Introduction to Buddhist Meditation - Course:
5th and 12th March, 2nd and 9th April 1915 - 2130 hrs ground floor room at the Friends Meeting House, Worthing. See our home page for where and how to find us. The course costs: £40 - payment in advance / refundable if cancelled. Payments can be made by cash, cheque or electronic transfer. Places are limited so do book ahead.
Welcome to four evening sessions introducing participants to the two core meditation practices of mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana (loving kindness or friendliness) and to some key Buddhist perspectives on life, liberation and peace. The leaders are all very experienced and actively practising Buddhists and take no payment for teaching. All charges go towards promoting and supporting Buddhism and meditation in West Sussex.
Fundamental to Buddhism is the understanding that we already have within us the ability to meditate and to lead a happier and more contented life. The invitation is to turn towards these abilities that can bring lasting rather than occasional feelings of happiness or freedom. In meditation we begin to befriend our experiences and ourselves with an attitude of kindness, to calm the mind, to challenge habitual thinking and to find a way forward.
Why not just meditation? The meditation practices we teach come originally from the Buddha. However, they can be practised with great benefit without any other formal Buddhist knowledge. However, Buddhism sees meditation as one of several very important teachings leading ultimately to a deeper sense of connection with the beauty of life and the individuality of our own lives. If we work with our minds combining these other teachings with meditation we can find a deeper more lasting peace, we can become more energized, feel a greater sense of friendliness towards ourselves and others. It is said in the teachings that one looks younger and sleeps better!!!
If you are interested, want to find out more or would like to book please contact Vimokshaja on 07949 758848
Sangha Evening 15th January: Hi all. This week we begin the ethics, meditation and wisdom cycle of evenings - see practice nights on other page for more detail. We begin with why ethics? and the first precept: the aspiration not to harm other sentient beings and to travel in life with generosity and acts of kindness. This might be over ambitious so we might continue on the following week. What's the difference between Buddhist ethics and societal morality? Why do Buddhists practice ethics? Is it really necessary? Why practice being kind to others who are not kind to me? Why be kind to people I don't even know? I hear you ask!!!! Look forward to meeting up with everyone again after the Yuletide break, with anyone coming for the first time and to a fruitful engagement with meditation practice and the teachings of the Buddha over the coming year. Vimokshaja, Padmacandra, Dhammannyu, Abhayadeva |