Meditation

There are many types of meditation techniques taught by various traditions. The meditation techniques we teach consist of two simple practices drawn from the Buddhist tradition. The pair complement each other and can be learned by anyone. You don't have to be a Buddhist to benefit from them!

The first is called the 'Mindfulness of Breathing', and is designed to help you calm you mind and integrate your energies. The second is called the 'Development of Loving Kindness' (traditionally known as the 'Metta Bhavana') and helps to develop a strong positive concern for your own welfare, and the welfare of others.

Meditation helps us change the way we relate to ourselves and the world. If you suffer from stress, you can learn to calm down. If you are anxious, you can learn to relax. If anger is an issue for you, you can learn to let go. If you are shy, you can develop confidence.

The main thing we learn is that we have a choice about what we think and feel. Meditation empowers us to choose. And if you are searching for the answers to deeper questions in your life, meditation can help along the way.

Class Times

Our meditation classes are run in five-week cycles. The classes are usually on Wednesday or Thursday nights, 7.30pm to 10pm. Class numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Starting Dates, 2008

The five-week courses will start on:

Wednesday:
April 2nd
May 14th
June 18th
July 23rd

Thursday:
April 3rd
May 15th
June 19th
July 24th

Cost

€ 150 for waged, € 95 for unwaged or students.

Book Now!

To book onto these courses, call the centre or use the booking form.

Yoga and Meditation Workshops

Many people find yoga and meditation highly complementary. Dh. Pavara and Dh. Jnanadhara have been running these highly successful workshops for some time now. They are suitable for all levels of yoga, as well for beginners to meditation. Even experienced meditators have been getting a lot out of them!

The next Yoga and Meditation Days are:

Sunday 25th May 2008, 10am - 5pm.
Sunday 31st August 2008, 10am - 5pm.

Led by Pavara and Jnanadhara.

Cost: €30 unwaged / €60 waged. Booking required - book on now!

Meditation Day Workshops

July: Sunday 27th, 10am - 5pm.

On these introductory days both the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Development of Loving Kindness meditations will be taught, as well as walking meditation. They are ideal as a taster for those new to meditation, or as a refreshing day retreat for those who'd like a boost to their practice.

Led by Jnanadhara.

Cost: € 30 unwaged / € 60 waged. Booking required - book on now!

After the Course...

For those who wish to continue their meditation practice in a supportive context, meditation sessions and discussion are held on Fridays 6pm - 7.30pm on a drop-in basis. Anyone who has completed a Foundation Meditation Course is welcome to attend. More Details

We also regular weekend meditation retreats. See the special events page for details.

If you wish to take your meditation practice further, we run Follow-On Meditation courses. See below for dates of courses.

Follow-On Courses

The next follow-on course will take place on:

Monday:
June 16th 2008

Other Resources

Our meditation notes are now online! Click below to see each week.

Week 1 - Introduction
Week 2 - Setting up & Finishing
Week 3 - Metta Bhavana
Week 4 - The Ways the Mind Wanders
Week 5 - Setting up a practice at home

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 5.0 or later, to read these. This is available free here, but is most likely already on your computer. To save these to your computer, right click the file and choose 'Save file as...' (Internet Explorer), 'Save Link As...' (Mozilla Firefox), or 'Save Link Target As...' (Netscape).

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring to the meditation class?
We supply all the equipment you will need. This mainly consists of meditation blocks and chairs. It is better to wear comfortable and nonrestrictive clothing, for personal comfort. Apart from this, just give yourself plenty of time to arrive and relax, so that you can be in as rested a state of mind as possible for the class.

Will the meditation course help me to relax?
Meditation is a tool for positive change. It will help you to move from stressed, uncomfortable states of mind to more open, appreciative and calm states of mind. It will also help you to deal with situations which would normally lead to stress in a more creative and resourceful way.

I'm a complete beginner. Is it difficult to learn to meditate?
The foundation course is suitable for complete beginners who have never meditated before. Some people find it difficult, some find it easy, but all people who do it remark on its usefulness. The course aims to help you have your own regular practice at home, with enough skills to maintain your practice.

Do I have to be interested in Buddhism to do the course?
You do not have to be interested in Buddhism to do the course. Most people who attend are simply looking for a way to relax, de-stress, and reinvigorate their lives. Others learn to meditate as a means of personal development and growth. The main aim of meditation is to bring about positive change in people's lives, and this is true regardless of personal beliefs.

For those who are interested in Buddhism, though, the course is an good introduction to the Buddhist approach in working with the mind, and once the foundation course is completed other courses and retreats on Buddhism are available.

Does the course involve chanting or mantras?
There are several different types of meditation available today in the West, many involving chanting or the use of mantras. However, they are not involved in the types of meditation we teach in the classes. For instance, in the 'Mindfulness of Breathing', the object of meditation is the breath. This meditation involves sitting quietly observing the flow of the breath in and out of the body. The 'Metta Bhavana', another practice we teach, involves quietly cultivating feelings of warmth and friendless towards yourself and others.

Do I need to be able to sit cross-legged or in full-lotus posture to meditate?
On the first night of the foundation meditation course we show all participants how to sit comfortably in a posture which suits their individual bodies. This may be cross-legged, but can also include sitting in a chair or on cushions. The main thing is that you are able to sit comfortably, upright and alert.