x-Family Programs

Families and Children at the Shambhala Centre

There are no family programs offered in Fall 2018 due to volunteer availability. Please refer back in late December 2018 for an update on programs in 2019 or request to be added to the Family Programs distribution list so that you receive the email updates on family programs.
The Ottawa Shambhala Centre welcomes families and children! On this page, you’ll find information about programs geared to parents, children and teens as well as resources for bringing mindfulness practices into your home.

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Le Centre Shambhala accueille les familles et les enfants. Sur cette page, vous trouverez des informations sur les activités destinées aux parents, aux enfants et aux adolescents, ainsi que des ressources pour intégrer les pratiques de l’attention et de la conscience en éveil à la maison.

Family Meditation

Please join us for an opportunity for parents, children and teens to receive walking meditation instruction and shamatha (“calm abiding”) meditation instruction. This is an ideal way to bring the simple yet profound and powerful practice of meditation into your family’s everyday life. Taught by our qualified instructors, this class is for beginners, as well as anyone who would like to refresh their understanding of the technique and sit and practice with their family.

Bodhi School for Children

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Bodhi means “awake”! Bodhi School provides children, in two age groups; ages  4 years old to 7 years old and 8 years old to 11 years old, with a spiritual education in the tradition of Shambhala Buddhism. Bodhi School lets children touch into their basic goodness in a nurturing and fun environment and experience their world more fully, as a way to instill confidence and kindness.

Each class explores a Buddhist or Shambhala theme through stories, music, child-oriented contemplation, meditation and mindful movement (like yoga).

We hold one class a month from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm (last half hour for family social time). Our class sessions are January till May and September to December. Guardians are invited to take part in sitting during this time.

Registration for the sessions is required as it allows the curriculum to build from class to class as well as assist the instructors in preparing for each class.

For more information about Bodhi School or to be added to the Family Programs distribution list, contact
[email protected]

Family Programs

These events are for everyone – babies, children, teens and grown-ups! Come and enjoy. See the schedule page for upcoming events.
Children’s Day – celebrated every year at the Winter Solstice. Join the festivities at the court of the King and Queen of Shambhala.
Midsummer Day – a fun day out for the whole Shambhala community to celebrate summer solstice. We’ll celebrate summer at a local park with a picnic lunch and fun activities for young and old alike

Shambhala International Programs for Kids and Teens

Family Camp at Karmé Chöling – a magical week for parents and children to spend together with old friends and new in the beautiful rolling green hills of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom at Karmê Chöling. Family camp is also hosted in Nova Scotia at Dorje Dena Ling.

Sun Camp – An outdoor sleep-away summer camp for children ages 10-16. Sun Camp is inspired by and based on the Shambhala Buddhist teachings, but is open to people of all backgrounds and interests.

Resources on the Web

Recommended Books

For Children:

  • Rafe Martin: The Hungry Tiger, The Monkey Bridge, One Hand Clapping(and anything else he’s written!)
  • Jon J Muth: Stone Soup, Zen Ties, Zen Shorts, Zen Ghosts, The Three Questions (and others)
  • Phillip and Hannah Hoose: Hey Little Ant
  • Joseph Anthony: In a Nutshell
  • Susan Kaiser Greenland: Mindful Games Book and Activity Cards

For Teens:

  • Diana Winston: Wide Awake! A Buddhist Guide for Teens

Mindful Parenting:

  • Karen Maezen Miller: Momma Zen
  • Denise Roy: MOMfulness