About meditation

If you are new to meditation this page can help to get you started. Many of our events are also suitable for beginners and include instruction in meditation from experienced teachers.

About meditation

Over the centuries, many different meditation techniques have been developed in different cultures. At London Insight, we practise several approaches drawn from early Buddhism. Although they are firmly rooted in the Buddhist tradition, you do not have to be a Buddhist to practise them. We believe they are appropriate for people of any spiritual background – as well as people who do not consider themselves spiritual at all.

Insight meditation (vipassana)

This is the main practice at most London Insight events. Its techniques are simple, beginning usually with following the breath. However its benefits are rich and multi-faceted.

The aim of insight meditation is “calming the mind, understanding ourselves and freeing the heart…developing a calm and mindful investigation into the nature of experience, leading to wisdom, compassion and the end of suffering” – from the Gaia House website.

Below is a short introductory meditation by Catherine McGee. It is best listened to somewhere quiet, sitting on a chair or cushion. This is a fully-guided meditation suitable for beginners (to download, right click, and then enter “Save Link as…”)

The following meditation on sound by Martine Batchelor is longer and has less guidance.

Books can also be a useful resource as you begin your practice.

Below are a selection of ebooks that are suitable for beginners.

Meditation A Way of Awakening by Ajahn Sucitto

Finding the missing peace by Ajahn Amaro

The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho