Category: blog

Hi there,

I hope you’re basking in the sunshine and feeling the gentle energy of spring all around.

We’ve had some really special gatherings over the past few Tuesdays.
Recently, we shared a wonderful film night and watched part of Suryaprabha’s excellent documentary, “An Opening of the Heart,” which tells the inspiring story of our movement’s beginnings. (You can watch the full film at https://lightsinthesky.org )

Now, here’s a little taste of what’s coming up:

🌟 Tuesday Night Programme 🌟
6th May — Keith – Film Night
13th May — Mangala
20th May — Shubhadasa
27th May — Samudraghosha
3rd June — Launch of a brand new 5-week course: The Greater Mandala

Each evening includes meditation with instruction, an inspiring talk, small group discussions, and of course — tea and biscuits to nourish our connections.

✨ The Greater Mandala Course (starting 3rd June)
In our often busy world, The Greater Mandala invites us to pause… and expand our hearts. This gentle and profound course will help us embrace spaciousness, step back from endless striving, and discover a freer, more meaningful way of being.

Through Buddhist wisdom, meditation, and friendly exploration, we’ll gently move beyond “doing” into being — living with presence, connection, and joy.

Whether you’re brand new or a regular, this promises to be an uplifting and transformative journey. No need to book — it’s drop-in, donation-based, and you are welcome to attend as many or as few evenings as you like. Just come along!

🌸 Buddha Day (Wesak) — Cambridge Buddhist Centre — Sunday 18th May, 9:30am–4:00pm
Buddha Day is the biggest festival in the Buddhist calendar — a celebration of the Buddha’s enlightenment and his boundless compassion.

This year’s celebration will be joyful, inclusive, and playful, with activities for all ages. Expect:

Meditation, reflection, and ritual for everyone
Play-based practice and enactments for families and children
A shared vegetarian/vegan lunch
A beautiful Mitra ceremony during the afternoon Puja

Children are warmly welcome. Come and celebrate Buddha’s Awakening as a living, joyful journey. Full details here: https://www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com/BuddhaDay25

🍛 Fundraising meal for Tiratanaloka, Sun 15th June
Tiratanaloka is a retreat centre dedicated to supporting women to deepen their Buddhist practice and join the Triratna Order. They are moving to a much larger property in Ware, and we will be their spiritual neighbours. Please join us to help raise the funds that they still need to make this new retreat centre a reality. Our cooks will be creating a home-made, two-course vegan Gujarati meal. Arrive at 12:30pm for a 12:45pm start, finishing at 2pm. £12.50/ £15 with additional donations welcome. Bring your family members and friends. Places are limited and booking and advance payment by Wednesday 11th June is required by filling in the form at https://hertfordbuddhistgroup.co.uk/meal .
Karunadhi, Chair of Tiratanaloka, is intending to come.

So much to look forward to as the warmer months unfold — meditation, exploration through The Greater Mandala, joyful Buddha Day festivities, and sharing food and friendship to support Tiratanaloka.

Wherever you are in your practice, there’s a place here for you in our sangha.
I look forward to seeing you soon — in stillness, in joy, and in heartfelt connection.

With love and warm wishes,
Keith

Dear friends,

As April gently unfolds her soft green hands, the cherry blossoms begin their fleeting dance—and I find myself reflecting on how our practice, too, follows the same rhythm: quiet, steady, and full of promise. Just as buds become blossoms, we too awaken and open, moment by moment.

Cherry Blossoms at Vajrasana: A Springtime Retreat

We recently shared a beautiful retreat at Vajrasana in Suffolk with our friends from the Bury St. Edmunds Sangha. Thirty-six of us came together as the first whispers of spring stirred the land—cherry blossoms blooming like gentle reminders of impermanence and renewal.

I was co-organising with the ever-wonderful Tejodhi, and supported by a vibrant, loving team. Together, we created something precious: a space of friendship, stillness, depth, and joy. Moments like these remind me why sangha is at the heart of the path.

Craving: Root of Suffering, Gateway to Freedom

Last Tuesday we welcomed the thoughtful and inspiring Kuladipa from Cambridge to launch his new book “Thirsting for More: A Buddhist Approach to Craving.” I had the joy of interviewing him—and together we explored how craving sits at the very core of the Buddha’s teaching.

Where many approaches to wellbeing skim the surface, Buddhism dares to go deep—inviting us to see the fire of craving clearly, to understand its mechanisms, and to gently loosen its grip. Even the old biblical commandment “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife” gestures toward this—but whereas one path says “Don’t!” the other says, “Look. Feel. Understand. Be free.”

When we really begin to observe craving as it arises—without judgement, just with honest awareness—something magical happens. The heart begins to settle. Peace becomes possible.

🌿 Upcoming Opportunities for Practice

🌞 Day Event: “Opening to Freedom and Joy” with Sagaraghosa

Saturday 26th April, 10am–3pm in Ware (can leave early if you need to)
A beautiful chance to explore conditionality—how our experience arises and how we can meet it with wisdom.
🧡 Full details here

🕯️ Tuesday Evening Classes – Millbridge Rooms, Hertford (7.15–9.30pm)

Drop-in friendly, beginner-welcoming, and full of heart:

• 8 Apr – Film night with Keith 🍿
• 15 Apr – Khemananda
• 22 Apr – Keith
• 29 Apr – Samudraghosha
• 6 May – Mangala
• 13 May – Samudraghosha
• 20 May – Shubhadasa
• 27 May – Keith
• 3 Jun – Launch of a new 5-week course: “The Greater Mandala”

Each evening usually includes meditation with instruction, discussion, connection, and a sense of spiritual adventure.

🌧️ April Showers, Dharma Flowers

April brings both sunlight and storms. And isn’t that just like life? One moment soft and golden, the next wet and wild. Just like the worldly winds. Our practice helps us to hold all of it—with curiosity, courage, and a heart as open as the sky.

Whether you’re returning after time away or just feeling curious to begin, you are warmly invited. The sangha is here, always. A place to land, a place to grow, a place to remember who you really are.

Until we meet again—may you feel the beauty in every blossom, the teachings in every raindrop, and the vastness of love in every breath.

With love and metta

Keith

Saturday 26th April 10am – 3pm (or morning only if you can’t make full day). Bring lunch to share
Free, with an opportunity to make a donation

Please arrive at 10am for a 10.15 start.For parking see the following:

Ware station car park all day parking £4.95

https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/highways-and-parking/details-our-car-parks/car-parks-ware/priory-street-car-park

Kibes Lane South all day for £5.30

https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/highways-and-parking/details-our-car-parks/car-parks-ware/kibes-lane-south-car-park   . 

Led by Sagaraghosa
Venue: Place House Hall, Bluecoat Yard, Ware SG12 9HL

Conditionality is at the core of the Buddha’s teachings. In this day we shall explore how this teaching is relevant to our lives today. We shall look at how it can help us with the stresses of various kinds that we experience in our lives, and how it can help us to move towards freedom and joy.

The day will consist of short talks, interactive explorations, reflections, small group discussions and meditations. It will also include readings and poems. It is suitable for anyone who knows how to meditate and for a range of experience.
Sagaraghosa has been teaching Buddhism and meditation at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre for over 14 years, and is the author of the book Starting on the Buddhist Path – a clear, accessible introduction to Buddhism encouraging readers to explore the truth of the Buddha’s teachings in their own experience.

Questions about retreats


1. Bhante Sangharakshita said, “You go on retreat in order to come back.” This suggests that retreats are not an escape but a way to prepare for re-engaging with daily life.

• How do you think the conditions of a retreat—such as silence, meditation, and simplicity—help us return to our lives with greater clarity and purpose?
  
  

2. The retreat experience often involves disconnecting from technology and practicing mindfulness in a serene environment.

• What impact do you think stepping away from phones, screens, and other distractions has on your ability to be present with yourself and others? How might this influence your relationship with technology after the retreat?
  
  

3. A participant described “friendly silence” as a space for peace and reflection, while acknowledging that not everyone finds silence easy.

• What is your relationship with silence? How might periods of silence during a retreat help deepen self-awareness or bring clarity to unresolved questions?
  
  

4. Retreats often provide opportunities for personal insights or epiphanies through journaling, meditation, or group discussions.

• Have you ever experienced a moment of clarity or transformation during a retreat or period of reflection? How did it change your perspective or actions afterward?
  
  

5. Spiritual friendship (kalyana mitrata) is central to retreats, as shared experiences can create a sense of connection and mutual support.

• How does being part of a sangha or spiritual community during a retreat enhance your practice? What role do these connections play in sustaining your spiritual journey after the retreat?

Dear Friends,

As February unfolds, I find myself drawn to the quiet signs of renewal in our local park, where the first white flowers have bravely emerged to face the winter elements. These early harbingers of spring seem to mirror our own journey of practice – finding courage to grow even when conditions aren’t perfect.

Teaching Buddhism: Stories of Connection
Last week brought an inspiring challenge – teaching Buddhism to Year 10 students at a local school, with ten different classes of 26 students each given just 20 minutes to explore these profound teachings. Now in my fourth year of doing this, I’ve discovered that the heart of sharing Buddhism lies in authentic personal story.

I share with them my journey as a choirboy at my local church, including those transcendent moments when music and spirit merged into something beyond words. Then I tell them about the questions that arose when blind faith no longer resonated, and how Buddhism later opened a door to similar experiences – not through belief, but through direct exploration of consciousness. Through meditation, retreats, and study groups, I found a path of discovery rather than doctrine.

The most touching moment came when asking what brings them joy. One student raised her hand to share that the brief meditation she had practiced earlier had brought her peace. In that simple response lay the essence of what we hope to share – that direct experience of something genuine and transformative.

Life with Full Attention: Tuesday Evenings
Our Tuesday evening classes continue to explore Maitreyabandhu’s “Life with Full Attention” course. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have been practising for years, you’re welcome to join us. No need to register – simply drop in and discover the power of mindfulness in community. The photo below was taken on week one of the course.

Spring Retreat at Vajrasana
We’re delighted to invite you to our spring retreat at the beautiful Vajrasana retreat centre, nestled in the Suffolk countryside near Bury St Edmunds. From March 21st-23rd, we’ll create a space for both beginners and experienced practitioners to deepen their practice together. As this will be our last retreat until October, I warmly encourage you to join us. Previous retreats have been profoundly uplifting experiences for all who attended. Book your place at https://hertfordbuddhistgroup.co.uk/retreat202503 (sliding scale £100-£155).

In Closing
Like those early spring flowers in the park, each of us has the capacity to bloom, even in challenging times. Whether you join us for Tuesday evenings or on retreat, know that you’re part of a community that values authentic growth and genuine connection.

Until we meet again, may your practice flourish like the first flowers of spring.

With metta,
Keith

Dear Friends,

As we stand at the threshold of 2025, I find myself contemplating how differently each of us experiences this unique time of year. For some, it sparkles with the warmth of family gatherings and celebrations, while for others, it carries the quiet weight of solitude or echoes of times past. What unites us all, perhaps, is that subtle shift in energy as January unfolds, bringing with it both the familiar rhythm of returning routines and the whispered possibility of new beginnings.

A Fresh Start

As the world prepares to spring back into full motion this Monday, I’m reminded of how easy it is to get swept along by the currents of our busy lives. Yet within this momentum lies an invitation – a chance to pause and gently ask ourselves: What direction would we like our life’s journey to take this year? Perhaps we’re yearning for deeper connections, more meaningful experiences, or simply moments of peace amidst life’s whirlwind?

Beginning Your Journey

If these questions resonate with you, I’m delighted to share that we’re starting an 8-week mindfulness and meditation course this Tuesday, January 7th, at The Millbridge Rooms in Hertford. Just turn up between 7:00 and 7:15 PM, and like all our classes, it’s offered freely and welcomes drop-ins. There is no need to register, or commit to coming all 8 weeks. You’ll find meditation instruction, discussion and also a warm community, friendly faces, and yes – even tea and biscuits!

To enrich your practice, you might want to buy  Maitreyabandhu’s “Life with Full Attention” book. There is also an app for your phone (with audio, videos and poetry). Just search “Life with Full Attention” in the app store. These resources are designed to go along with our course, and allow us to take a much deeper dive into the experience. However, they’re entirely optional. The most important step is simply showing up.

Deepening Your Practice: A Weekend Retreat

For those who’ve already tasted the transformative power of meditation, or feel called to explore its depths more fully, I’m excited to share news of our upcoming weekend retreat. From Friday March 21st to Sunday 23rd, we’ll be gathering at the beautiful Vajrasana retreat centre in the serene countryside near Bury St. Edmunds. This retreat, organised in partnership with the Bury St. Edmunds Buddhist group, welcomes both complete beginners and experienced practitioners over 18.

In my own experience, these weekend retreats offer something truly special – a chance to dive deeper into our practice than our usual Tuesday evenings allow. There’s a particular magic in dedicating a whole weekend to meditation and spiritual friendship that can profoundly influence our practice for months to come. You can secure your place at https://hertfordbuddhistgroup.co.uk/retreat202503.

In Conclusion

Whether you’re drawn to join us for Tuesday evenings, contemplating a retreat, or simply reading these words, know that you’re part of a community that values authentic connection and personal growth. As we step into this new year together, may we all find the courage to nurture what truly matters in our lives.

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out through our Facebook page or join our Facebook group. Until we meet, may your new year be filled with peace, meaning, and moments of genuine connection.

With warmth,

Keith

Dear Sangha Friends,

As winter wraps its cool embrace around us, I find myself reflecting on the warmth of our spiritual connections and the joy of shared practice.

A Day of Connection and Celebration
Recently, many of us gathered at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre for Sangha Day – a truly heart-warming occasion that brought together friends from across our extended Buddhist family. The day was made especially meaningful as we witnessed four of our sangha members take the significant step of becoming mitras in a beautiful ceremony. Sharing lunch and celebration with our friends from Cambridge, Luton, Letchworth, Peterborough, and Milton Keynes reminded me of how our individual spiritual journeys are enriched by these wider connections. Our relationship with the extended Cambridge sangha feels like a precious gift, one that continues to nurture and inspire our practice.

Looking Ahead – Our Winter Journey
As we approach the festive season and new year, we have some wonderful opportunities to deepen our practice together:

December 10th: An evening with Srigarbha
December 17th: Our joyful Sangha Soirée
December 24th & 31st: No class (time for family and reflection)
January 7th: Launch of our “Life with Full Attention” 8-week course

Celebrating Our Creative Spirit
Our Sangha Soirée on December 17th promises to be a heartfelt celebration of creativity and connection. Whether you sing, dance, play music, read poetry, share visual arts, or just watch – all expressions are welcome in our supportive space. Unlike certain TV talent shows, our evening is about joy, not judgment! If you’d like to participate, please let me know soon. And yes, there may well be cake!

Festive Season Practice
While we pause our regular Tuesday meetings for the holiday weeks, the London Buddhist Centre offers 4 day retreats throughout the festive period – a wonderful way to maintain your practice during this busy time.

New Horizons: Spring Retreat
Mark your calendars: March 21st-23rd, we’ll be joining the Bury St Edmunds Group for a weekend retreat at Vajrasana. This is an open retreat and it offers a perfect opportunity to deepen your practice in beautiful surroundings.

Supporting Your Daily Practice
Though our lunchtime in-person sessions are finishing on 18th Dec, our online meditation community continues to thrive. Charlotte has started offering Zoom meditations at 6am (Monday-Friday), and Zoom meditations from thebuddhistcentre.com are at 7:30am, and 1pm (Monday-Saturday). Details at hertfordbuddhistgroup.co.uk/zoommeditations/. These shared moments of practice have become a meaningful part of many people’s days, offering connection and depth to our individual journeys. I have been joining some of these, and often find it a warmer, deeper experience than meditating on my own.

For those embracing technology in their practice, the Insight Timer app for our phones offers another way to connect. If you log into it, search for our Hertford group, and you can join it, and friend us there. It allows us to meditate together virtually, share encouragement, and maintain practice streaks. While technology isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s there if you find it helpful.

A New Year, A New Beginning
I’m particularly excited about our upcoming “Life with Full Attention” course starting January 7th. Last offered by us just before the pandemic in 2020, this transformative course, based on Maitreyabandhu’s excellent book, offers practical tools for bringing mindfulness into every aspect of life. I highly recommend getting the book and companion phone app to enhance your journey.

As we move through these darkening days toward the winter solstice, may we remember that our practice, like the sun, continues its cycle of renewal. Whether you’re celebrating or quietly reflecting this season, know that your sangha is here, holding space for your journey.

With warmth and metta,

Keith

Meditating with others in person is best, but it is also nice to meditate with others on zoom. When I have done it, I usually feel the warmth of the connection, and it helps me go deeper into the practice. So why not join us or the main Triratna ones at one of the times below 🙂


06:00 AM London
Every weekday. Not at weekends

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81955272515?pwd=jPnJE1QNcRnfb3bc9kAus6crxUneyR.1

Meeting ID: 819 5527 2515
Passcode: 4DUi7j

You can download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Daily: https://us05web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUkcuyqqTkvG9ET6fF0o_WGbBL7R-V1CQ1O/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGppz4vGNOXtRiCRpwcHY_4Z-rwtnpYjfp4qEnjJXBcXTTRNMBuZYAyJonz&meetingMasterEventId=ZPxKaoQ4RJiGCky1-XvsBg

It will run Mon – Fri 6am – 6.30am

5 min body grounding
25 min silent meditation

If that is too early, you can also join the global Triratna ones at 7.30am and 1pm Monday to Saturday. https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/toolkit/meditation/

Dear Friends,

As the November winds whisper through the trees and winter begins to peek around the corner, I find myself filled with joy and gratitude reflecting on our recent gathering by the sea. Twenty-four of us have just returned from our first Hertford sangha retreat since before the pandemic.

A Return to Retreat

There’s something truly magical about witnessing someone experience their first retreat. For many in our group, this was precisely that moment – their first taste of the profound beauty and warmth that comes from dedicated spiritual practice together. Our host, the Othona retreat centre on the East Essex Coast, provided the perfect setting for this adventure. It was particularly touching to see how this Christian community, open to people of all faiths and none (just like our Tuesday class), has also discovered the transformative power of retreat.

Sacred Spaces and Discoveries

The shrine room held a special secret – the sea just beyond its walls, its presence initially hidden like so many spiritual treasures that reveal themselves in their own time.

Our days were woven with the familiar threads of retreat life – meditations, silence embraced us in its gentle hold, and puja invited us into deeper connection. Between these structured moments, we found joy in discussion groups, shared countless cups of tea, and even discovered our creative spirits during an arts and crafts afternoon. Some of us sketched our inspirations, while others composed a song that they generously shared with us at the retreat’s end.

But perhaps most precious was the warmth of sangha itself – that indefinable yet palpable sense of community that opens our hearts and reminds us we’re not walking this path alone.

Looking Ahead: Our Winter Journey Together

As we move towards the year’s end, we have some wonderful gatherings planned. Newcomers are always made very welcome. Just turn up at the Millbridge rooms between 7pm and 7.15pm:

• 12 November: Samudraghosha leads our evening
• 19 November: Khemananda joins us
• 26 November: Shubhadasa guides our practice
• 03 December: To be confirmed
• 10 December: To be confirmed
• 17 December: Sangha Soiree
• 24 December: No class (Winter break)
• 31 December: No class (Winter break)
• 07 January: Classes resume

Lunchtime Meditation

Remember our weekly oasis of calm: Wednesday lunchtime classes continue from 1pm to 2pm – a perfect mid-week pause to refresh your practice and connect with sangha.

Sangha Day at Cambridge Buddhist Centre – 17th November

Not to be missed. Many of us are going up from Hertford for the day. The day will be especially meaningful as we celebrate four of our sangha members – Adrian, Charlotte, Liz and Lucy – becoming Mitras (the Sanskrit word for ‘friend’, marking a formal commitment to practicing Buddhism within our community). There are also family activities in the morning to which you can bring young children. Details at Cambridge Buddhist Centre

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December Highlight: Our Sangha Soiree!

Our beloved Sangha Soiree is approaching! This is your invitation to share your gifts with our community – whether through music, song, poetry, memoirs, photographs, dance, or any other creative expression. Remember, this isn’t about perfection – it’s about sharing from the heart with our wonderfully appreciative sangha family. Past performances have included everything from instrumental pieces to belly dancing, from opera appreciation to Disney singalongs!

If you’ve never been to one of our events before, the Soiree is the perfect opportunity to experience the warmth and creativity of our community in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Please let me know if you’d like to contribute a performance. And do bring friends and family to join in this celebration. I’m certain someone will bring cake!

In Conclusion

As the days grow shorter and the world prepares for winter’s quiet, let’s hold close the warmth we’ve generated together. Whether you joined us at the retreat or have yet to experience one, know that our sangha’s doors are always open, ready to welcome you home.

Until we meet again, may your practice be steady, your heart be warm, and your spirit be lifted by the knowledge that you’re part of this beautiful community.

With metta,

Keith

Dear Friends,

As we navigate the crisp waters of October – that enchanting month when the world seems to don its most colourful attire – I find myself pondering the deepening hues of our spiritual journey and the connections we’ve forged.

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my dear Mother, who passed away last year at the remarkable age of 99 and a half. This weekend, I scattered her ashes into a lake together with some close family members. It was a poignant final farewell, serving as a powerful reminder to cherish our friends and family whilst they’re still with us.

A Tale of Timeless Teachings
We’ve been immersing ourselves in Sagaraghosha’s beautiful book, and what a journey it’s been! We’ve explored the why, what, and how of following the Buddhist path, delved into the Buddha’s life and qualities, and pondered his teachings and the importance of morality. It’s as if we’ve been painting a vast canvas together, each brushstroke adding depth and meaning to our understanding.

The beautiful part? Each week, as we gather, it feels like we’re adding new colours to this masterpiece. In our discussions, I’ve witnessed moments of profound realisation, as if someone suddenly saw the entire painting when before they’d only glimpsed a corner.

It reminds me of how, when we truly engage with these teachings, life suddenly seems to flow with purpose. Our practices – be it meditation, attending classes, or simply connecting with our spiritual friends – they all align like autumn leaves falling into a perfect pattern, guiding us towards something profound. This photo was taken a few weeks ago after week one of the course.

What’s Next on Our Journey?
Speaking of meaning, we’re about to embark on some truly fascinating explorations.
Next Tuesday (8th October), we’ll be diving into the ocean of spiritual friendship. I can’t help but wonder: how do these connections ripple out into our daily lives, creating waves of compassion and understanding?
For the following weeks, we have a constellation of inspiring sessions lined up:

15th October: “Exploring the Mystery” – the culmination of our six-week course.
22nd October: Simon will be our guide through a meditation workshop.
29th October: Mangala will be travelling up from London to visit us.
5th November: To be confirmed. Perhaps an opportunity to experience internal fireworks?
12th November: Khemananda will be journeying from London to join us.
19th November: Samudraghosha takes the helm.

Each session promises to be a unique leaf on our tree of understanding – colourful, vital, and part of a greater whole.

Young People News
In exciting news, we’re nurturing new growth in our sangha garden. Charlotte has taken on the role of organising events for our younger members. It’s heartening to see fresh faces joining our journey, bringing new perspectives and energy. You can find out more at https://hertfordbuddhistgroup.co.uk/young-people/

Lunchtime meditation class (drop-in)
Wednesdays, October 2 to December 18, 1:05pm-1:55pm (doors open 12:55pm)
Millbridge Rooms, Maidenhead Yard, Hertford SG14 1PT
Led by Aryajit and Samudraghosha

An opportunity to practise meditation together in the middle of a busy day, developing awareness, open-heartedness and inner strength. We’ll be practising the Mindfulness of Breathing and Mettabhavana (loving-kindness) meditations – full instruction given. This class is open to all and is without charge.

In Conclusion
As we navigate these autumn days, let’s remember that our practice isn’t just about finding meaning – it’s about creating it, together, in moments of connection, reflection, and yes, even in the crunch of leaves beneath our feet.

So, whether you’re watching the leaves fall, feeling the first nip of winter in the air, or somewhere in between, know that your sangha family is here, ready to explore the changing seasons of life with you. Until we meet again, may your days be meaningful, your meditation cushion inviting, and your heart as vast as the autumn sky.

With warmth

Keith