Austin Shambhala Meditation Center

That is not dead which can eternal lie.
And with strange aeons even death may die.

I studied with a teacher and attended Sunday meditation for several months at the Shambhala Center. I also attended a weekend-​long meditation workshop.
I have mixed feelings about Shambhala. The practice of meditation itself is very helpful, and a good way to become aware of your inner yammering. This particular practice puts a lot of emphasis on mental discipline. Sitting on my ass for 2.5 days straight at the retreat I attended was alternately painful, infuriating, and enlightening. In general, I can hang with the basic teachings of Shambhala as they apply to meditation technique.
The center itself is nice, the teachers are helpful, and the main shrine is really pretty and serene. The zafus are a little wacky if you’re not used to a cube zafu, I’d bring my round one and use that.
Ultimately, I wasn’t able to hang with Shambhala for the long haul. The founder of the sect was fairly famous for not being very ethical. I have a big problem with abuse of power, and was not satisfied with how the community leaders rationalized it when I inquired about it.

I only went to an introductory meditation session here one Sunday morning. Each instructor takes two people into a small, cozy meditation room and teaches them the particular meditation method used here. The environment is quiet and serene – I see why people might drive out here to meditate in the larger meditation room. The Samadhi cushions used here were comfortable for me.
Definitely check out the free meditation instruction sessions Sundays at 10 am and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm if you’re at all curious or interested in meditation. I plan to go back.
The building wasn’t hard to find in the daylight. It’s at the Southwest corner of Milton and South 5^th Street. Although there’s a parking lot, it was full that day so I parked by the side of the road.