www.dhyanacentre.org
MEDITATION - THE PATH TO JOY
" Meditation is the experience of the limitless nature
of the mind
when it ceases to be dominated by its usual mental chatter "
(Dr.
David Fontana: "Learn to Meditate")
About Us
The Dhyana Centre was founded in London in 1991 for the sole purpose of teaching meditation and encouraging its practice as a spiritual discipline. The Centre, an independent department of the Theosophical Society in England, adopts a non-sectarian and non-religious approach that combines both Eastern and Western contemplative techniques. The emphasis is on introductory courses, open to all-comers without restriction or charge, but the Centre aims to cater for all levels of meditative experience by offering intermediate and advanced groups as well.
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 yoga and 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 the 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 the most powerful and direct access to higher consciousness.
As Sathya Sai Baba explains: "When thoughts emanate from a mind purified by love, they will result in Dharma (Righteousness). When Love becomes part of your experience, thought and action you get Shanti (Peace). When you comprehend Love clearly, Ahimsa (non-violence) will result automatically. So Love is the unseen undercurrent binding all four human values. It can be summarised thus: Love in thought is Truth; Love as feeling is Peace; Love in action is Righteousness and Love with understanding is Non-violence. Love is the common denominator for all these values. It is the form of God, for God is love."
[The Centre's mystical logo, pictured on the left, was designed by Colombian artist Pedro Guzman of Grupo Meditemos, Bogota.]
Regular Activities.
(Please refer to 'Calendar' for specific
dates)
The Centre runs a variety of courses, mainly at the Theosophical Society headquarters in the West End of London (see 'Contact Us' for address or email details).
Introductory courses (Tuesdays)
'Joy of Meditation' introductory courses consist of both initial and continuation levels and are held six times a year at the Theosophical Society.
The initial course consists of 3 two hour sessions on consecutive Tuesday evenings covering the basics of Bhakti-Dhyana meditation. Techniques taught include the systematic use of breathing, chakras, devotional visualisation and mantra. These courses are aimed at absolute beginners and do not require any prior preparation or experience, nor is advance booking required.
For students who wish to practise and develop the basic skills, this initial course is then followed by a continuation course which lasts either 4 or 5 weeks (until the start of the next initial course).
Newcomers may join the Tuesday group at any time but the ideal is to come along on the first week of an initial course or after attending a weekend intensive, see below. [If unsure about when to attend, please email the Centre for guidance].
See Calendar page for specific dates of initial courses. 
Intermediate Group (Fridays)
Following on from the introductory course is the Ramakrishna
Group, named after the famous Indian saint
who was the living embodiment of 
religious
harmony (as in this photograph, pictured left: a contemporary of Sri
Ramakrishna was Lahiri
Mahasaya,
the archetypal householder yogi, pictured right. These two great souls
are the principal inspirations behind the Dhyana
Centre). This group is not open to the public without prior invitation: newcomers
with yogic experience are still very welcome but must contact the group
leader first, in person or by email.
Those graduating from the introductory course are automatically invited
to join. The Ramakrishna Group meets on Friday 6.45pm - 9.30pm (literally 52 weeks of the year) and places greater emphasis on practice and group sharing
as opposed to formal tuition. The session also includes an Open Forum discussion
period covering a broad spectrum of spiritual and yogic topics.
Advanced Group (every Monday & occasional Wednesday evenings):
A more advanced group meets once or twice a week, based in south London. This Lahiri Group is private and open only by invitation to experienced members of the Ramakrishna Group.
Weekend intensives for beginners (Saturday or Sunday, twice each term):
The Centre runs regular weekend workshops designed to introduce the basics of Bhakti-Dhyana meditation. These are intensive practical sessions aimed at absolute beginners but are also good revision opportunities for more experienced meditators. These sessions are designed to dovetail with the weekday beginners' courses and they cover the same ground in a truncated form.
Retreats (Saturday or Sunday, once every two months):
One day silent retreats are held on a regular basis in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of the Kairos Centre in Roehampton, London SW.15.
OM healing group (advertised Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays):
OM healing takes place several times each month at the Theosophical Society. The sessions start promptly at the advertised time and there is no late admittance. On Tuesdays and Fridays the healing session, which lasts about 75 minutes, follows on from the regular silent meditation whilst on Saturdays the healing is first and is followed by a 40 minute meditation for those who want to stay on. Non-DC members and those seeking any sort of healing are welcome to attend this group but first-time attendees may like to email Alan Perry in advance. See Calendar page for specific dates.
For further information on OM Healing, click here.