Practical meditation and mindfulness techniques for health, well-being and happiness
Classes and retreats taught in Cheltenham and online
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.
You can also find guided meditations in the Audio section, and weekly articles in the Writings section (now with an index to help you find what you're interested in).
If you'd like to attend a weekly meditation class, I teach in person in Cheltenham, UK (hence the name of the site!), and online via Zoom - you can find the details on the Teaching page.
I also run retreats throughout the year. Again, 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.
You can also find guided meditations in the Audio section, and weekly articles in the Writings section (now with an index to help you find what you're interested in).
If you'd like to attend a weekly meditation class, I teach in person in Cheltenham, UK (hence the name of the site!), and online via Zoom - you can find the details on the Teaching page.
I also run retreats throughout the year. Again, 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 over a decade now. I have benefitted profoundly in my own life from these practices, and believe passionately in sharing them with others for the benefit of all.
My teacher in the early Buddhist tradition is Leigh Brasington; Leigh authorised me to teach the jhanas in the lineage of Ayya Khema in 2022. My teacher in the Rinzai Zen lineage is Daizan Roshi, with whom I have completed a 200 hour Zen meditation and mindfulness teacher training (a course which is accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association), authorising me to teach meditation both for personal well-being and also for the development of the insight into our true nature which leads to awakening, called kensho or satori in Zen. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch via cheltenhamzen@gmail.com, or find me on Facebook at fb.me/CheltenhamZen. Thank you! |