Meditation

"In Buddhism meditation is technically called ‘bhavana’, which literally means ‘making to become’ or ‘development’. The real aim of meditation is not just the concentration of the mind: that is just preliminary. The real aim of meditation is to transform consciousness- to make you a higher type of being than you were before you began practising it. “

Sangharakshita, Vision and Transformation / The Noble Eight Fold Path. 

Exploring meditation: For Order members and Mitras. Tuesdays 12:45 - 2pm

An open invitation to all Order members and Mitras to join in a regular group, to meditate and explore practice together. The format is very simple 12:45 meet in GBC's reception room, then 1-2pm is a meditation sit in the small shrine room, followed by an opportunity to say something about what went on for each of us, in that particular session. You are welcome to stay on afterwards for a more informal chat. There is no need to book, just come along - see you there! 

Repeats every week every Tuesday. 12.45pm to 2.00pm

Collective Meditation Sessions

An opportunity to practice with others and quiet your mind at the end of your day. Open to all meditators who can sit silently in meditation for 40minutes. Not suitable for beginners as there will be no teaching or guidance given.

We are creating a collective pool of silence in which to refresh our individual being.

Doors open at 4.45pm and the sit begins at 5pm with salutation of the shrine (no-one will be admitted after meditation has begun). Every Mon, Tues, Wed and Thursday all year (except during Rainy Season retreat March 8-15th). 

Repeats every week every Monday and every Tuesday and every Wednesday and every Thursday. 5.00pm to 5.40pm

Wednesday Lunchtime Drop In Meditation

From Wednesday 8th Jan 2020 to Wednesday 16th Dec 2020, 12.30pm - 1.00pm
(except Wed Mar 11 2020)

This popular lunchtime class is designed for anyone working or living locally. Take half an hour out of your weekly routine to refresh your body and mind with meditation.  This class is suitable for experienced meditators and also those with no prior experience of sitting meditation. It runs from 12.30 -1pm.

Please note that as this class is only 30 mins long any instruction will be brief and minimal. For a fuller introduction to meditation please see our Thursday Morning Drop In.

There is no fee for the course. All our meditation and Buddhism events have no charge.

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Thursday Drop In Meditation

From Thursday 9th Jan 2020 to Thursday 17th Dec 2020, 10.30am - 11.30am
(except Thu Mar 12 2020)

This weekly meditation drop-in is suitable for complete beginners, and also those with some experience of the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana (development of loving kindness) meditations.  

The newcomers class covers the following areas: posture, body awareness, the foundations of mindfulness practice and developing kindness for oneself and others. Those new to meditation will gain a practical ability in the two foundation meditation practices we teach. Meditation can produce many benefits, from reducing stress and aiding sleep to enjoying clearer states of mind,...

Friday Drop-in Meditation

From Friday 10th Jan 2020 to Friday 18th Dec 2020, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
(except Fri Mar 13 2020)

Our weekly Friday meditation drop-in is suitable for both complete beginners and those with some experience of the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana (development of loving kindness) meditations.  

The newcomers class covers the following areas: posture, body awareness, the foundations of mindfulness practice and developing kindness for oneself and others. Those new to meditation will gain a practical ability in the two foundation meditation practices we teach. Meditation can produce many benefits, from reducing stress and aiding sleep to enjoying clearer states of mind,...

Meditation Day Retreat

Sunday, February 23, 2020 - 10:30 to 16:30

At the end of our regular six-week introductory courses on Buddhism and Meditation we offer a free day retreat to all current and past participants. This is a great opportunity to practice communally together, so we also extend this invitation to the whole sangha community. A warm welcome to all.

We start the day with meditation (generally break for lunch at around 1pm) and the afternoon will be a mix of talks and/or small study reflection/dicussion groups.

Please bring veggie food to share. We put all the food donations out buffet-style. If you have food intolerences and...

Energetics of Liberation with Paramananda, for OM's and mitras

Saturday, June 6, 2020 - 10:30 to Sunday, June 7, 2020 - 17:00

The Buddhist path can be characterised through the qualities of the three principle Bodhisattavas representing compassion, wisdom and energy.

Vajrapani is the third and represents the embodiment of energy. This third aspect is the least stressed of the three, but from the perspective of meditation it is arguably the most vital, for without the necessary energy, little progress can be attained.

This weekend will focus on the aspect of energy as the essential fuel for practice. In particular we will look at the vital part played by the correct attitude towards and understanding...