www.dhyanacentre.org
THE JOY OF MEDITATION
Dedicated to the teaching and practice of meditation in London
" 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 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 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 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 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.
[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 groups, based at the Theosophical Society headquarters in the West End of London unless otherwise stated (see 'Contact Us' for address or email details).
PLEASE NOTE that the Dhyana Centre is a private members' group and its meditation sessions (as distinct from OM Healing circles) are open only to Centre members, and guests strictly by invitation. The exceptions to this rule are the introductory workshops held on weekends plus the first two weeks of the Tuesday beginners' courses (see below), which sessions 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.
Introductory course (every Tuesday 7pm)
'Joy of Meditation' introductory courses last 7 weeks and are held six times a year as part of a permanent beginners' group every Tuesday evening. Each session lasts two hours.
The initial three weeks covers the basic theory and mechanics of Bhakti-Dhyana meditation. Techniques taught include the systematic use of breathing, chakras, devotional visualisation and mantra. This initial phase is aimed at absolute beginners and does not require any prior preparation or experience, nor is advance booking required. The remaining four weeks focuses on practising and refining the fundamentals imparted in the initial phase and giving beginners encouragement and support as they increase their personal experience.
Newcomers may only join the Tuesday group during the first two weeks of a course; the ideal is to come along on the first week 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 (every Friday 7pm)
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 7pm - 9.30pm (with a break at 8.15pm to allow those who wish to leave) 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.
Extended meditations: Ramakrishna Group meditations usually last about 45 minutes. A trial programme of 'extended meditations' also exists, currently twice-monthly on Saturdays, to provide an opportunity for longer periods of silent practice for those who would benefit from it (N.B. DC members only, no guests). These meditations last for 75 minutes.
Following the success of this trial period, the 'Extended Meditation' group will become permanent on Saturdays ie. every Saturday with effect from December 2009.
Advanced Group (every Monday 7.30pm):
A more advanced group meets once a week, based in south London. This Lahiri Group is open only by invitation to experienced members of the Ramakrishna Group. Meditations are a straight two hours.
Weekend intensives for beginners (Sundays, twice each term, 11am - 4pm):
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 as the first three weeks of the course, albeit in a slightly truncated form.
Retreats (Saturday, once every two months, 10am - 6pm):
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.
Multi-faith devotional services (Saturday evening, quarterly, 7pm - 9.30pm)
These participatory services are held every three months and involve multi-faith prayers, devotional singing, arati, readings, meditation and absent healing. Open to all members and their guests.
OM Healing group (advertised Fridays and Tuesdays, various times):
OM Healing normally takes place twice each month. The sessions start promptly at the advertised time and there is no late admittance. On both Tuesdays and Fridays the healing session, which lasts about 45 minutes, follows on from the regular silent meditation. Non-DC members and those seeking any sort of healing are welcome to attend this group but first-time attendees may like to email in advance. See Calendar page for specific dates.
For further information on OM Healing, click here.