These classes have been ongoing at Buddha House since the centre's inception. They provide practical instruction as well as encouragement in the basics of meditation, presented in a way that has a wide ranging appeal.

The classes can be attended by people who are brand new to the concept of meditation, or by experienced meditators looking to strengthen their practice. You do not need to be a Buddhist nor subscribe to any particular belief to benefit from Learn to Meditate.

Led by experienced practitioners. All welcome.

Teacher: Led by experienced students.
Times: Every Monday & Tuesday, 6 - 7 pm
Classes not held on public holidays.
Facility Fee: $5
Location: Buddha House - Tusmore on Monday and Tuesday, 6-7 pm
Suitable for: Everybody. All welcome.

Article by Natalie Kagan

These classes were instrumented by Doc Wight over 20 years ago in his garden shed when Lama Yeshe asked him to start a Dharma Centre in Adelaide.

From this humble beginning Buddha House has grown to its present form, bursting at the seams, with so many different levels of teachings from kindergarten to university!

For many people 'Learn to Meditate' is their first contact with Buddha House. They come here in all shapes and sizes for many different reasons, but mainly to address the suffering of the materialistic, selfish way of life our culture tells us will make us happy. The class is aimed at the broadest cross-section of people, assuming they have no prior contact with meditation or Buddhism in particular. It is non-threatening, non-religious and attempts to give very simple instruction in mindfulness meditation, keeping the mind focused on the breath without chasing after thoughts, so as to be able to create some inner space and calm. A short practice is led with reminders to "get back to the breath".

I have been sharing this class with Doc on a monthly basis - this is good for newcomers as it gives a sense that there are 84,000 ways to approach Dharma - not only one way ! By putting the instruction into practice yourself, you can then see the results ! It's also recommended that you do some reading from books by well- known teachers to increase your understanding, inspire you and keep your focus.

'Learn to Meditate' is offered free (although a small donation is appreciated) as a wish to benefit others. It has grown into something quite wonderful, with many thousands of people benefiting as their lives become enriched by the practice of investigating the nature of their mind. Just as Buddha House began from a small seed in Doc's garden shed, so the first contact someone makes with BH can grow and flourish into fulfilment and peace.

"Learning to meditate is the greatest thing you can do for yourself in this life - using your present human body to begin the discovery of your true nature and finding the stability and confidence you must have to live well."

Related Pages:

• The Buddha House Meditation Room (Gompa)
  - this is the place where it all happens!
• Etiquette and helpful info for new students
  - Whats different about being at a Buddhist Centre?
• New research finds that meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness - Brain regions associated with attention, interoception and sensory processing were thicker in meditation participants than matched controls, suggesting that meditation might offset age-related cortical thinning. More Scientific data