The Eight Worldly Winds

Do you feel blown about by events in the world? The winds seem relentless, on the political and societal levels. Also inside we might be thrown about, experiencing the turbulence of hopes and fears. Hoping to do well in life, we might suffer set-backs; hoping for good health, we might have an accident - even hopes for good weather can get disappointed!

We get thrown about, can find it hard to find stable ground. Is there anywhere that offers shelter? The basic problem is our experience of separation from what is happening around us.

James Low helps us in this. He says  

‘What is fundamentally important is to stay connected in the world, because we have only these three things: openness, the field of our experience; and how we integrate into it. That is all we have.'

In this course we will look at the Buddhist teaching on the eight worldly winds, or worldy concerns: hope for pleasure and fear of pain; hope for gain and fear of loss; hope for praise and fear of blame; hope for good reputation and fear of bad reputation.

This course will offer the opportunity to move, dance, improvise, talk and meditate in a community of fellow practitioners. It will be in the spirit of curiosity and self-enquiry. As we did for the final months of the last few years, we can join together in community, to support each other in discovering and sustaining a new way of becoming fresh, based on the experience of a deep and vital interconnection with each other, and with what is around us.

From Early October to the middle of December, we will meet as a group every two weeks on Thursday, 6:30 - 8:30 UK time, and additionally have a one day-retreat (date tbc)You will also receive regular impulses from me via email: something to read or listen to, to enrich your day, or a little task to take for a walk in nature (also possible in the city!). There will be small assignments or images that you can allow to speak to you ... it will be full of surprises! - And there will be the opportunity for weekly meetings with a partner in the course, and, if you wish, at times, 1-to-1 with me. 

This course is open to all, and does not need previous experience in movement or meditation. It is designed to support your practice, whatever context you might live in, and as you find most useful as an opportunity to carry your practice with you into your everyday life and work.

The fee is on a sliding scale of between £120 - 240. If you are able to contribute more, you will help someone else take part, who is unable to do so. Please contact me, if it is not possible for you to give that, and we will try to work it out.

Details for registration and further information will be coming soon. To let me know you are interested, or to find out more, please write to me here - I will be in touch.

I look forward to exploring more in your company!

Image: Trees with strong winds by Fity Club. Used with thanks.