you have questions regarding the application please contact: Mattia Hofmann [email protected]
We wish to support the development of our community and will offer financial assistance to anyone who needs it. If you need financial assistance, please contact DCL Office to make arrangements.
Registration
You may register at any time, however in order to participate, we ask that all accompanying letters and or videos must be submitted by May 1st 2027
Practical information
Arrival day: Thursday, August 19: You’re invited to come from 14:00 in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 18:30. Orientation talk at 20:00.
End of programme: Saturday, August 28: Closing circle and banquet in the evening
Departure day: Sunday, August 29: You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
IMPORTANT ONLINE PREPARATORY OFFERING
The study content for talks and presentations in the programme at Dechen Chöling will center around Mahayana Teachings.
Preparation for this training will be supported by a Shambhala Online Offering titled “Awakening the Heart:
An In-Depth Journey Into Mahayana Teachings”. This 16 class course will cover the preparation materials for the in-person event at Dechen Chöling and will also provide instruction on teaching practices and methodologies.
See description of online Mahayana course HERE
Register through Shambhala Online .
Programme price
| Regular | 540 € | |
|---|---|---|
| Patron | 648 € | Help support lower income participants |
| Early Bird | 459 € | Expires 22 July 2027 |
| Under 30 years of age | 270 € |
Do not hesitate to contact our office to register for a scholarship at [email protected].
Price information
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total standard price | 1,216.20 € |
| Programme price (Early Bird) | 459.00 € |
| Full board: 10 nights (74 € per night - Shared 2-person room) * | 740.00 € |
| Room tax: 10 nights | 2.20 € |
| Dechen Chöling association’s annual fee ** | 15.00 € |
* Includes Shared 2-person room and all meals. Other accommodation options available during registration.
** Legal yearly obligation (calendar year) for every participant or visitor.