Weekly Buddhism and Meditation Schedule in Brighton
Mondays:
Unguided meditation: 6 - 7.15pm
Unguided meditation for approx. one hour followed by some discussion/ feedback on practice.
Info: Duncan 01273 241269
Forest Sangha Group: 7.30 - 9.30pm (door open 7.15pm)
(There will be no break during the summer)
Drop-in. A group affiliated to Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries, in the tradition of the Theravadin Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. Each evening includes group chanting, followed by meditation and teachings, sometimes with visiting monastic teachers from Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries.
Info: Sasha 07905 118646 or David 01273 723378.
Tuesdays:
Dharma, Dialogue & Meditation with facilitator: Rory Singer
5 - 7pm
The purpose of this group is to deepen our understanding of the Buddhist teachings. Each week we will take a Buddhist Sutta (or excerpt) and contemplate it in five ways. (1) Sutta will be read out loud. (2) We will speak out the words and phrases from the Sutta we resonate with. (3) We will explore the meaning of the Sutta. (4) We will explore how we feel in relation to the Sutta. (5) We will explore how the Sutta relates to us in our lives and practice.
The outline of the evening will look something like this:- Chant the reflections on ‘Loving-Kindness' / Sit in silent meditation for 30 minutes / Explore the Sutta / End by chanting the ‘Sharing of Blessings'.
There will be two six week courses each costing £60 payable in advance with a weekly suggested donation to the Bodhi Garden of £5
Course 1: 13, 20, 27 Sept, 4, 11, 18 Oct.
Course 2: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Nov / 7 Dec
Info Rory: 07739 556438 , rory@ontopofthemountain.com
Satipanya Group 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 7.30 to 9.30pm (doors open 7.15)
(The group will be taking a break during August and reconvening in September.)
This group is affiliated to Bhante Bodhidhamma, an English monk trained in the tradition of the Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. The evening will begin with chanting followed by sitting and walking meditation all in the Mahasi tradition. Finally, a teaching followed by a cup of tea and chat. Newcomers welcome. Info: Jayne on 01273 561397 or 01273 500065
Wednesdays:
During August the Green Tara and Open group will be taking a break and reconvening in September. The Zen group will be taking a break in 25th August & 1st September.
Morning Zazen (Soto Zen meditation): 7.30 - 8.30am (arrive by 7.25am)
Zazen (Soto Zen meditation) directed by ordained members of the International Zen
Association (IZA). All are welcome, but it is recommended that beginners attend an introduction on Fridays at 7.00pm.
Info: Jay and Heather 01273 682974.
Brighton Green Tara Group: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of month 3 - 5pm (door opens 2.45pm)
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.
Brighton LGBT Meditation Group: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of month 5.45 - 7.15pm (door opens 5.30pm)
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.
Open Meditation Evening: 7.30 - 9pm (door open 7.15pm)
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
Soto Zen Meditation: 7:30 - 9pm (arrive by 7.20pm)
The group will be taking a break on 26th August & 2nd September
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 7pm.
Info: Jay or Heather 01273 682974.
Fridays
Special Editions
Creative Dharma Nights
There will be a break in events during the month of August
This year’s Special Editions is now taking shape, and a range of activities will be offered under the heading Creative Dharma Nights.
Many meditators also work in the creative arts and have developed practices that are compatible with and support Buddha Dharma practice. These nights are an opportunity to share these skills, build Sangha across denominations, have fun, and explore the many creative ways to bring awareness around speech, movement, voice etc.
Watch the website and the notice board for details of other initiatives, and contact Rosie Roberts on 01273 731891 with any suggestions you may have for further workshops or if you wish to offer one yourself
Coming Events
Friday 10th September
Quantum Physics and Buddhist Philosophy: The Shock of the Old
At the end of his life the remarkable twentieth century quantum physicist
John Wheeler asked: 'Is it all a Magic Show? Is Reality an Illusion?' Two
thousand years previously Buddhist Philosophers had offered their answer: 'Phenomena
as they appear … are just like appearances in magical illusions.' Graham Smetham
the author of ' Quantum Buddhism: Dancing in Emptiness ' presents an evening of thought experiments and discussion about the interface between Quantum Physics and Buddhism.
Friday 17th September
Meeting the Other: Buddhist Psychotherapy in action
'Other centred therapy' is a Buddhist approach to psychotherapy based on Buddhist psychology. In this workshop Caroline Brazier, leader of the Amida therapy training programme and author of five books on Buddhism and psychology will introduce some of the core principles of this approach. There will be space for discussion and questions.
Friday 24thSeptember
A Further evening of Buddhist devotional chanting with Abbie Mead and Nick Diggins.
Buddhist mantras are generally renowned for their calming and meditative quality, unlike the more ecstatic Bhajans from the Hindu tradition. However, there are also many very beautiful, rapturous and heart-opening devotional Buddhist mantras and chants. Come and join us for another taste of the more colourful and passionate side of Buddhist devotional singing. Feel free to bring instruments and drums.