[bredkumanfirst]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum so hello to you all and thanks in advance for anyone who can give me some advice on my dilemma.
I've been interested in Buddhism for around 10 years or so now. The past few I've been practicing Zen on a regular basis whilst never reaslly being part of a group due to where I was living.
I've become a bit frustrated with Zen and have started looking at Tibetan practices.

I am struggling to decide which teacher/ group to try and practice with. I really like what I've read of Shambhala so far but the nearest Centre for them is London. I could make it there for retreats or other events but not on a weekly basis. They do offer online courses though.
There is a Rigpa group where I live, along with a New Kadampa group and the usual FWBO centre.

My concern is that my preference would be to study with the Shambhala practice but I also want to be able to practice weekly with a group and be able to have local Buddhists to share experiences with. I am not entirely comfortable with the local groups though given. I don't want to create any arguments and get into political things between groups, but given the accusations and arguments about Sogyal Rinpoche and the NKT I'm not feeling like I can really commit myself to either group.

I want to go to a deeper level with my practice and really make a commitment to whichever teacher and group I start out with so I feel like I've got to make a good decision.

I have thought that maybe I could treat Shambhala as my main practice and go to their retreats and practice however I can, whilst also attending the local Rigpa group as an additional thing.

I'd be interested in the thoughts of anyone more experienced.

Many thanks