Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation Course
A six-week course in the essentials
7.15 - 9.45pm | In person | £130/£85
More and more people are talking about a crisis of meaning. We face environmental disaster, species collapse, and rising mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and loneliness. More than ever, we need a sense of orienting values that can help us weigh priorities and give us something to serve.
Buddhism tells us we need to become part of the solution rather than the problem - and this crucially means working to become a ‘force for good’ in the world. Buddhism is a radically different vision of religion. Without belief in a creator god, it envisions an unconditioned beyond space and time, inner and outer, self and world.
On this six-week course, you’ll explore the fundamentals of Buddhism, alongside meditation and mindfulness. Our aim for the course is to give you a glimpse of the Buddhist vision, and working methods for how to live it out.
Structure of the course
We'll explore:
- You’ll learn what Buddhism means by ‘Enlightenment’ through exploring the Buddha’s life story
- You’ll learn about the ‘law of karma’ – that actions have appropriate consequences, and that by understanding this, you can start to shape your life for the good
- You’ll be introduced to two fundamental approaches to meditation: one that cultivates calm-concentration, the other emotional strength
- You’ll take up a more devotional attitude to the universe, practising ritual and devotion, and unleashing your imagination
- You’ll be learning all of this by applying it practically to your life here and now.
Week 1
Learn the basics of meditation posture, practise the initial stages of the Mindfulness of Breathing and explore the life story of the Buddha.
Week 2
Learn the full Mindfulness of Breathing meditation practice and delve into the meaning of Enlightenment in Buddhism.
Week 3
Explore the meaning of Karma in Buddhism and how we can work with it, as well as discovering new ways of engaging with meditation.
Week 4
Start to learn the Metta Bhavana meditation practice and discover the five principles of action that help us move our lives in more positive directions.
Week 5
Learn the full Metta Bhavana practice and explore ritual and devotion in Buddhism and opening to the influence of Enlightenment both within and outside ourselves.
Week 6
Consolidate what you have learned, explore your next steps and hear a full Dharma talk.
Is this course for me?
This introductory course is open to everyone, including complete newcomers, and is aimed at making meditation and Buddhism accessible to all.
The classes take place at the London Buddhist Centre, in a friendly environment. They are led by Buddhist teachers who will guide you through each week's topic, answer your questions, and help you to reflect on how the teachings are relevant in your life.
There will also be opportunities to connect with others, through discussion and a tea break. After each class, we will send you a follow-up email with the key ideas and practices to try out during the week. We'll also support you to think about next steps when the course ends.
We hope to see you there!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the most from the course?
Here are some top tips for taking part:
Come every week – whether you feel like it or not. If you look for motivation before you do something, you reverse your motivation; mostly you only want to do something when you’re actually doing it.
Come early – so you can relax before the class.
Do your ‘home practice’ every day – then each week you’ll be in a small group to check in about how that went.
What if I can’t make every session?
Often people need to miss a session or two, so feel free to book anyway. We'll send follow-up emails which will recap some of the content you missed.
If you are going to miss a class – Just get in touch so that we know and do come back the following week.
What if I can’t afford it?
If money is a barrier to you booking on a course, we would be happy to discuss other ways to help you book on. You can use the concessionary rate or contact the bookings office:
bookings@lbc.org.uk02087099978 (10am-5pm weekdays)
You can read more information about payments and cancellations on our Bookings Policy page here.
