Please note that we have no meeting on Saturday 6 April.

There is an event with visiting Plum Village monastics at the Crypt on the Green, Farringdon, instead. It would be lovely if you could join us for that - Information is here.


We have two opportunities for gathering in-person every week:

  • Saturday mornings 10.30 - 12.30
  • Wednesday evenings 7 - 9 (singing from 6.45)

8 Hop Gardens, London WC2N 4EH

Hop Gardens is the alley next to Gym Box in Saint Martins Lane, Covent Garden.

Ring the bell for the Fry Room Wednesdays, or the Meeting Room on Saturdays, and we will come and let you in. Please aim to arrive around 15 minutes early. The buzzer is off once we have started. If you are delayed, we check the door for latecomers around 11am on Saturdays and 7.30pm on Wednesdays.

Our Wednesday group is run jointly by Wake Up Sangha for under-35s, and Heart of London Sangha

Arriving

If new to the practice simply come and enjoy the calm mindful space and follow along as you can.

Mats and meditation cushions are provided or you can sit on a chair, whichever suits you best.

Other groups meet online on Saturdays and Thursdays. Info is on our Online Sangha page.

Some Practicalities

Typically the half of the session consists of guided, walking and silent meditations of 15-25 minutes each. The second part is often a short reading followed by time for Sharing From The Heart.

Other activities can include taichi-type mindful movement, deep relaxation, or simple rituals such as Touching the Earth. We will lead you through these.

  • Please remain quietly seated throughout, except where it's obvious to do otherwise.
  • There's a fair amount of bowing in Zen! This simply means 'Thank You'. Please join in with this - if you wish.
  • If needing a toilet break, during walking meditation can be a good time. At other times please enter and leave quietly and between activities where possible.
  • There is space for coats and shoes outside the room, but please take valuables in with you as other groups sometimes use the building.

At the end there is plenty of time to chat – plus for any questions you may have.

Lunch

We have lunch together on Saturdays after the session, plus on the first Saturday of every month we eat as a mindful lunch with the first part of the meal being a silent meditation. It would be lovely if you are able to stay for any of these.

Singing

The Wednesday Sangha usually starts and ends with singing — please feel free to join in with this or not, according to your wishes!

Singing is led by Monica Max West - whose music can also be found on the Plum Village App - with the main part being from 6.45 - 7pm at the beginning of the session. There is also a choir that you can find information about if you attend.

Cost

Our meetings are free to attend, however a donation of £10 towards room hire would be appreciated if you can afford this. We have a card reader or you can donate cash. It is also possible to donate online via our donations page.

Thich Nhat Hanh eyes closed mudra

How to sit

Sit with the back naturally erect and all muscles relaxed. If you find sitting or kneeling on a cushion uncomfortable, it is fine to sit on a chair.

If on a cushion, ensure you have both knees on the floor (or on a cushion if you find this difficult), as most of us need support from three points of contact, like a tripod, to remain comfortable and stable during meditation.

Add or remove cushions to find a comfortable height. Too low causes slouching forward, too high arching back. If in doubt slightly too high is preferable.

We aim for a posture where we can happily remain still for twenty to thirty minutes. Stillness is the key to sitting meditation as this allows the mind to attain a calm clear state.

While aiming for stillness however, please move if experiencing any pain to avoid harming the body. It often takes experimentation to find what posture works best for each of us.

Guided meditation

Guided meditation exercises can help us develop our understanding and go deeper. Each exercise uses the vehicle of conscious breathing to carry images which evoke various responses within us.

As we listen to the sound of the facilitator's voice we follow our breathing. We do not need to think about or analyse the words of the meditation, rather we let them fall into our consciousness, like a pebble falling into a deep, still pool.

Walking meditation

When we practice walking meditation we coordinate our steps with our breath. We are aware especially of the contact of our feet with the ground, and the wondrous nature of the present moment.

Upon hearing the bell to start we take an in-breath and make the first step with the left foot. On the out-breath we take another step with the right foot. Then we begin the cycle again.

Silent meditation

As soon as we sit down we begin mindful breathing by paying attention to our breath. We gently follow each in-breath and each out-breath with our awareness. We do not aim to control our breathing but rather allow it to deepen as we relax with the practice.

When distracted by thoughts, feelings or physical sensations, we let these go without dwelling on them, returning to our breathing.

Reading

We listen to a short reading together. This will typically be a chapter from a book, or sometimes a pre-recorded talk. When reading from a book, we pass it from person to person with those wishing to do so reading a paragraph each before passing it on.

Sharing From The Heart

We practise deep listening, with the full attention, without making judgements. We do not reply to each other. By sharing from the heart out, we contribute to the collective insight and understanding of the sangha.

We base our sharing on our own experience of the practice rather than abstract ideas and theoretical topics. We may realise that many of us share similar difficulties and aspirations.

Anything shared is confidential. Even if we wish to discuss someone's sharing with them later, we would first check with them that they wish to revisit it.

It is a good practice to own what one is about to say, to hold one's own suffering, and to look deeply to see if it's the right moment to share specific things because of the impact one's words may have on others.