The Journey and the Guide: A Practical Course in Englightenment

We all want to live a valuable, purposeful and fulfilling life. We want our life to be our own, not predictable, boring or mapped out by others. But how do we do this?

The Buddha sought to answer this question, setting out on a journey that led to his Enlightenment. He then spent his life teaching people how they too can uncover their potential.

This course is a practical guide to Enlightenment. It outlines the Buddhist path of development that touches on every single aspect of our life. The course explores five threads of the spiritual journey and training: Integration, Positive Emotion, Spiritual Death, Spiritual Receptivity and Spiritual Rebirth. Its aim is the total transformation of the mind, so that we become a force for ourselves and those around us.

Firstly, we will explore how to gather ourselves enough so we can more fully get behind our desire to positively change. We can then cultivate our positive emotions such as courage and connectedness. From this basis, we can let go of any fixed sense of ourselves, and become more flexible and open to what's new, exciting, and truly meaningful. Finally, we can come to experience ourselves and the world in a completely revolutionary way.  

Based on a book by Maitreyabandhu – prize-winning poet and experienced teacher at the London Buddhist Centre -- the course mixes poetry and myth with down-to-earth instruction. You'll receive a copy of the book. You'll learn more about the Buddhist vision and be supported week-by-week in how to systematically apply it to your life, and notice any changes for yourself.

• Led by Maitrinara, Shraddhamalini and Shraddhin
• Eight Wednesday evenings starting 5 February
• 7.15-9.30pm
• At Effra Space SW2 1PX (venue has step-free access throughout)

Cost

The cost of the course is £160 (waged) /£100 Concession (low income) for the whole 8-week course, including the book The Journey and the Guide.

FAQs

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

The course is for you if you are relatively new to the Brixton Buddhist centre, and would like practical instruction on how to follow a Path that leads to growth and meaning.

This course is also for you if you've been coming to the centre for a while, and would like to understand how meditation fits into a complete system of practice.

Many people do the course more than once, learning something new and deepening their understanding each time. This course is for anyone interested in exploring the quest for growth and meaning

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?

You can request a Bursary by writing to us at info@brixtonbuddhistmeditation.org