The first London DhO meet of the year will be on 22nd January at Vantra in Soho at 12 midday, which for now will be our permanent venue. For now, all meets will be on the third Sunday of the month at this venue. The address of Vantra is at the bottom of the post.

Anyone who has an interest in an open and investigative approach to awakening is very welcome. As such feel free to invite friends from different contemplative/enlightenment traditions and people who are dharma-curious. Lurkers on this site are also encouraged to come along or ask questions in this thread. If anyone would appreciate a gentle introduction to the group, then please PM me. I will be at Vantra early, around 11:45, to facilitate this. Also, if anyone has any accessibility or transport issues, we may be able to help.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Vantra
11-13 Soho Street
London
W1D 3DJ

Tel: 020-7287-6060
Email: vantra.uk@gmail.com

(Opens from midday on Sundays)

Hi Liam,

My name's Jonathan. Just joined! I'm an undergrad music student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I've been trying to look around for the past while for somewhere to go to in London with a practical approach to the stages of meditation and I'm hoping this could be the sort of support group I need! I'm sick of the vagueness of other meditation communities.

Anyway if you could tell me a bit about the group, like what I could expect if I tagged along, how many people/how long they are would be really appreciated!

Happy new year!

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, good to hear from you.

We've had five people come to meets so far, with interest from about half a dozen more.

People have practices in the Mahasi noting, U Ba Khin, Thai Forest Sangha and Actual Freedom traditions, though there is some mixing of methods and a lot of experimentation, seems like.

It's not a formal thing or an intensely serious one; we talk about practice methods, personal experiences, challenges, things that make us enthusiastic, bringing mindfulness into everyday life, that sort of thing.

Meets go on until we get bored, we've pottered around a fair bit of London.

Sounds great! I'd love to come along then if that's ok I'd be really interested to hear from other people also interested in enlightenment.

Jonathan

Hi guys
Sounds good, I'm hoping to be able to make it.
Jonathan, now that's a reference I didn't expect cropping up on the DhO! I did part of my undergrad at Guildhall, transferring from the RCM, and ended up doing the MMus jazz course there, graduating in 2007.
It's a small world...!
Thom

I'll be there. Looking forward to it!

I wish I could be there and finally come out of the Dharma closet!

I would have to drag a 2-year old girl across London though and she doesn't do vegetarian food!

Well done for organising it Liam, I hope it keeps going, eventually I'll be able to make it.

Bring her Dodge! No one will mind. It'll be fun.

Yeah that would be great!

We could construct the Tao of Peppa Pig!

I'll make no promises right now, but if I bring my 4yr old with me, they can play together

Lets check back a week or so before and confirm?

That could work, ok let's see what develops

Hi folks
I see, the meeting is going to the right direction. I just suffer by sinusitis so I am not sure if I will come. I am not Ok because I came from warm India to the cold UK.
We will see if we see each other 22nd.
The Meditator

Hi Thom, wow that's really cool! What do you play?

Jonathan

Good stuff.

I expect to show up. And Vantra serves really good matcha!

Hi Liam,

We had some correspondence a while back about these meet ups and I'm pleased to say I'll be able to make this one! Look forward to meeting you and others then.

Best,
Andy

What an encouraging response!

The Meditator, hope you feel better soon and can join us, I'm looking forward to your India and Cittaviveka stories.

Thanks Liam. India was a meditation "just to be" at nice beaches and I meditated in Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai. Cittaviveka was a surprise because it was during Christmas and they had a special schedule. I did meditation mostly by myself. Evening meditation was a disaster because I have a jet lag.

I will be there also! Perfect timing, since I will only be in London for 5 days. It's my first time there too, so it's sure to be amazing!

A quick reminder that the London meet is this Sunday, the 22nd.

Looking forward to it!

Dodge, are you planning on coming?

Hi Bagpus,

I don't think I'll be able to make it due to a recent family bereavement.

There is an outside chance I'll be able to get away for a few hours, in which case I wont be babysitting, but I doubt it.

Thanks a lot anyway mate, I hope it goes well.

Dodge.

Ah. Sorry to hear that. Next time.

take care,

Dodge, sorry to hear you.

I am not sure if I will come but I will know it on Sunday. It is really stupid but it is so. I am not still ok, I would like to come.

It's been pointed out that there are lots of engineering works and whatnot on London transport this weekend, FYI.

Can't make it anymore! Work got in the way! Have fun without me!

Hi Liam, will be a little late. If you read this after arriving, and subsequently decide to head off on a group wander, please text me...cheers! Will PM you my mobile.

Thanks to everyone who came along. We had the best turnout so far. I personally found it motivating, interesting and fun.

Conversation ranged from reports of peoples' recent retreats, nana diagnosis and the relationship between the Three Trainings to experiences of jhana, the later paths and advice for tough spots, as well as a lot more.

Jonathan, Dodge and Olyver, hope to see you at the next one? We'll be meeting at Vantra every third Sunday of the month at midday from now on.

The Meditator, I hope you're feeling better, you were missed.

Yes, thanks everyone. Fantastic afternoon. Well worth the trip down to London!

Yes, thanks to everyone that showed up. I had a great time!

Special thanks to Liam for organizing

Nice to hear you that you had a good time. The next time I will do maximum to enjoy a time together.

Really sorry to have missed it!

I thought I was going to be able to go, but I had a photoshoot with my trio on Sunday for an upcoming concert that I really couldn't miss. Mid-year exams are coming up and this time is pretty hectic for me, but I hope hope hope I'll be able to come to the next one.

Glad everyone enjoyed it!

If anyone is going to the Sharon Salzberg workshop tomorrow (Sunday 29th) give me a shout..

If you pay I will come

It would have been a waste of your time, and my money!

Pffff....

I am sorry, thanks for your post. It could be worst I could be there and pay by myself.