Meditation graduation investigation (London edition)
January 4, 2024 1:58 AM Subscribe
I'm ending my subscription to Headspace after five years. I've been very satisficed with it, and I'm grateful for its introduction to meditation, but I'm ready for a next step. I'd appreciate your insights on what that next step might be, what it was for you, and if there's something offered in-person to experience next (especially if it's something I can look for in London).
2018-2019 was a genuine time of personal crisis, and I fell apart. That upheaval led me to therapy for the first time in my life, and it also led me to meditation. Since then, I've used the Headspace app to build a reliable, small meditation routine. (Shout out to whomever narrated the Midnight Launderette sleepcast—you talked me to sleep countless times during the most challenging, sleepless nights of my life). This combination of therapy and meditation has been life-altering, and in hindsight I recognize just how helpful it would have been to have come to both of them earlier in my life. In taking stock of
Reliable or not, Headspace is an app. After five years with it, I recognize that I don't need it, so to speak, no matter how comfortable I've become with Andy Puddicombe's voice. I've watched it become more successful over these years, which is wonderful, but it's moving in a direction that doesn't feel like where I need to go. As it broadens its relevance to an audience of people who are new to and uncomfortable with mindfulness, I find myself wondering what's available out there in the real world for in-person expansion of these foundational, introductory skills I've gleaned.
And there's the question: do you have recommendations on in-person meditation classes, ideally available in (west) London? I'm interested in everything—religious or agnostic, basic or complex, recurring courses or one-off seminars, therapy-informed or personal, group or individual, etc. I don't need help googling options, and I see plenty of them. If you've experienced any of these, or if you have found this sort of next step in your meditation practice elsewhere and have something to recommend, I'm all ears.
Many kind thanks!
2018-2019 was a genuine time of personal crisis, and I fell apart. That upheaval led me to therapy for the first time in my life, and it also led me to meditation. Since then, I've used the Headspace app to build a reliable, small meditation routine. (Shout out to whomever narrated the Midnight Launderette sleepcast—you talked me to sleep countless times during the most challenging, sleepless nights of my life). This combination of therapy and meditation has been life-altering, and in hindsight I recognize just how helpful it would have been to have come to both of them earlier in my life. In taking stock of
Reliable or not, Headspace is an app. After five years with it, I recognize that I don't need it, so to speak, no matter how comfortable I've become with Andy Puddicombe's voice. I've watched it become more successful over these years, which is wonderful, but it's moving in a direction that doesn't feel like where I need to go. As it broadens its relevance to an audience of people who are new to and uncomfortable with mindfulness, I find myself wondering what's available out there in the real world for in-person expansion of these foundational, introductory skills I've gleaned.
And there's the question: do you have recommendations on in-person meditation classes, ideally available in (west) London? I'm interested in everything—religious or agnostic, basic or complex, recurring courses or one-off seminars, therapy-informed or personal, group or individual, etc. I don't need help googling options, and I see plenty of them. If you've experienced any of these, or if you have found this sort of next step in your meditation practice elsewhere and have something to recommend, I'm all ears.
Many kind thanks!
I can't answer your question, but I believe the Midnight Launderette voice artist is actor Darren Pettie.
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 3:14 AM on January 4
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 3:14 AM on January 4
It's not West London, but if you have the chance to go on a retreat, you could check out Samye Ling, (pronounced Sammy Ling) which is a Buddhist temple in SW Scotland.
They do a lot of weekend courses on a variety of topics, including secular mindfulness - I think some are courses that are four weekends spread over a year so you can spend time together, then go away and practice, then come back together etc.
It's probably a decade since I did their Introduction to Mindfulness* weekend (after having already practiced on my own for quite some time). At the time they were in the middle of an expansion of their student accommodation, so it might be much bigger now and not quite as I remember, but I found it a really positive experience. Getting out into remote countryside for a retreat with others is really special; there's a whacking great Buddhist temple right in the middle of nowhere, which is beautiful. It's a religious community, so there are monks/nuns and regular worship in the temple which you can sit in on as an observer if you're interested, but they also have a large number of secular courses so it's not particularly proselytising.
*Actually, I did it twice! I remember now - it was 2010, when there were BIG snows in Scotland and Torey Hayden who was due to teach couldn't get her car out of her driveway to get there. So we were taught by one of the nuns instead. Only a handful of people could make it through the snow, so it was a particularly small group! I went back again the next year and did it again with Torey, which was good, but also much busier :)
posted by penguin pie at 3:48 AM on January 4
They do a lot of weekend courses on a variety of topics, including secular mindfulness - I think some are courses that are four weekends spread over a year so you can spend time together, then go away and practice, then come back together etc.
It's probably a decade since I did their Introduction to Mindfulness* weekend (after having already practiced on my own for quite some time). At the time they were in the middle of an expansion of their student accommodation, so it might be much bigger now and not quite as I remember, but I found it a really positive experience. Getting out into remote countryside for a retreat with others is really special; there's a whacking great Buddhist temple right in the middle of nowhere, which is beautiful. It's a religious community, so there are monks/nuns and regular worship in the temple which you can sit in on as an observer if you're interested, but they also have a large number of secular courses so it's not particularly proselytising.
*Actually, I did it twice! I remember now - it was 2010, when there were BIG snows in Scotland and Torey Hayden who was due to teach couldn't get her car out of her driveway to get there. So we were taught by one of the nuns instead. Only a handful of people could make it through the snow, so it was a particularly small group! I went back again the next year and did it again with Torey, which was good, but also much busier :)
posted by penguin pie at 3:48 AM on January 4
Lama Rod Owens has some upcoming UK events that may be of interest: https://www.lamarod.com/events
posted by wicked_sassy at 5:18 AM on January 4
posted by wicked_sassy at 5:18 AM on January 4
There are lots of types of meditation. What are you called to explore? More presence/mindfulness, explore the nature of mind itself, increase love, compassion and emotional capacity… knowing what you want to get out of it may also help.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:18 AM on January 4
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:18 AM on January 4
Can personally recommend the West London Buddhist Centre - have visited a couple of times and I have been practicing with the same community (Triratna) here in the states for about 12 years.
The two most central meditation formats taught in classes there will be Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving Kindness. They have a mix of regular community meetings, classes for beginners, and opportunities for deeper study.
I find meditating with others so helpful in supporting my personal practice. All I will say is maybe try a few different contexts to get a feel for what you might like best!
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 8:56 AM on January 4
The two most central meditation formats taught in classes there will be Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving Kindness. They have a mix of regular community meetings, classes for beginners, and opportunities for deeper study.
I find meditating with others so helpful in supporting my personal practice. All I will say is maybe try a few different contexts to get a feel for what you might like best!
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 8:56 AM on January 4
I also found Triratna very helpful years ago, but would not want to associate with them at all now that significant sexual abuse/coercive control issues have been brought to light high up its hierarchy. Useful Google results for me, yours may be different due to the algorithm.
Fantastic that you’re thinking about moving ahead in this way though, and absolutely all the best to you, including luck finding the right place(s).
posted by lokta at 1:02 PM on January 4
Fantastic that you’re thinking about moving ahead in this way though, and absolutely all the best to you, including luck finding the right place(s).
posted by lokta at 1:02 PM on January 4
Response by poster: What are you called to explore?
I appreciate the question, St. Peepsburg. The honest answer is that I feel called to experience every type of practice that's available to me. I haven't yet found any component of meditation that doesn't seem relevant. Outside of Headspace I've read books by and followed guided meditations from Jack Kornfield, and found them useful. I don't feel particularly drawn to the formal religious aspects of Buddhist meditation, but I'm open to it. I've done mindfulness-centered meditations as part of self-guided ACT therapy practices, too, and that (like some of what Headspace offers) feels very clearly drawn from Buddhist traditions but with secular language and context. It's all fascinating in that it makes me understand how little I know about my own mind and my "emotional weather." This is why recommendations feel so helpful, I appreciate when people let me know what it is that they have found valuable!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 1:47 AM on January 5
I appreciate the question, St. Peepsburg. The honest answer is that I feel called to experience every type of practice that's available to me. I haven't yet found any component of meditation that doesn't seem relevant. Outside of Headspace I've read books by and followed guided meditations from Jack Kornfield, and found them useful. I don't feel particularly drawn to the formal religious aspects of Buddhist meditation, but I'm open to it. I've done mindfulness-centered meditations as part of self-guided ACT therapy practices, too, and that (like some of what Headspace offers) feels very clearly drawn from Buddhist traditions but with secular language and context. It's all fascinating in that it makes me understand how little I know about my own mind and my "emotional weather." This is why recommendations feel so helpful, I appreciate when people let me know what it is that they have found valuable!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 1:47 AM on January 5
I also found Triratna very helpful years ago...
I don't want to derail this thread, but I will just speak to my experience. (1) the history of the movement, which does involve sexual abuse, is very openly and intentionally discussed, particularly with anyone interested in making a deeper commitment. You can find information not just in a Google search, but on official websites. (2) A formal process and safeguarding measures have been developed in recent years. This is something those "high up" now take very seriously. Likewise, there is encouraging movement around in gender inclusivity, racial awareness, and supporting neurodivergent folks. (3) In 12 years of practicing with the community, visiting centers and groups all over the world (including USA, UK, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan), and going on retreats, I have never experienced behavior of this kind from any teachers. Nor has anyone covered it up or condoned it when asked about the history. I have personally seen teachers handle complaints about others very well on a couple of occasions.
Anyone else who is part of a large Buddhist community will probably be familiar with a lot of the above - there have been big reckonings in many of them recently. Things do change, culture changes and people change, and what I have looked for and found in Triratna is an admission of past wrongs, with clear plans to prevent future harm.
With all that said, I wholeheartedly support anyone who chooses not to engage for the above reasons or any others. You have to find the context that's best for you!
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 12:23 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
I don't want to derail this thread, but I will just speak to my experience. (1) the history of the movement, which does involve sexual abuse, is very openly and intentionally discussed, particularly with anyone interested in making a deeper commitment. You can find information not just in a Google search, but on official websites. (2) A formal process and safeguarding measures have been developed in recent years. This is something those "high up" now take very seriously. Likewise, there is encouraging movement around in gender inclusivity, racial awareness, and supporting neurodivergent folks. (3) In 12 years of practicing with the community, visiting centers and groups all over the world (including USA, UK, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan), and going on retreats, I have never experienced behavior of this kind from any teachers. Nor has anyone covered it up or condoned it when asked about the history. I have personally seen teachers handle complaints about others very well on a couple of occasions.
Anyone else who is part of a large Buddhist community will probably be familiar with a lot of the above - there have been big reckonings in many of them recently. Things do change, culture changes and people change, and what I have looked for and found in Triratna is an admission of past wrongs, with clear plans to prevent future harm.
With all that said, I wholeheartedly support anyone who chooses not to engage for the above reasons or any others. You have to find the context that's best for you!
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 12:23 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
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posted by BobTheScientist at 2:40 AM on January 4