Newcomers' Weekend
The theme of this weekend will be "Awareness of sensations". We will explore how to use sensation in our daily life as a means of connecting to non-conceptual awareness.
The August London weekend is specifically designated a Newcomers' Weekend. All Sangha events are open to everyone, newcomers and old-timers alike, and at any given event there are likely to be a number of newcomers. Despite this, newcomers often tell us that they appreciate a formal entry point event that is specifically for them, where they they can meet other newcomers and where they can ask basic questions they might otherwise be shy about asking.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Old-timers should not think that this makes it any less a weekend for them! It will be the same as our normal weekends. And of course the teachings, being spirial learning, always speak to all of us, new or old. But there will be some extra features to help newcomers feel at home.
Shenpen will hold a short welcoming session for newcomers, including basic mediation instruction, starting at 10 am on Saturday in the guesthouse at St. Mary's. Newcomers will then join everyone else in the shrineroom for the rest of the day.
There will also be an opportunity for all newcomers to have an interview with Shenpen sometime during the weekend, starting on Friday evening for those people planning on staying overnight at St. Mary's.
So if you are new or newish to the Awakened Heart Sangha, please do consider coming to this weekend. We hope that there will be plenty of newcomers at this weekend to make it worthwhile. And we also hope there will be plenty of old-timers to welcome the newcomers.
For a full description of what London weekend courses are like, click here for:
- the booklet: "An Introduction to Awakened Heart Sangha Events".
- Frequently Asked Questions about events
Practicalities of London weekend courses
All London weekend courses are held at the St. Mary's Convent, Priory Field Drive, Edgware, Middx, HA8 9PZ (a 15-minute walk from Edgware Tube Station).
All weekends are open to everyone, and it is fine to come to one or both days. There is no need to book to attend the courses.
Saturdays are from 10:00am (9:30 registration) to 5:30pm and Sundays are from 9:00am (8:30 registraiton) to 4:30pm.
There is a charge of £15 per day (increased from £10 as of September 2004). Please also bring vegetarian food for a 'bring and share' lunch on both days.
There is limited accommodation at St Mary's Convent for from £5 to £12.50 per night. It is essential to book this accommodation if you want it, by contacting Stephanie Hair (see below for tel no).
There is also dormitory accom-modation available (c 1¼ hr away) at Kagyu Samye Dzong Buddhist Centre for £14 per night. For more info, contact them on 020 7928 5447, [email protected]gro.eymas@nodnol .
For any inquiries about weekend courses please contact Stephanie Hair, tel: 01702 716511, email: [email protected]ku.gro.sha@nodnolnisdnekeew .
Below is a map of how to get to St Mary's Convent. To print just the map, right click on it and choose 'Print picture'.
