Gateway to Bliss: A Meditation Course on the Dhyanas

The term ‘Dhyanas,’ used by the Buddha, describes higher states of meditation that lead to happiness and bliss, transcending our everyday waking minds. These states might seem elusive, even mysterious in our daily meditation practice, but with the right approach they can start to feel more accessible.

In this four-week course we will explore the depths of meditation, giving you the tools and methods to enhance your practice from its very foundations. This will include relaxation (shamata), cultivating openness, receptivity, and gratitude. Each session will be treated as a 'mini-retreat,' creating the ideal conditions to experience and navigate expanded states of consciousness. We will also address how to manage hindrances and blocks, helping bridge the gap between the expansive states you might have experienced on retreat and your day-to-day meditation practice.

This course is suitable for those with a regular meditation practice, those who have learned the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana on our regular Monday night drop-ins. 

• Four Wednesday evenings starting 26th June 
• Led by Prajnaghosa and Akashamitra
• 7.15-9.30pm
• Effra Space, 21 Effra Parade SW2 1PX
• Venue has step-free access throughout

Donations

Our courses are run on a donation basis. We are completely reliant on your gifts to run these events, and to keep them accessible for those without the means to give financially. We'd suggest a donation of £80/60 for the whole 4-week course, depending on your income.

FAQ

• Can I come if I'm new or if I'm not a Buddhist? 

Yes! All of our courses are open to all, and newcomers are very welcome. There will be people with a range of experience on this course, including people who have been practicing Buddhism or meditation for many years, as well as many people who are completely new. We find that having a wide range of experiences gives the best opportunity for exploring the themes of the course.

• I can't make all the dates, can I still do the course? 

If you can’t attend the whole course, then it is ok to miss a week or two of the series. However, it is good to make as many as you can. The material in the courses develops over the weeks, and you may find it difficult to follow if you miss too many. We do ask that everyone is at least able to make the first week of the course, so that we can all start the course together.

• What if I can't afford to pay for the course?

All our courses are free to book, with a suggested or recommended donation. We do this so that anyone experiencing serious financial difficulties can book on without giving any donation at all if they cannot afford to do so.

Obviously our courses do require money to run, so we rely on the generous donations from those that can afford to pay the full cost in order to subsidise those who cannot afford to do so. This is in accordance with the Buddhist principle of open-handed generosity. We are pleased to say that in the many years we have offered courses in this way. Most people decide to give, and those that are unable to do so at the present time are very appreciative of still having the opportunity to attend.

• Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?

Yes, we are able to claim Gift Aid on your course donation if you have made any Gift Aid eligible donations through our website in the past four years. This is a huge help to us, and is at no additional cost to you.

If you have not registered for Gift Aid with us before and would like to do so, you can do this by making a donation of any amount through our website and ticking the Gift Aid donation box. https://brixtonbuddhistmeditation.org/donate