Community Sessions

These free weekly drop-in sessions are available to those who have already taken the Introduction Session for beginners and newcomers. No need to register again. They are the weekly backbone of NBW’s meditational practice and consist of guided or silent meditation in sitting and walking mindfulness. There will then be an opportunity to meet with your fellow participants for a cup of tea or some further study and discussion of the Dharma practice. You may sit on chairs or cushions.

The session will consist of approximately 50 minute meditation (20 mins sitting, 10 mins walking, 20 mins sitting) followed by tea and a group discussion based on a chosen text (please check the newsletter for the current session’s text). We hope that everyone attending the discussion will have taken the time to read through the passage in advance and come prepared, but everyone is welcome.

The text is usually taken from the book The Buddha’s Path of Peace by Geoffrey Hunt and is available from:-

  • Equinox : From the publisher use code BUDDHISM or EXQ for 25% discount, delivery is charged
  • World Of Books : Ethical consumer’s best buy (noted Jun 2022)
  • Hive
  • Amazon
  • Copies are available to reference or borrow at the session
Sunday 10am-Noon (* Suspended until further notice)
The Roundhouse (Also known as ‘The Quiet Centre’ and ‘Chaplaincy’), Stag Hill, University of Surrey, Guildford
Click here for directions, parking next to GSA [No 15 on the map], 10 min walk to the centre [No 10 on the map]. Download Routemap here

Sundays 10am-Noon

Sutton Green Village Hall, New Lane, Sutton Green, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7QF
Click here for directions, parking is behind the hall and the No 34 (Guildford-Woking-Camberley) Bus stops right outside

Meditation will start at 10.10 so please arrive promptly at 10:00 so as not to disturb the meditators. The hall provides chairs but if you prefer to sit on the floor we have a small number of meditation cushions but feel free to bring your own. If you are unable to stay for the discussion, we anticipate that meditation will be finished by 11.10.

Wednesdays 7:15pm-9:00pm

Joan Robinson Hall, The Maybury Centre, Woking
Click here for directions, it is quite near Woking Station and parking is at the side of the hall and you must ensure that you enter your vehicle registration on the tablet in Reception.

Meditation will start at 7.30 so please arrive promptly so as not to disturb the meditators. The hall provides chairs but if you prefer to sit on the floor we have a small number of meditation cushions but feel free to bring your own.  


Starting Mindfulness Practice
A free online booklet to get you started with your mindfulness practice
Daily Life Exercises Booklet
A free online booklet containing daily life exercises to accompany the community sessions. Further instructions will be given in the community sessions

Feedback on your experience of following the instructions is welcome at study@newbuddhaway.org


Guidelines

NBW encourages Right Speech and Conduct, that is:

  • speaking in a respectful, kindly and supportive way
  • respecting confidentiality
  • respecting silence as appropriate during meditation and related activities
  • respecting others’ right to be heard*
  • refraining from speaking or acting in a discriminatory fashion on the basis of for example: gender, race and ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or age
  • behaving in a helpful, kindly and supportive way
  • refraining from behaving in any way which is unnecessarily disruptive or divisive during the meditation session and talks

*Please speak through the chair. If you wish to speak during a discussion session put your hands together (Anjali) and wait for the Chair to indicate that it is your turn.


Chanting

Occasionally at the end of a session NBW participants chant a simple refrain together. The chant words are an English translation of the ancient Metta Sutta. The chant is found below, both on audio file and in text. The marks above or bellow certain characters indicate whether one goes up or down in tone. If you have questions about this contact us at study@newbuddhaway.org

Audio file – The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness
Text – The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness

Bell

The Sound of the Meditation Bell