Drop-in evening

Tuesdays 7:15pm – 9:15pm

Join us for our weekly evening class in person at the Quaker Meeting House.

The class includes guided meditation, a tea break, and a talk and/or discussion on Buddhism.

We will generally be following a series that you can join at any point. But come along as often as you can for maximum benefit!

The class is led by Kusalaraja and Vidyasakhi, with occasional guest speakers. They are experienced Buddhists and meditation practitioners, and members of the Triratna Buddhist Order.

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Programme

In progress

3 February 2026 — 10 March: Choosing How We Live: Not About Being Good — A six-week teaching series on ethics, meditation, and becoming more fully ourselves

**No need to book, just drop in**

Led by Kusalaraja

Many of us come to meditation or Buddhism because we sense that life has more to offer than simply getting by or running on habit. We want greater clarity, depth, and integrity — and we want what we practise on the cushion to make a real difference in how we live and relate to others.

This six-week teaching series explores the close relationship between ethics and meditation, drawing on Subhadramati’s book Not About Being Good. Rather than approaching ethics as rules or ideals to live up to, we’ll explore it as a practical enquiry into how our actions of body, speech, and mind shape our experience — and who we are becoming.

Meditation and ethics are deeply interconnected. Meditation helps us see ourselves more clearly and honestly; ethical reflection helps that clarity express itself in everyday life, especially in how we are with other people. Each evening includes guided meditation, short talks, and reflection, with an emphasis on learning from experience rather than judging ourselves.

The series is offered as part of our weekly drop-in class, so you’re welcome to attend individual evenings. That said, coming to the whole series allows the themes to unfold over time and makes it easier to notice changes in awareness, choice, and confidence in how you live.

This series is suitable for people new to meditation as well as those with some experience, and is intended to be relevant to life as it’s lived now, in a modern Western context. It’s not about being “good”, but about becoming more fully ourselves — through meditation, ethical reflection, and attention to how we are in the world.

Date	Week	Overview
3 February 2026	Week 1 – Mind, Action, and the Life We’re Living	We begin by exploring how our actions shape our experience and sense of self. Through meditation and reflection, we’ll look at how living on habit differs from living with awareness, and why ethics matters to meditation from the
10 February 2026	Week 2 – From Habit to Choice	This week explores why ethical guidelines can support freedom rather than restrict it. We’ll look at how clearer choices support a steadier mind, and how meditation helps us notice the moment where choice becomes possible.
17 February	Week 3 – What Draws Us Forward	Ethics isn’t only about restraint — it also involves acting on what is positive and life-enhancing. We’ll explore generosity, creativity, and gratitude, and how these uplift the mind and support deeper meditation.
24 February	Week 4 – Learning Without Self-Judgement	How do we reflect on our actions honestly without becoming harsh or self-critical? This week focuses on self-friendliness, ethical sensitivity, and how meditation creates the conditions for real learning and change.
3 March	Week 5 – How We Are for Other People	Our actions and words shape the world around us. This week looks at speech, presence, and responsibility in relationship, and how mindfulness and meditation help us act with greater care and clarity.
10 March	Week 6 – Beyond Rules: Living the Practice	We draw the series together by exploring how ethics and meditation support each other over time. We’ll reflect on what it means to live with integrity and awareness, and how practice can carry us forward beyond the series itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book?

No, just turn up!

Do I need to be a Buddhist?

No. Although the event will be focussed around Buddhist practices, all are welcome. Many aspects of the morning will be familiar to anyone who has an idea of meditation and/mindfulness.