An Introduction to Meditation in Denver with Cynthia Drake

Learn to train and calm the mind through the practice of meditation. Ideal for beginners as well as those who would like to stabilize and deepen their meditation experience.

During this one-day intensive at Loews Denver Hotel, we will receive practical instructions for living in an awakened way through peaceful abiding meditation, which connects us with our mind’s inherent stability, clarity, and strength. The program will also include basic grounding in the principles of meditation, as well as contemplative techniques to gain insight into the state of our mind and the state of our life.

We will draw from Turning the Mind into an Ally, the best-selling book by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

Many of us are slaves to our minds. Our own mind is our worst enemy. We try to focus, and our mind wanders off. We try to keep stress at bay, but anxiety keeps us awake at night. We try to be good to the people we love, but then we forget them and put ourselves first. And when we want to change our life, we dive into spiritual practice and expect quick results, only to lose focus after the honeymoon has worn off. We return to our state of bewilderment. We're left feeling helpless and discouraged. It seems we all agree that training the body through exercise, diet, and relaxation is a good idea, but why don't we think about training our minds?

— From Turning the Mind into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Cynthia Drake has been a meditator and member of the Shambhala community since 1985. For the past 21 years she has taught English as a foreign language, college composition, and literature and worked as an academic advisor. She currently teaches literature at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Contemplative Practice Seminar for first-year students at Naropa University.

The program price ($95 with preregistration) includes tuition and lunch (meal, tax, beverage, and gratuity) at the Tuscany Restaurant in the hotel. For those traveling or not wanting to travel, Loews Denver Hotel is offering a room rate of $115 for Friday and Saturday nights (you may contact the Loews Denver Hotel at 303-639-1616 between 8am-5pm MT). Parking is free at the hotel.

Preregistration is highly encouraged. If openings are still available, the charge for day of event registration will be $115.

This program is also offered in a full-weekend format at our Shambhala Mountain Center campus in Red Feather Lakes: February 13 to 15, April 3 to 5, and June 12 to 14.

The program will run from 9am to noon and 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Please plan to arrive by 8:45am. View Detailed Program Information.