Women's Day

The Buddha emphasised the importance of being mindful of the body. In the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, also known as the ‘Foundations of Mindfulness’, we are told:

“Monks, this is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of pain and grief, for the attainment of the true way, for the realization of Nivana…a monk abides contemplating the body as a body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world.”

Is it explained that:

“…when walking, a monk understands: ‘I am walking’; when standing, he understands: ‘I am standing’; when sitting,] he understands: ‘I am sitting’; when lying down, he understands: ‘I am lying down’; or he understands accordingly however his body is disposed…In this way he abides contemplating the body…not clinging to anything in the world. That too is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body”

But in our everyday lives it can be easy to forget about the body and become too caught up in the mind forgetting the important the role that the body plays in our experience. We wouldn’t be here without it! And when we do pay attention to our bodies it is often because of frustration from the limitations of injury, illness or aging. Even when we engage in Buddhist practice the body can be trailing along behind as an afterthought. What happens when we become aware of the body during meditation, chanting and ritual as well as in our day to day activities? How can this help us develop wisdom and compassion?

Over the day we will engage in a range of practices including meditation, reflection, chanting and ritual. We will explore practice in ways that emphasise embodied experience, helping you to feel more connected and fully present. 

Please sign up using the link below to join us

Suitable for all levels of experience

Please bring vegan/vegetarian lunch to share