Shambhala Art: Expanding Your Perceptions with Acharya Arawana Hayashi

The principles of dharma art extend to everyday life: any activity can provide an opportunity to relax and open our senses to the phenomenal world.

Genuine art tells the truth.
— Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

This quote is the seed of the Shambhala Art teachings, the path to creating art that springs from the meditative mind. The uniqueness of ordinary sensory experience, the simplicity and brilliance of “things as they are,” is the ground for genuine creativity, the expression of non-aggression. Whether you are an artist or simply “artistic,” Shambhala Art teachings will open up a new way to experience the Shambhala world. Included will be perception and art-making exercises that bring our understanding into direct experience.


Acharya Arawana Hayashi is a dancer, choreographer, and master meditation teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage who recently completed a three-year term as teacher-in-residence at Karmê Chöling. Chair of the Shambhala Arts Council and faculty member of the Shambhala Institute for Authentic Leadership, she offers Presence workshops nationwide.

Extend Your Stay. We are offering a 50% housing discount for additional nights. Come early and relax before your program starts or stay an extra day or more after this program to savor your retreat experience.

Partial scholarships are available. Click here for an application.

Please arrive between 2 and 5pm on Thursday, April 22. Program ends with lunch at 12:30pm on Sunday, April 25. View Detailed Program Information.