Shambhala is an evolving spiritual community on the Pacific coast of Mexico.  We are looking for teachers to give instruction at our spiritual oasis.

Right now Shambhala needs more spiritual 'presence', more energy aimed at spiritual surrender, ego surrender (as opposed to trendy and seductive psychic manipulations).  Shambhala is an embryonic ashram.  We have the climate — hot, dry, but right on the ocean.  We have some facilities — a meditation complex on the cliff, and accommodations ranging from hammocks to cabanas.  We have occasional Buddhist meditation and yoga classes taught by itinerant devotees.  We have the right vibes — travelers are drawn by the unpretentious, cleansing atmosphere.  What we don't have are enough accomplished teachers.

This is not about money.  It is about spirituality.  It's less expensive to get here than Asia, but what most travelers come here for now is sun and a free-form '60s' ambiance.  We endeavor to keep nudity and marijuana off the sacred ground while encouraging personal exploration and growth.  Also, we are negotiating to acquire some forested land inland on a small river which can be dedicated to developing a spiritual retreat center.  Zipolite is a cosmopolitan beach.  Spiritual seeds planted here will fly on the jet winds to every continent.

We are not looking to be 'taken over' by any particular group or sect.  That has been tried before and we have matured through it.  However, there is space and goodwill for any genuine spiritual group to establish a long-term presence here.  Living is not expensive, and most visitors arrive here 'looking' for something.  We are offering a toehold in Mexico for spiritual missionaries to put a foot down.

Write us if you think we may have some common spiritual ground to work with. Visit us if you'd like to open this door on another adventure in living.  We have basic facilities which may be expanded according to specific plans of action.  We'd like to attract a different sort of tourist here — perhaps one who has visited and ashram or wat.  Perhaps one who is looking to fill a hole in their life with spiritual relief.

Right now we support fifteen locals through the activities of the restaurant and cabanas.  It is both a blessing and a burden to be thus melded into the local community.  This is a responsibility which becomes part of the equation of how we handle the future evolution of Shambhala.  We are merged into the family of the people and the land here in Oaxaca, and it is our vision to join these in an upwelling of spiritual energy on this small cliff overlooking these dark blue waters on the eastern rim of the Pacific.

To get here: fly to Huatulco and take a one-hour cab or bus to Pochutla (change bus) and on to Shambhala at the far (western) end of the beach at Zipolite.

Nameste,

Gloria Esperanza and friends of Shambhala

A.P. 68, Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico 70900

for more information: pilarshambhala@hotmail.com

(Note: Shambala was hit hard by the hurricanes of 1997 and 1998 and is slowly rebuilding.)