Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation Course
A six-week course in the essentials
7.15 - 9.45pm | In person | £140/£85
Buddhism affirms our potential to grow. You can become more, much more, than you think you are. You can become wiser, happier, and more alive. You can be deeply in communication with other people and have a greater affinity for the natural world and make a positive impact on those around you.
If you're new to meditation or Buddhism, this six-week course will introduce you to key principles and practices in a friendly context.
By learning how to meditate, you will be able to cultivate more self-awareness, open-heartedness and insight. By reflecting on how the Buddha's teachings are relevant to your life, you will gain glimpses of a more expansive vision and tools that can benefit you for many years to come.
This course is ideal for understanding the wider context and purpose of Buddhist practice, and where meditation fits in. We run these courses on a regular basis and you can now book in advance.
Structure of the course
We'll explore:
- The mindfulness of breathing meditation practice
to cultivate focus - The metta bhavana (loving-kindness) meditation practice to cultivate friendliness and positivity
- What is Enlightenment?
- Karma and the effects of our actions of body, speech and mind
- Ethics and five key principles to have more positive lives
- Devotion, ritual, and its place in Buddhism
- Opening to the forces of Enlightenment within and beyond ourselves
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, you can use the concessionary rate or alternatively email bookings@lbc.org.uk or call 02087099978 (10am-5pm weekdays) and we would be happy to discuss other ways to help you get on retreat.
You can read more information about payments and cancellations on our Bookings Policy page here.
