PROGRAMME
There are no fees for anything at NBW, no membership, and all instructors and facilitators are unpaid volunteers. Here is a summary of our current activities. The emphasis is on practice. If you are a newcomer we only ask that you respect our community and follow our programme, whatever your past experience.
1 The Dhamma Course: A 13-week course held in central London. See 'London Course' on this website for dates and other details. Designed for those who are new to meditation, and those who have meditated before but would benefit from orientation in the distinctive NBW approach. Usually held at a venue near Leicester Square, London every Wednesday evening for 13 weeks, in a repeating cycle.
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2 Guided Session: For those who have completed The 13-week Dhamma course. At two venues 1) The Spike Community Centre. Guildford every Sunday 10am-12 noon. 2) At the London venue on Wednesday evenings. It is primarily designed for those who have taken The Dhamma Course,and are on a steep learning curve in doing and understanding the practice. Verbal guidance is given. One hour meditation is followed by tea, and then a talk and discussion pursuing the 'Eightfold Path' (in a 16-week cycle). NBW has its own book series for guidance, available from www.amazon.co.uk with the search term 'New Buddha Way'.
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3 Silent Session: Every Sunday 10am -11am, also at The Spike community Centre, Guildford, designed for those who have taken the Beginners' Class, have taken the full 16-week cycle of instruction and discussion on the Noble Eightfold Path, and are able to sit for at least 45 minutes unbroken. No verbal guidance is given. These participants have a cycle of talks and discussion on 'The Middle Way'. (It is not recommended to attend this cycle without first having completed the Noble 8-fold Path cycle.)
Workshops & Retreats: In addition to the three-layered programme there are occasional one-day workshops on a special theme and silent weekend retreats. Retreats are put on three times a year. These are designed for those who wish to begin intensifying their practice. Most suitable for those who have at least completed the 16-week cycle in the Guided Session, but open to anyone. On the weekend retreat the maximum sitting meditation period is 60 minutes unbroken, and it takes place at a retreat centre in Woking, Guildford, East Molesey or elsewhere.