No Hope, No Fear Part 2: Mindfulness & Space with Frank Berliner

Explore the paradoxical interplay of effort and non-effort on the path of meditation.

If we look honestly at our lives, we can see they are pervaded by an unending dance between hope and fear. The teachings of Shambhala invite us to live with an unflinching awareness of this truth, rather than look for a path that will somehow avoid it.

In the remaining seminars of this four-part series, we will study this theme as it recurs throughout the work and life of Chögyam Trungpa, exploring its practical application to our own spiritual journey through meditation practice (including the Sadhana of Mahamudra), lectures, group discussion and poetry reading. You may participate in any or all of these four programs.

Mastering the art of meditation is an endless journey. Along the way, we begin by learning to appreciate the importance of sustained, gradual effort — what the Buddha termed "right effort." We bring gentleness to our own confusion. This is the practice of mindfulness.

As we proceed on the path, we glimpse the significance of non-effort as well, discovering the fundamental openness that we already are and have always been. This openness, or space, is the practice of awareness. In this weekend retreat, we will explore the paradoxical interplay of effort and non-effort on the path.

Part 3: Warrior Heart will be held September 22 – 24.
Part 4: Sacred Wisdom will be held in December 1 - 3.


Frank Berliner is a core faculty member at Naropa University, where he teaches Buddhist and Western humanistic psychology. A long-standing student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, he has served as national director for Shambhala Training. He maintains a private practice as a psychotherapist and organizational consultant in Boulder, Colorado.

Extend Your Stay. We are offering a 25% 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.

Please arrive between 2 and 5pm on Friday, May 26. Program ends with lunch at 12:30pm on Sunday, May 28. View Detailed Program Information.