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buddha day festival
With Meditation Club, led by Paramananda, Tarakarunya and Bodhilila, Sunday 26th May.
Buddha Day is the most important Buddhist Festival of the year, when we celebrate his Enlightenment. The Buddha gained Enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi tree so it feels appropriate that we are combining the day with our meditation club, led by Paramananda. Come at any of these times, all welcome, no charge:
10.30 a morning of meditation
1pm shared vegetarian lunch
2:00 discussion and meditation
5:00 talk by Paramananda followed by a shared vegetarian supper
7:00 meditation, reflection and a special Buddha puja with verses from the Dhammapada.
Dancing the unknown
Sunday 2 June 10.30am -5pm led by Jayachitta
Jayachitta will lead a day for anyone, combining the practice of movement improvisation and meditation. Simple fun exercises and games will help to promote creativity, mindfulness and a greater awareness of body and mind. Physical and vocal improvisation encourage us to listen to ourselves, to research how we respond to each other and to learn how we can live more sane and happy lives. We will be practising both improvisation and meditation, but all we do will be accessible, whether you have previous experience in either or not. You will pay close attention to yourself and others using movement and meditation, and have lots of laughs along the way.
Working with the body is very effective in supporting meditation. It provides the tools to enable embodied transformation. Central to improvisation as well as meditation are presence and openness:
- Presence is not a metaphysical idea, but a necessity in improvisation: one needs to attend to what is happening now in order to create this moment and the next.
- Openness is the quality of allowing whatever occurs to become a part of the creation as opposed to manufacturing an idea of events. Stepping into the space without plan, we discover what choices we make and where our interest and fascination lie.
Jayachitta has been practising meditation for over 30 years, exploring performance in various forms over the last 15 years and improvisation specifically these last 5 years. She will be co-leading a retreat with Paramananda at Dhanakosa later this year.
Please book ahead (use the button below), as the number of spaces is limited! Please wear clothing you can move in comfortably.
Cost £35
Meditation Day for Beginners
Sunday 16 June 10.30 -5.30, led by Bodhilila and Akashadevi
This day aims to give a thorough introduction to meditation. Two complementary meditation practices will be taught: the Mindfulness of Breathing (which helps to develop awareness, clarity, concentration and calm) and a loving kindness meditation (which helps to cultivate openness, kindness, compassion and confidence). The day will also introduce mindful walking and explore how to bring mindfulness into every day life. There will be guidance on posture and setting up a meditation practice as well as opportunities for questions and discussion about meditation.
Lunch is not provided, so if you would like to, do bring along vegetarian food to share.
Cost £45 waged; £30 part-waged; £20 concessions/unwaged
meditation club
Last Sunday of the month, 10:30 -5:00, usually with Paramananda. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. No need to book, suggested donation £20. Usually meditation 11-1, discussion from 2pm, finishing with meditation.
Sunday 26 May led by Paramananda, with Buddha Day festival (talk at 5pm, meditation and puja at 7pm)
Sunday 30 June led by Paramananda
Sunday 28 July led by Paramananda
Sunday 25 August leader tba
Sunday 29 September leader tba
Sunday 27 October led by Paramananda
Sunday 24 November led by Paramananda
WOMEN’S EVENTs
Sunday 9th June 11am – 4pm led by Yashobodhi
Join us for a day of meditation, reflection, discussion and ritual. We’ll be exploring the poison of jealousy or envy. Sangharakshita makes the following distinction: ‘It is either envy, which one feels with regard to something one doesn’t have but would like to have, or jealousy, which one feels with regard to something of which one is already in possession.’ (from Know Your Mind). We’ll be looking at antidotes, ways to transform it and the deep wisdom the poison points to.
The first half of the day is focused on meditation (11 – 1 pm). After lunch (1 – 2 pm, shared vegetarian) Yashobodhi will give a short talk, followed by discussion and reflection (2 – 4 pm).
All women who are familiar with the Metta Bhavana and the Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practices are welcome. No need to book. Suggested donation £15.
Each session explores one of the 5 poisons of hatred, greed, envy, conceit and ignorance.
Future dates for this year:
Saturday 13th July 12:30 – 5:30pm led by Yashobodhi
no meeting in August
Sunday 8th September 11am – 4pm led by Yashobodhi
Saturday 12th October 12:30 – 5:30pm led by Yashobodhi
Saturday 2nd November 12:30 – 5:30pm led by Bodhilila
Sunday 1st December 11am – 4pm led by Yashobodhi
festival dates 2013
- Buddha Day: Sunday 26 May
- Dharma Day: Sunday 21 July
- Padmasambhava Day: Sunday 15 September
- Sangha Day: Sunday 17 November