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Home / Teachers

Simon La Haye

Simon La Haye

Simon La Haye has been a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche for over 35 years, and has been teaching on the Shambhala vision during that time.
He has always been involved in the administration of Shambhala, and more particularly was the director of Dechen Chöling for more than 10 years.
Since 2014 he is teaching full time. In particular he is interested on how we can bring the experience of meditation in our daily life.

He says:”I discovered Buddhism in Asia in the seventies. What seduced me, when I visited Laddack for example, beyond the philosophy and the practice, was that society expressed kindness and generosity: for me this was the expression of civilization much more that technological advance or materialism. This is what I found again in Shambhala.”

About meditation and practice he said:
“Holding on makes us uptight and serious, we want to control the world instead of letting it surprise and charm us. Meditation teaches us to be present to our experience rather than looking at what “could have been” or planning for the future. By just being, we can meet our inner nature. This gives us confidence to trust ourselves, to value our experience. By being, our life can become a joyful and appreciative exploration of our world.”

 
 

Blog

  • 6 October 2026

    Good Morning Sunshine!

     
  • 15 May 2026

    Message from Sun Camp Europe

     
  • 3 February 2026

    Dechen Chöling has a new gardener!

     
  • 20 October 2025

    An Interview with David Hope

     
  • 7 July 2025

    Interview with Yeshe Fuchs

     
 

Upcoming programmes

  • Maitri: Transforming confusion into wisdom

    25 October 2026 – 1 November 2026

    With: Tessa Racine

    Let us explore the teachings of the five wisdoms to see how we can balance them in our lives and transform confusion into wisdom. Open to all, no meditation experience necessary.

     
  • The Art of Being Human – Shambhala Training Level 1

    14 November 2026 – 15 November 2026

    With: Elizabeth Anscutter, Franck Le Naourèse

    An introductory weekend to meditation. Corresponds to Level 1 of the Shambhala Training - open to all!

     
  • Qigong 1 & 2: Peaceful Body, Peaceful Mind

    21 November 2026 – 22 November 2026

    With: Damien Sauvezie

    Cultivate strength of body and calmness of mind through the practice of Qigong as presented by two distinct Taoist schools. Open to all. Taught in French.

     

All programmes ›

 
 
 

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Centre Shambhala Dechen Chöling
Le Mas Marvent
Rue du Château 640
87700 Saint-Yrieix-sous-Aixe
France

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