FRIDAY EVENING MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
From Friday 30th October 2009 we will begin a new format of practice at the Vihara.
Friday evenings will be for the practice of Mindfulness and will apply to all attendees, new and advanced students alike.A new timetable will begin on this evening to encompass new students and facilitate advanced students who wish to develop their understanding and practice of Vipassana.
The Vihara will be open to students from 6.30pm at which time they may have tea or coffee and use to the time to have discussion with each other and make use of the library facility, however at 7pm sharp the practice of Mindfulness will begin with the sounding of three chimes of the Tibetan Bowl and all present must then remain in silence and observe Noble Silence until they leave the Vihara on completion of their meditation either at 7.40pm or 8.15pm.
The practice of Metta and Mindfulness of Breathing and a basic meditation will commence at 7pm and is available to all. Metta practice will end with Blessings at 7.40pm.
Students not staying on to practice Vipassana or continue with a further silent meditation at his/her own level are asked to leave the Vihara at this time whilst continuing to observe The Noble Silence.
Vipassana practice will begin at 7.45pm and is available to advanced students. It is not advisable for beginners to carry out this practice until they have spent some time practicing Metta and Mindfulness of Breathing.
During this 30 minute session beginners may sit in meditation in the Shrine room and practice at their own level of meditation but this will be carried out without instruction and it is stressed that they should not attempt the Vipassana practice.
The Vipassana practice will end at 8.15pm.
ALL students are asked to leave the Vihara by 8.20pm as the Resident Monk will begin his own personal meditation practice at 8.30pm.
Any student wishing to discuss his/her personal meditation and practice should make arrangements to discuss this in person with the resident monk out with the Friday evening sessions.
It is hoped that these changes to Friday practice will allow for new and advanced students to practice and develop their meditation practice to a deeper level and understanding.
