What is happiness and how can we find a reliable source of happiness? We tend to believe that we need things such as success, praise, status, looks, material possessions and so forth to be happy. Although we can definitely enjoy all of these, they cannot provide us with the pure lasting happiness we seek.

Buddha explains that the source of happiness is inner peace, and there are simple attitudes that bring inner peace, and we can all learn to cultivate these. On this course we will explore meditations and ways of thinking that uplift the mind. By carrying these with mindfulness into our day, we can maintain a light, joyful attitude whatever life throws our way.

Classes resume in February 2024.

Every day we work hard to find happiness but our experience of it is fleeting and unreliable. It seems as if our mind is like a balloon in the wind—blown here and there changing external circumstances. As a result we may feel lost and wonder if stable lasting happiness is even possible.

In this free introductory talk, Resident Teacher Kelsang Lachpa will explain how we can use Buddhist wisdom and meditation as a reliable guide that will take us along a path to an experience of happiness that cannot be disturbed by other people and situations. A mind of joy that is as stable as a mountain and as calm as the depths of the ocean.

We all have within us the potential for deep inner peace and happiness, but do we believe this in our heart? How often do we connect to that potential and relate to ourself as someone who can develop limitless good qualities? If we check we will probably discover that we often feel stuck in the way we are, and as a result hinder our ability to achieve inner transformation.

In this series, we will learn how Buddhist teachings and the practice of meditation can not only enable us to completely transform our mind and our experience, but also give us the authentic self-confidence to do this.

Our mind has the potential to be our greatest healer. So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. By training in meditation we develop the power to overcome disturbing thoughts and to stay focused on what brings peace of mind. Through this we can discover our own incredible potential to heal and transform mental pain, anxiety, sorrow, physical suffering and sickness.

If we wish to enjoy good relationships it is essential that we learn to distinguish between love and attachment. While love brings only good results and happiness, attachment brings only problems and suffering such as craving, jealousy, dependence and conflict.

During this series we will learn how to distinguish between these minds and free ourselves from attachment while cultivating a pure love for others.

Everyone wants to be happy and content, but despite our best efforts to achieve this we often find ourselves miserable and stressed. In this series we will explore meditations techniques that enable us to recognise unhelpful states of mind as they arise, and we will learn how to let them go with confidence. Discover the peace of mind, freedom and genuine happiness that comes from within, through letting go of worry, stress and frustration.

In this series, learn Buddhist meditation techniques to experience the clear, peaceful nature of our own mind. Discover the scientific methods for enjoying true happiness by developing positive states of mind that help combat common day to day problems.

We all know this experience well: we think about something too much, and instead of making progress towards a solution, we become worried and stressed. We worry about the future or brood over the past, we fret over what others might think of us or agonise over a tough decision.

The good news is that overthinking is simply a mental habit, and like all habits, it can be broken. There are patterns to our thinking; and just as they’ve been learned, they can be unlearned. Whether you’re a chronic overthinker or can’t switch your mind off to go to sleep—Buddha’s teaching on the mind can help.

In this series you will learn how to remain balanced, calm and clear, even in our busy world with all its stress and stimulation.