Weekly Buddhism and Meditation Schedule in Brighton
Summer 20
08
Mondays 6 - 7.15pm (door open 5.45pm): Unguided meditation
Drop-in. Unguided sitting period. Info: Alan 07966 046524 or John 07793 085493.
Mondays 7.30 - 9.30pm (door open 7.15pm):
Forest Sangha Group
Drop-in. A group affiliated to Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries, in the tradition of the Theravadin Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. Each evening starts with chanting, followed by meditation and teachings, sometimes with visiting monastic teachers from Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries. Info: Sam 07888 821524 or Sasha 07905 118646.
Tuesdays 7.30 - 9pm (door open 7.15pm):
6-week course: A Beginner’s Guide to Buddhism and Meditation
17th June - 22nd July
6-week course. Now started. This course introduces the fundamentals of Buddhist practice, history and philosophy, focussing on the major Theravadin, Tibetan and Zen traditions.
Wednesdays 7.30 - 8.30am (arrive by 7.25am):
Morning Zazen (Soto Zen meditation)
All are welcome, but it is recommended that beginners attend an introduction on Fridays at 7.30pm.
Info: Jay and Heather 01273 682974.
Wednesdays 3 - 5pm (door open 2.45pm):
Brighton Green Tara Group
Drop-in. Green Tara praises, prayers, meditation, ‘Tonglen’ (Tibetan compassionate healing practice), and mind training. The Green Tara group is attached to the Sangha of Samye Ling Monastery (Scotland) and Samye Dzong (London). Full Green Tara practice also takes place on the first Sunday every month (see ‘Other Events’ above). All are welcome and the practices are explained. Info: Patricia 01273 739187.
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of month 5.45 - 7.15pm (door open 5.30pm):
Brighton LGBT Meditation Group
Drop-in. The Brighton Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Meditation Group is an open group suitable for people with no experience of meditation. Each session consists of two periods of meditation lasting about 20 minutes with a short reading or tape in between. The meditation is facilitated, usually, by Sheila who learnt mediation practice from the monks and nuns of the Amaravati Thai Forest tradition. An eclectic selection of readings are taken from all the Buddhist traditions and also the Sufi, Hindu and Judeo-Christian traditions. Info: Sheila 07789 861367.
Wednesdays 7.30 - 9pm (door open 7.15pm):
Open Meditation Evening
Drop-in. Suitable for all meditators, from complete beginners. Suitable for all meditators, from complete beginners. The evening consists of one guided meditation session (often mindfulness of breathing, or loving-kindness meditation) and one unguided period. In between, there is a dialogue/listening period, which is also an opportunity to discuss any issues arising from your practice. Info: Richard 07796 331167.
Thursdays 7.30 - 9pm (door open 7.15pm):
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Group
Drop-in. Suitable for all meditators, this group follows the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is in the Rimé tradition (a 19th century non-sectarian movement in Tibet). Each session consists of a guided meditation, a reading and some discussion.We are currently reading 'How To Meditate' by Kathleen McDonald and 'The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' by Sogyal Rinpoche. Info: Chris 07857 795985.
Fridays 8 - 9.30pm (arrive by 7.55pm):
Soto Zen Meditation
Drop-in (but see note below). "True Zen means sitting quietly in the right posture. Zen means setting the mind at rest, concentrating intuition and reasoning together. Zen is not some special state, it is our normal condition, silent, peaceful, awake, without agitation" (Taisen Deshimaru). Soto Zen was founded in Japan by Dogen in the 13th century and brought to Europe by Taisen Deshimaru in 1967. Kodo Sawaki Roshi, from whom Master Deshimaru received transmission, endeavoured throughout his life to return Zen to its purest source, the practice of zazen. Zazen is directed by ordained members of the International Zen Association. An introduction for beginners will start at 7.30pm . Info: Jay and Heather 01273 682974.