CHELTENHAM ZEN
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Teaching

Throughout the year I run retreats and other events, both online and in person. From time to time I also meet up with people one-on-one, either in person or online - I don't charge for this, but it's subject to availability in my calendar! (I am not currently taking on regular students on a one-to-one basis.)

Below, you can find a calendar of upcoming events, along with more detailed descriptions of those events.

The list of retreats and other events does change from time to time - the best way to keep track of upcoming events is to join my mailing list here! (It's very low traffic, approximately one email every couple of months.)

If you're interested in something that isn't listed below, please do feel free to contact me and we can talk about it.
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Retreats, courses and other upcoming events

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Calendar of upcoming events

13 November 2025: Buddhism through the Ages talk, 7pm-9pm, in person at Friends Meeting House, Cheltenham, as part of Cheltenham Inter-Faith Week 2025

5-15 June 2026: 11-day jhana retreat with Leigh Brasington and Claralynn Nunamaker, online via Zoom (not yet open for booking)

2-4 October 2026 (tentative): Exploring the jhanas with Claralynn Nunamaker, in person at Noddfa, Wales (currently at the planning stage)

11-day jhana retreats

The jhanas are altered states of consciousness which can arise during samadhi practice, leading to sustained experiences of bliss, joy, contentment and equanimity. These states are not only interesting and enjoyable in their own right, but also give rise to a mind which is substantially quieter, clearer and sharper than usual, and thus tend to accelerate and deepen one's insight practice as well.

These retreats offer a complete spiritual path drawn from the early Buddhist tradition. They have a strong focus on the practice of learning and cultivating the jhanas, as taught by my teacher Leigh Brasington, complemented by a range of insight and heart-opening practices.

Since 2022 Leigh and I have offered a yearly online jhana retreat through Gaia House, and we're hoping that will continue. Leigh also offers other retreats (some in the UK timezone, others in U.S. timezones), so check out his retreats page if the dates below don't work for you.

Prerequisites: Jhana retreats are suitable for anyone with an established meditation practice who has attended two or more seven-day silent retreats previously. If you don't meet these prerequisites but would still like to come, please contact me to discuss.

Dates:
  • 5-15 June 2026, online via Zoom, with Leigh Brasington and Claralynn Nunamaker.
    • Booking is essential: Please see the Gaia House website for costs and booking details. (Booking is not yet open but will appear on their timetable once it is.)
  • (Future dates will be announced as they become available - my intention is to run at least one jhana retreat each year.)

Online retreat logistics: International applicants are welcome for online retreats. Talks (typically given at 11am and 8pm UK time) are recorded and made available online. All participants will be required to attend interviews every few days, which will typically take place between 2pm and 6pm UK time.

Exploring the jhanas, a weekend retreat

The jhanas are altered states of consciousness which can arise during samadhi practice, leading to sustained experiences of bliss, joy, contentment and equanimity. These states are not only interesting and enjoyable in their own right, but also give rise to a mind which is substantially quieter, clearer and sharper than usual, and thus tend to accelerate and deepen one's insight practice as well.

This weekend retreat, held at the beautiful Noddfa in north Wales, offers an entry point for people who are curious to know more about the jhanas, both how to practise them and how they fit into the wider context of the spiritual path. Fellow jhana teacher Claralynn Nunamaker and I will give talks, take questions and offer private interviews, with plenty of time for sitting and walking meditation throughout the weekend. We will also be joined via Zoom by our teacher Leigh Brasington for a talk and Q&A session on the Friday evening.

Prerequisites: None.

Dates:
  • Tentative: 2-4 October 2026, in person at Noddfa, north Wales, with Claralynn Nunamaker. Details will be given when the event is confirmed.
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Buddhism through the Ages talk

In this talk we’ll explore the history and practice of Buddhism, starting two and a half thousand years ago with Siddhattha Gotama, the historical Buddha, and then tracing the explosion of Buddhist traditions and lineages that have come along since. 

We’ll look at the foundations of Buddhism – ethics, meditation, wisdom – and see how the traditions offer practical methods for working with each of these. We’ll also see how Buddhism came to be internally divided, between renunciate meditators seeking ever-deeper experiences on one hand, and socially engaged practitioners finding ways to practise in the world on the other. And we’ll consider the idea of Buddhism as a ‘spiritual science’, and how this has shaped and impacted Western Buddhism.

Prerequisites: None.

Dates:
  • Time 7pm-9pm, Thursday 13th November 2025, in person at Friends Meeting House Cheltenham. 
    • Cost: Free.
    • Booking is essential: Please book online here.

  • Home
  • Beginners
  • Mindfulness
    • Introduction
    • Video course
    • Practising mindfulness
  • Early Buddhism
    • Introduction
    • Jhana
    • Insight practice
    • Brahmaviharas
    • In Buddha's Wake
  • Zen
    • Introduction
    • Koans
    • Silent Illumination
    • Resting in the Unborn
    • Energy practices
  • Teaching
  • Articles
    • Index of articles
    • Writings
  • Books
    • Beginners: Pathways of Meditation
    • Zen: Resting in the Unborn
    • Early Buddhism: In Buddha's Wake
  • Audio
  • Mailing list