The Benefits of Awareness Meditation
In clinical studies, awareness meditation practices have consistently shown to:
· Reduce the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety disorders
· Lengthen the attention span
· Transform addictive behaviours
· Reduce age-related memory loss
· Improve sleep
· Help manage pain
· Decrease blood pressure
We provide the opportunity to learn to meditate within a safe, supportive and friendly environment under the careful guidance of qualified teachers and experienced facilitators.
Two structured awareness meditation practices are taught at our centre. The first, Awareness of the Breath, is focused on developing concentration and clarity. The second, Awareness of Kindness, focuses on developing helpful emotional states.
These classes operate on a drop-in basis, with no ongoing obligation. You do not need to bring anything with you. All equipment is supplied. We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing and easy slip-off shoes. No knowledge or interest in Buddhism is required to participate in these classes.
You will find many like-minded people at our classes. They take time out of their hectic schedules to learn something that provides the opportunity to develop a healthy, contented way of life.
Our Approach
Awareness Meditation is:
1. Paying attention to sensations, emotions and thoughts in a non-judgmental way
2. A systematic process of relaxed concentration with a single focal point
3. Practised sitting upright
4. Developed by consistent practice over time
5. Part of a holistic lifestyle to enable well-being and peace of mind
Awareness Meditation is not:
1. Emptying your mind of thoughts
2. Removing, subtracting or auditing memories
3. Daydreaming, ruminating on the past, imagining colours or images, or listening to music
4. An audio-suggestive technique
5. Practised lying down or reclining
6. Striving to achieve or attain anything
· Reduce the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety disorders
· Lengthen the attention span
· Transform addictive behaviours
· Reduce age-related memory loss
· Improve sleep
· Help manage pain
· Decrease blood pressure
We provide the opportunity to learn to meditate within a safe, supportive and friendly environment under the careful guidance of qualified teachers and experienced facilitators.
Two structured awareness meditation practices are taught at our centre. The first, Awareness of the Breath, is focused on developing concentration and clarity. The second, Awareness of Kindness, focuses on developing helpful emotional states.
These classes operate on a drop-in basis, with no ongoing obligation. You do not need to bring anything with you. All equipment is supplied. We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing and easy slip-off shoes. No knowledge or interest in Buddhism is required to participate in these classes.
You will find many like-minded people at our classes. They take time out of their hectic schedules to learn something that provides the opportunity to develop a healthy, contented way of life.
Our Approach
Awareness Meditation is:
1. Paying attention to sensations, emotions and thoughts in a non-judgmental way
2. A systematic process of relaxed concentration with a single focal point
3. Practised sitting upright
4. Developed by consistent practice over time
5. Part of a holistic lifestyle to enable well-being and peace of mind
Awareness Meditation is not:
1. Emptying your mind of thoughts
2. Removing, subtracting or auditing memories
3. Daydreaming, ruminating on the past, imagining colours or images, or listening to music
4. An audio-suggestive technique
5. Practised lying down or reclining
6. Striving to achieve or attain anything
Our Practices |
AWARENESS OF BREATHThis Meditation practice is the foundational meditation practice of almost all of the contemplative traditions, of which Buddhism is but one. In time, it helps the practitioner develop a quality of mind that is peaceful and quiet and a much-needed sanctuary from the busyness of our everyday lives. Within the silence of the concentrated mind and with the clarity of our disciplined thought process, we bring a greater sense of well-being to our lives.
AWARENESS OF KINDNESSThis Meditation practice is the perfect antidote for the underlying sense of unease that is experienced by many in the West today. Low self-esteem, or a lack of self-worth, not only leads to self-directed anger and destructive behaviour, but also leads to anger towards others. In time this practice provides the practitioner with the opportunity to challenge and change their fixed views of their selves and others, which in turn, allows for the development of helpful emotional states of mind.
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