Meditation is a tool for change. By applying consistent effort we can become more spacious, calm and positive. In meditation we learn to respond creatively to what comes to us. Some unhelpful habits may be relatively superficial and easily altered, others can be deeply ingrained and will only shift incrementally over years. However, fully developed, Buddhism says that meditation leads to insight into the nature of reality.

We teach two meditation practices at the Thames Buddhist Centre. The first practice is called the "Mindfulness of Breathing". As its name implies, it is a meditation that uses the breath as an object of concentration. It is a particularly good antidote for restlessness and anxiety - an extremely common problem in our times. Concentration on the breath has a positive effect on one's entire physical and mental state. The breath is also portable, which means you can do the practice anywhere! The meditation has four progressive stages leading to a highly enjoyable level of concerntration.

The second practice is called the "Metta Bhavana". This translates as "the development of unlimited friendliness". It brings about a gentle but radical transformation of our emotional state. Through it we can overcome negative feelings such as fear and dislike, and replace them with a confident, kind and outward-going approach to life. We start the meditation by trying to improve our feelings towards ourselves, and then work in expanding stages until finally we arrive at a powerful feeling of love and compassion for all beings, all forms of life.

Meditation is taught by members of the Western Buddhist Order, who have themselves been practicing for years. Classes and courses are open to everyone: you need not be interested in Buddhism. Motives for learning meditation vary too. Some people want to improve their concentration for work, study or sports; others are looking for calm and peace of mind. Then there are people trying to answer fundamental questions about life. With regular practice, meditation can help all of us find what we are looking for.