Meditation allows us to take time to notice the way our mind works and connect more deeply with our hearts. It offers a practical way of becoming more calm, clear and alive to our moment-to-moment experience. Through meditation we can practice mindfulness both while we’re on the cushion, and in our wider lives.
The best way to learn to meditate is at a class with a teacher who can help you develop your practice. Here at the Hertford Buddhist Group we run weekly classes where you can learn how to meditate, or if you have been meditating for a while, we have experienced teachers to help you deepen your meditation practice. Meditating with others can enhance your practice and help you make connections and friendships with others on a similar path. We provide a friendly, welcoming space, and always cups of tea.
Our weekly drop-in classes are held in-person on Tuesday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm each week at our space at the Mill Bridge Rooms in Hertford. Details of our regular classes and upcoming courses can be found in our What’s On section, here.
At our meditation classes we teach simple but profound meditation practices rooted in the Buddhist tradition that were taught over two thousand years ago: the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana (Loving-Kindness Practice). If you’d like to familiarise yourself with these practices, you can follow along with the meditations below.
This Mindfulness of Breathing meditation uses awareness of our natural breath to calm the mind and relax the body. It can be easily learned and practiced and is suitable for anyone who feels that they could benefit from an increased sense of spaciousness and tranquility in their lives.
This Metta Bhavana, or Loving Kindness practice helps us to connect with our hearts and encourage loving kindness towards others and ourselves. It is a meditation that engages our positive emotions and imagination, offering a new and more creative perspective on how we relate to ourselves and the world.