Practical meditation and mindfulness techniques for health, well-being and happiness
Welcome! This website is a resource for anyone interested in learning to meditate, whether you're completely new or already have some experience in one or more traditions.
If you've never meditated before, take a look at the Beginners section, which sets out some of the most popular types of meditation, and offers a free 6-week self-paced course so that you can start practising right away.
If you're interested in modern mindfulness, as a simple, straightforward wellbeing practice with no 'spiritual' language or affiliation to a religious tradition, head over to the Mindfulness section, where you'll find a free hour-long video course and a variety of suggested practices for developing a more mindful life.
If you'd like to explore the teachings of the historical Buddha, the Early Buddhism section describes the traditional framework of ethics, meditation and wisdom that is recorded in the Pali canon, with a particular focus on jhana practice, insight meditation and the Brahmaviharas.
If you're drawn to the Zen tradition, the Zen section discusses awakening through seeing your true nature - kensho - and presents the iconic Zen meditation practices of Silent Illumination ('just sitting', aka shikantaza) and koan study, along with energetic practices found in the Japanese Rinzai Zen lineage. I also have a free book on Zen practice, Resting in the Unborn.
You can also find guided meditations in the Audio section, articles and practice guides in the Writings section (with an index to help you find what you're interested in), and free books in the Books section.
I run retreats and other events throughout the year. You can find the calendar of upcoming events on the Teaching page.
Please enjoy your time here, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
If you've never meditated before, take a look at the Beginners section, which sets out some of the most popular types of meditation, and offers a free 6-week self-paced course so that you can start practising right away.
If you're interested in modern mindfulness, as a simple, straightforward wellbeing practice with no 'spiritual' language or affiliation to a religious tradition, head over to the Mindfulness section, where you'll find a free hour-long video course and a variety of suggested practices for developing a more mindful life.
If you'd like to explore the teachings of the historical Buddha, the Early Buddhism section describes the traditional framework of ethics, meditation and wisdom that is recorded in the Pali canon, with a particular focus on jhana practice, insight meditation and the Brahmaviharas.
If you're drawn to the Zen tradition, the Zen section discusses awakening through seeing your true nature - kensho - and presents the iconic Zen meditation practices of Silent Illumination ('just sitting', aka shikantaza) and koan study, along with energetic practices found in the Japanese Rinzai Zen lineage. I also have a free book on Zen practice, Resting in the Unborn.
You can also find guided meditations in the Audio section, articles and practice guides in the Writings section (with an index to help you find what you're interested in), and free books in the Books section.
I run retreats and other events throughout the year. You can find the calendar of upcoming events on the Teaching page.
Please enjoy your time here, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
About me
My Zenways teacher training group, led by Zenways teacher Mark Westmoquette
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My name is Matt, and I've been practising meditation and mindfulness for almost twenty years now. I qualified as a Zen meditation and mindfulness teacher in 2018, and was authorised to teach Buddhist retreats in the lineage of the Venerable Ayya Khema in 2022. I'm the author of several fine books, and an excessive number of articles, all of which you can find on this site. My teaching is offered freely; donations are always gratefully accepted. Please give within your means.
My primary teachers are Leigh Brasington, senior student of the Venerable Ayya Khema, and Daizan Roshi, founder of Zenways, a Rinzai Zen sangha in the lineage of Gyokuryuji. I treasure my time with both teachers, and sit retreats with them whenever I'm able. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch via [email protected], or find me on Facebook at fb.me/CheltenhamZen. Thank you! |