Weekly open meditation sessions in The West Loop, Chicago, free and open to the public.

The Shambhala Chicago Meditation Center offers weekly open meditation sessions in The West Loop that are free, open to the public, and do not require advance registration. These gatherings provide a supportive community environment for individuals of all experience levels to practice mindfulness and connect with others. Sessions typically include brief meditation instruction provided by trained guides at the beginning, followed by periods of sitting and walking meditation, and conclude with an informal, guided discussion about meditation topics. The center hosts multiple weekly options: Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM to 11 AM feature meditation practice and dharma discussion with instruction available for beginners by 10:00 AM. Tuesday evenings from 7 PM to 8:30 PM offer one hour of meditation and a half hour of discussion, with instruction available for those arriving by 7 PM. Additionally, a weekly Queer Dharma session is held on Sunday evenings from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, hosted by Armando Maggi, creating a non-judgmental space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to deepen their practice based on openness, curiosity, and gentleness. The center also provides introductory programs, guided continuing programs, and daylong meditation retreats to support various stages of the meditation journey. All sessions welcome newcomers, and the center aims to inspire compassionate society through personal and collective transformation.