Luckily I'm not the sort of person to have lofty ambitions - otherwise I could have ended up cleaning the chandelier in the upstairs shrine room and I really don't have a head for heights! As none of the residents or volunteers at the Centre have mastered the art of levitation yet, some assistance was required, as you can see above. Just remember to bring your own sunglasses when you next visit!
Ten years???!!! For me, it's not just this year that's flown past. Earlier this month marked the 10th anniversary of me moving into the Centre - and in January it will be 25 years since I walked through the gates of the Centre's first London site in Carlisle Lane. It's difficult to find the right words to express my gratitude for everything I've gained from contact with the Centre, not to mention the opportunity to live here all this time. It's a privilege that I certainly don't take for granted and a privilege to be able to give back through doing this newsletter and maintaining the website.
Before wrapping up for Christmas (not to mention the weather of late), I'd just like to say many thanks for your time in reading these missives and to everyone who's visited the Centre and/or supported us in any way. The whole community looks forward to seeing you in 2023.
Best wishes,
David Bates
Newsletter Editor
News in Brief
Winter Closure - the Centre is now closed and will be re-opening on Saturday 7th January.
PLEASE NOTE - we are not accepting bookings for events or courses until January. It would be really helpful if you could refrain from trying to make bookings until the Centre has re-opened. We are introducing a new online booking system which will be integrated into the new website that we hope to be launching in January. In future there will be a £5 admin fee for bookings which will go towards the system's running costs.
Extended opening hours in 2023 - starting in January the Centre will open at 9.30 am on Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 14th January 2023. On Sunday evenings you are also welcome to join us for Chenrezig Puja again at 7.00 pm. Full details of our opening hours, and those of the Tea Room, can be found on the Contact page of the website.
Events coming next year - well that's not so far off now. Let's start with....
Simply Meditation - get together with fellow practitioners for some silent meditation on Sunday 8th January. There are a series of meditation sessions throughout the day and you can attend as many or as few as you like. The full schedule is on the website.
A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path with Lama Zangmo resumes on Thursday 12th January. This is a course that you can drop in for, so if you've missed the teachings so far, don't be deterred from attending now. Click here for full details of the course.
The Online Death Cafe - Thursday, 19th January, 7.30 - 8.30 pm. Please note the online bit!
Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation - with Lama Zangmo
On Saturday 11th March, Lama Zangmo will start a series of monthly teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
This is one of the primary texts of the Kagyu Lineage and is of immense relevance and benefit to all practitioners, regardless of what stage they are at. In addition to providing a step-by-step outline of the path to Buddhahood, the teachings on Buddha nature can provide students with confidence in the path and inspiration to keep moving along the unmistaken path of liberation.
The text consists of 21 chapters, and this is the first module. The second module will start in September after the August summer closure. The course consists of a monthly full day of teaching with time for Q&A and short meditations.
If booking onto this course please commit to attend all the teachings, with the exception of unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.
The dates for this Saturday module are: 11 March; 8 April; 13 May; 10 June; 8 July.