THE JOY OF MEDITATION
" Meditation is the experience
of the limitless nature of the mind
when it ceases to be dominated by its usual mental chatter "
('Learn to Meditate', Dr. David Fontana)
About
Us
The Dhyana Centre was founded in London in 1991 for the principal purpose of teaching meditation and encouraging its practice as a spiritual discipline. The Centre, an independent branch of the Theosophical Society in England, adopts an eclectic and non-sectarian approach that combines both Eastern and Western contemplative techniques. The emphasis is on introductory courses, open to all-comers without restriction or financial charge, but the Centre aims to cater for all levels of meditative experience by offering various different groups.
Head
and Heart
The Centre's motto is "Live to Learn to Love", which clearly expresses life's greatest lesson and the route that we must all take to reach our Divine goal. Whatever spiritual path or means we may choose to employ, it is only by and in love that human potential can manifest its highest expression. At its deepest level, meditation is the ultimate act of love - a total surrender of the individual self.
The Dhyana Centre teaches a system of 'Bhakti-Dhyana' meditation that seeks to integrate classical yogic contemplation with inner devotional techniques. The system works on the basis that love and concentration are simply two sides of one coin: what you love you will naturally focus your mind upon, conversely whatever you focus your mind upon you will develop love for as you start to transcend awareness of duality and to sense the underlying Unity. Devotion enhances meditation and meditation enhances devotion; the two are just differing aspects of one integrated spiritual discipline and they work together to produce a powerful and direct access to higher consciousness.
Centre
Activities
The Centre's teaching activities are grouped into three distinct levels:
- Beginners: "Joy of Meditation" course (Tuesdays and occasional Sundays)
- Intermediate: Ramakrishna Group (Fridays and Saturdays)
- Advanced: Lahiri Group (Mondays and alternate Thursdays).
In addition, there are meditation retreats, OM Healing circles and multi-faith devotional services. All these activities take place at the Theosophical Society's headquarters in the West End of London unless otherwise stated (see Contact Us for address or email details). On the Groups page are listed explanations of the differing sessions and you can also click here to view this information in a simple chart format. Please refer to the Calendar page for specific dates.
Newcomers are asked to note that the Dhyana Centre is a private members' group and its meditation sessions are open only to those registered with the Centre, plus guests strictly by invitation. The exceptions to this rule are the introductory workshops held on Sundays plus the first week of the Tuesday beginners' courses, which are fully public and open to all. Newcomers are warmly invited to attend but must come to a public session (ie. a 'start point') in the first instance unless a prior dispensation has been given. Please email the Centre if in doubt.
Free of charge: as a matter of policy, all Dhyana Centre activities are offered free as a public service. The Centre relies on voluntary donations to cover its costs such as room hire and those attending are invited to assist the Centre's work by contributing according to their means.
For details of Dhyana Centre groups, please click here
Emailing list for enquirers
The Centre has a emailing list which sends out regular circulars to subscribers. If you would like to be added to this enquirers' mailing list, please send an email to that effect to enquirers@dhyanacentre.org. Once registered, you will receive emails for three months after which you will automatically be removed from the list unless you have requested otherwise.
[The Centre's mystical logo, pictured above in the left column, was designed by Colombian artist Pedro Guzmán of Grupo Meditemos, Bogotá.]
