Meditation and the Dhyanas: Discovering Pleasure and Absorption

How can we cultivate a dynamic relationship with meditation - one that uplifts, energises, and transforms our lives?

On this course we’ll be exploring the meditative states known as the Dhyanas. These are profound experiences of pleasure, stillness and absorption which are entirely natural and available in meditation. The Dhyanas are not just for yogis practising in the caves of the Himalayas, they are within our reach and often all we need is the signposts to find them for ourselves.

Contacting these states for ourselves can reignite an excitement about the potential of meditation from which you will naturally want meditation to become a regular, even essential part of your life. If your meditation feels flat or effortful, this course will help inspire your confidence in the pleasure of meditation practice.

The sensations of the body, and of metta, are the most accessible gateway for entering into the Dhyanic states. This four-week course will consist of four progressive meditation workshops on entering Dhyana through the body, each led by experienced meditators from our community.

Each workshop 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 everyday meditation.

Led by Suddhaka, Shraddhamalini and Maitrinara. Four Wednesday evenings, 7.15pm to 9.30pm, starting 8 July.

FAQ

• Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?

Yes, we are able to claim Gift Aid on your course donation. Please tick the box at checkout to enable us to collect Gift Aid on your donation.

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

This course is designed for those who have been meditating for a while, and are familiar with the practices we teach: the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana practice.  

• 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 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?

This course is by donation. We do this so that anyone experiencing severe financial difficulties can still attend this course. We also offer the option of paying by Klarna, which allows you to space out payments over time. 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.