meditation events at the North London Buddhist Centre


				020 7700 1177
				020 7700 1177

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		Meditation
		What is meditation? Put simply, meditation is a means to self awareness, change and spiritual insight. At our Centre we teach two fundamental Buddhist meditation practices: the Mindfulness of Breathing, which enhances our awareness and peace of mind and the Metta Bhavana "the development of loving kindness" which brings about a gentle but radical transformation in our emotional experience. For further information about meditation please refer to the following site: http://fwbo.com/meditation.html Our courses are suitable for those with hearing impairments, please contact us before booking. email:


		Introductory Classes

		Getting Started Introductory meditation classes, suitable for newcomers, run every week at lunchtimes and in the evenings. The Tuesday and Thursday night classes are our most popular weekly events. These classes introduce the two core meditation practices that are taught at all our centres: the mindfulness of breathing and loving kindness practices. Once familiar with these practices there are other options available; these start with a meditation in the first part of the evening followed by discussion. In one room the evening continues with looking at ways of establishing a regular meditation practice and how to deepen it, exploring ways of working with the mind and taking the practices into daily life. The other option introduces key Buddhist teachings and seeks through discussion to provide a forum where the relevance and practical implications of the ideas can be explored. The emphasis of both classes is to help participants to establish the practices in a meaningful way in their lives. Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7.15 - 9.45pm; £8 (waged); £4 (concessions). A full introduction to meditation suitable for newcomers. All welcome. Just drop in. Essentials of Meditation and Buddhism: 1 - 2pm £3/2 Mon lunchtimes With Devapriya and Santva This is a new class which started in Jan 2008. All are welcome - we respond to the needs and experience of those who come along. Tuesday and Thursday Lunch times 1 - 2pm. £3 / 2. Drop in class. All welcome. No experience necessary. An introduction to meditation practice. Led by Suddhaka and Candrasurya. Wednesday Lunch times 1 - 2pm - we have a 'Going Deeper' class - for those with experience of both practices who wish to learn more and get mutual support in their practice. cost: £3 / 2. Friday Lunch times 1 - 2 pm - we run a silent practice session (with bells) Cost: £3 / 2. With Adarsha Friday Practice Night: 7.00 - 9.30pm Meditation and Puja without instruction. Suggested donation £ 6/3 Please refer to finding us for a map. Open to all, just drop in.

		Meditation Courses

		Click Here!! CARE AND WELL-BEING: Mindfulness Based Courses !!Click Here Many people find that consistency of teacher and group is a supportive way to learn both of the practices we teach, the Metta Bhavana (the development of loving kindness) and the Mindfulness of Breathing. The courses blend practice with theory. Our meditation teachers' approach is informal and friendly. Introduction to Buddhist Meditation Six-Week Course on Thursdays With Manjuka, 6 Mar – 10 Apr For those wishing to learn the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Mettabhavana meditation practices. Course cost: £40 / 20 Weekly £8 / 4. Time: 7.15 – 9.30pm Booking required.

		Meditation Days & Workshops

		These days offer a unique opportunity to bring meditation into our life and experience ourselves in stillness and in an atmosphere of acceptance and support. Introductory Meditation Days 10am – 5pm £25/15 Booking essential. Saturday 3 May with Vajramitra Saturday 7 June with Lalitaraja Saturday 26 July with Amalavajra Sunday 31 August with Visuddhimati Is There Life Before Death? with Akasavajri and Ananta. We will explore principles of mindfulness through the Anapanasati method, an extended mindfulness of breathing practice,to help us become more alive to our experience and awake in our lives. Open to all levels of meditative experience. Sunday 27 April 10am–5pm By donation. (Suggested £25/15) Meditation and Ritual Day with Abhilasa and Visuddhimati A day exploring the Brahmaviharas (the Sublime Abodes) and the Sevenfold Puja. Sun 15 June 10am–5pm by donation. (We suggest £25/15). That Lovin' Feeling with Akasavajri and Ananta. A day dedicated to listening, acceptance and love with an emphasis on how the practice of Meditation leads to the open heartedness which listens to our own joys and sorrows and hears the cries and laughter of the world. Sunday 29 June 10am–5pm By donation. (Suggested £25/15) Images of Awakening with Manjuka Two meditation workshops using an imaginative approach to explore the guiding metaphors in Sangharakshita's 'System of Meditation'. 'Growth' following the Path, 'being' and 'Buddhanature','spiritual death and rebirth': understanding the metaphorical nature of how we talk about meditation allows for a creative 'way in' which avoids the traps of literalism and complacency.Who is Manjuka? Sun 13 Jul and Sun 27 Jul 10am–5pm by donation. (We suggest £25/15 per Day). The Edge of Certainty with Vasumitra A Day cultivating insight. There is nothing happening, no individual, no separation, no understanding, and yet it seems as if there is a separate individual who chooses things to happen. It feels as if "I" am in control but actually everything happens to no-one. With discussion, and just sitting. For regular meditators and Buddhists. Booking essential. Sun Nov 23 10am–5pm £30/20 Booking for days or workshops essential. Bring vegetarian lunch to share.

		Meditation Weekends

		Opening to Awareness with Tejananda. 10 - 11 May £30/20 per day. £50/35 for the weekend. For regular practitioners who are familiar with our basic meditation practices. Awareness is something that we usually take for granted - we're much more interested in what comes up in awareness than in awareness itself. But if we can turn the spotlight of awareness round, to illuminate itself, all sorts of fascinating and unexpected perspectives arise. On this weekend we'll be opening up to the wonderful 'hidden jewel' of awareness through mindfulness of the body, meditation and reflection. Opening up to awareness is opening up to the Dharma itself. Who is Tejananda? For all days and weekends: Booking Essential – Bring vegetarian lunch to share.

		Friday Practice Night
		An Evening of Communal Practice A simple evening of meditation and Puja (Buddhist ritual) suitable for people who know both practices we teach and are familiar with or interested in experiencing Puja. With Simon Osborne, Robert Beard and Tony Royle An evening of meditation and ritual. Dana £6 / 3 Every Friday 7:00 for 7:30pm start. Please ask for more information. Full Moon Puja On Friday evenings 7:00 - 9:30 pm As Part of the practice culture of the NLBC we are conducting full moon pujas over the coming season. The dates for these events are the closest Friday to the full moon as is practicable. 16 May (celebrating the Buddha's Enlightenment) with TBC 20 Jun with tbc 18 July with tbc 15 August with TBC All are welcome to these events please ask before-hand for information about puja as a practice.


		CARE AND WELL-BEING

		MINDFULNESS-BASED COURSES In the 1980’s scientists from the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre in the United States, turned their attention to methods of the East, particularly mindfulness meditation to treat patients suffering from acute stress, pain and depression. They found that this type of meditation [often combined with a psychological approach] is an effective tool to help people explore their condition and become more aware of themselves and the way they think and behave and the choices they can make to have a chance to improve the quality of their lives. Ever since, this approach has gained reputation and is now widely used around the world. This season, the NLBC is delighted to be able to offer different courses, each of them addressing one specific condition. Qualified and experienced instructors and long-stranding meditation practitioners will lead these courses. Mindfulness based stress reduction with Karunagita (Sara Burns) An intensive 8 week course learning methods to respond to sources of stress in our lives and ways of dealing with anxiety. Includes daily home practice using CDs, workbook and journal and a practice day. £180/140. Booking essential. Wed 4 June – 23 Jul 7pm – 9pm. Practice day: 5 July 10.30 – 4 Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy for Depression with Pippa O’Connor Two 8 week courses which aim to prevent further episodes of depression. Includes daily home practice using CDs, workbook and journal and a practice day. Mon 7 April – 26 May Mon 2 Jun – 21 Jul 7.30 – 9.45pm £140/100 per course including materials. Booking essential. Listening to your Heart with Manjudeva Two six week courses drawing on Focusing skills and Mindfulness to explore inner listening, self-empathy, the body’s knowing, transforming difficult emotions and inner conflict. 15 places only.Who is Manjudeva? Wed 26 Mar – 30 Apr Wed 28 May – 2 Jul 7.15 – 9.45 £120/80 per course (includes materials) All course facilitators have many years of meditation practice experience and are qualified/certified teachers. Booking Essential for all the above courses. NB. The mindfulness-based approach does not make any claims to remove the primary sources of pain, stress or depression. Rather, it offers a range of self-management skills that can be used on a continuing basis to better manage our reactions to daily events – and to alter our relationship to them.

		Yoga and Meditation Events

		Working on both body and mind can have a powerful transformative effect. These events are an opportunity to explore both practices. Watch the notice board or check the website for the styles of yoga taught. Suitable for all levels of experience. Yoga and Meditation days: Yoga and Meditation Day With Carl Hargreaves. £40/30 Saturday 22 June 10am – 5pm Yoga and Meditation Day With Amalavajra and Amanda Owen Saturday 12 July 10am – 5pm. £40/30 Buddhist meditation is a natural extension of yoga asana practice. As we become more present to our physical experience our awareness of mind naturally deepens and clarifies. This day includes an introduction to meditation practices which cultivate a still, collected mind and a warmer more open heart. No previous experience necessary. Yin yoga and Meditation With Amalavajra and Norman Blair Sunday 21 Sept 10am – 5pm. £40/30 You will need to book these courses in advance. Please phone or email us for further details.

		Residential weekend retreats

		Retreats are an ideal way to deepen your meditation practice in the quiet and beauty of the countryside. Typically, there are 2 or 3 meditation sessions a day, discussion about practice plus opportunities to explore the countryside. Lifts may be available. Contact us for more details. A NLBC Sangha Retreat at Vajrasana Retreat Centre. The Awakening of Faith Led by Lalitaraja & Visuddhimati Date: Friday 16 - Sunday 18 May Booking required: Fee: £90/70/50. Call us on 0207 700 1177 for details. Please check Back soon!