Category: Homepage-Featured

  • Rigpa Family Day

    Rigpa Family Day

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    In-person

    📆 Date:

    Saturday, 31 January 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    11.00am – 1pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    💰 Fee:

    £5 suggested donation for Child | £5 for family group

    Open to families with children.

    Join us for simple meditation, relaxation and yoga movement.

    Family Day: Mindful Moments for Little and Big Hearts

    Join us for a gentle, joyful Family Day designed to help children and their grown-ups slow down, connect, and simply be together. This relaxed event invites families to explore simple meditation, playful yoga-inspired movements, and calming creative crafts in a supportive, relaxed environment.

    Through mindfulness activities, children will learn easy ways to notice their breath, their bodies, and their feelings, all while having fun. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their children, making this a shared experience of presence, curiosity, and connection.

    We’ll move softly, stretch gently, and create with our hands, offering moments of calm balanced with light-hearted play. No prior experience with yoga or meditation is needed, just comfortable clothes and an open mind.

    After the activities, families are welcome to stay, relax, and enjoy some snacks together. This is a chance to mingle, chat, and build community with other families in a warm, welcoming space.

    Come as you are, take a pause from the busyness of everyday life, and enjoy a nourishing afternoon of mindfulness, creativity, and togetherness. 🌱

    Pleass bring food/snacks to share so we can lunch together after the morning session.


    How to participate

    This event will be held in person.

    Suggested donation l

    Per Child l£5

    Family group l £10

    Financial hardship l Donate what you can

    Contact [email protected] if you are unable to make a donation of any amount at this time and we will register you.

    *Dharma teachings are always offered free of charge. We do not turn anyone away on financial grounds. Your financial contribution is used towards centre running costs, staff salaries, equipment etc. Thank you for your support.

  • (FREE) Bodhi Moment: DEALING WITH STRESS

    (FREE) Bodhi Moment: DEALING WITH STRESS

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    FREE, in-person

    📆 Date:

    Saturday, 7 February 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    10.30am – 12.30pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    Introduction: Working with Stress & Anxiety using Buddhist wisdom tools

    Life is stressful.

    Money, family, children, work, the environment. No matter where we turn, we find another reason to stress out.

    We can choose so many different ways to cope with stress: taking time off, going on vacation, exercising, getting a massage, or just being distracted.

    Many of these methods, while wonderful and useful, tend to deal with the outermost manifestations of stress and may not offer a lasting solution.

    At bodhi, we explore a different way of dealing with stress; one that can have a more lasting and transformative effect on your life. We start by asking ourselves: what really is the root of our stress? What role does our own mind play in the stress we are experiencing?

    FREE to join

    Teachers

    Dragana Alvarez

    Dragana Alvarez has been practising and studying Buddhist Teachings since the early 90s. She taught in higher and further education and also worked as a translator. Her work experience has provided her with an invaluable understanding of the importance of creating a warm environment for clear communication and exchange. She has been an instructor on a range of courses in the London Rigpa Centre for over fifteen years.

    Will Mansfield

    Will Mansfield has been practising Buddhism for over 25 years and has been instructing on courses in the London Rigpa Centre for over 15 years. He finds it rewarding to see the benefits that meditation and Buddhist teachings can bring to people’s lives and how these two work together to help them deepen their sense of self-discovery.

    Vinciane Rycroft

    Vinciane Rycroft is passionate about social connection, sustainability and how we can live together well on the earth. She has undertaken a number of projects over the years, including award-winning environmental education programmes, a charity to introduce mindfulness and compassion into schools, as well as conferences on compassion in society. She is a first generation Western Buddhist, who started meditating when she was 18.

    Rosey Hastings

    Rosey Hastings has been studying and practising Buddhism since the 1980s. She was a schoolteacher for 30 years, teaching children and young adults with learning difficulties and in particular dyslexia. She is passionate about making Buddhism accessible and meaningful to anyone who has the interest and curiosity whatever their background, education, and preferred style of learning. Rosey supports and teaches on the public and sangha programme in the UK.

    David Rycroft

    David Rycroft is an educator, fine artist and co-founder of Mind With Heart, an international charity training teachers and students in sustainable wellbeing, emotional health and social connection. Since 1994 he has studied and practiced consistently within the Rigpa sangha, receiving extensive teachings on mindfulness and mind from a host of illustrious teachers. During this time he raised a family, and taught art in a north London secondary school for ten years. David recently set up and continues to direct Teach-Peace, a secular education project of the European Buddhist Union.

    Educated at Eton College and Edinburgh University, David also has an MA (distinction) in Buddhist Studies from Sunderland University. David specialises in teaching meditation in both Buddhist and secular settings. He brings a spirit of experiential enquiry and playful creativity to his role as a teacher. His paintings, celebrating natural vitality and inviting us to appreciate the wonders of nature, are exhibited internationally, including an exhibition at UNESCO, Paris

    Carol

    Carol has been studying the Buddhist teachings for over 30 years and an instructor at the London Centre for 25 years, specialising in the meditation courses. Previously she worked in I.T . and as a project manager for a major corporation, leading multi cultural teams and enjoying the interaction with others. Having experienced the remarkable benefits of these teachings and practices, it’s her greatest wish to share these with others and enable everyone to integrate them into their own lives.

  • (FREE) Bodhi Moment: DEALING WITH STRESS

    (FREE) Bodhi Moment: DEALING WITH STRESS

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    FREE, in-person

    📆 Date:

    Thursday, 5 February 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    7.00pm – 9.00pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    Introduction: Working with Stress & Anxiety using Buddhist wisdom tools

    Life is stressful.

    Money, family, children, work, the environment. No matter where we turn, we find another reason to stress out.

    We can choose so many different ways to cope with stress: taking time off, going on vacation, exercising, getting a massage, or just being distracted.

    Many of these methods, while wonderful and useful, tend to deal with the outermost manifestations of stress and may not offer a lasting solution.

    At bodhi, we explore a different way of dealing with stress; one that can have a more lasting and transformative effect on your life. We start by asking ourselves: what really is the root of our stress? What role does our own mind play in the stress we are experiencing?

    FREE to join

    Teachers

    Dragana Alvarez

    Dragana Alvarez has been practising and studying Buddhist Teachings since the early 90s. She taught in higher and further education and also worked as a translator. Her work experience has provided her with an invaluable understanding of the importance of creating a warm environment for clear communication and exchange. She has been an instructor on a range of courses in the London Rigpa Centre for over fifteen years.

    Will Mansfield

    Will Mansfield has been practising Buddhism for over 25 years and has been instructing on courses in the London Rigpa Centre for over 15 years. He finds it rewarding to see the benefits that meditation and Buddhist teachings can bring to people’s lives and how these two work together to help them deepen their sense of self-discovery.

    Vinciane Rycroft

    Vinciane Rycroft is passionate about social connection, sustainability and how we can live together well on the earth. She has undertaken a number of projects over the years, including award-winning environmental education programmes, a charity to introduce mindfulness and compassion into schools, as well as conferences on compassion in society. She is a first generation Western Buddhist, who started meditating when she was 18.

    Rosey Hastings

    Rosey Hastings has been studying and practising Buddhism since the 1980s. She was a schoolteacher for 30 years, teaching children and young adults with learning difficulties and in particular dyslexia. She is passionate about making Buddhism accessible and meaningful to anyone who has the interest and curiosity whatever their background, education, and preferred style of learning. Rosey supports and teaches on the public and sangha programme in the UK.

    David Rycroft

    David Rycroft is an educator, fine artist and co-founder of Mind With Heart, an international charity training teachers and students in sustainable wellbeing, emotional health and social connection. Since 1994 he has studied and practiced consistently within the Rigpa sangha, receiving extensive teachings on mindfulness and mind from a host of illustrious teachers. During this time he raised a family, and taught art in a north London secondary school for ten years. David recently set up and continues to direct Teach-Peace, a secular education project of the European Buddhist Union.

    Educated at Eton College and Edinburgh University, David also has an MA (distinction) in Buddhist Studies from Sunderland University. David specialises in teaching meditation in both Buddhist and secular settings. He brings a spirit of experiential enquiry and playful creativity to his role as a teacher. His paintings, celebrating natural vitality and inviting us to appreciate the wonders of nature, are exhibited internationally, including an exhibition at UNESCO, Paris

    Carol

    Carol has been studying the Buddhist teachings for over 30 years and an instructor at the London Centre for 25 years, specialising in the meditation courses. Previously she worked in I.T . and as a project manager for a major corporation, leading multi cultural teams and enjoying the interaction with others. Having experienced the remarkable benefits of these teachings and practices, it’s her greatest wish to share these with others and enable everyone to integrate them into their own lives.

  • Clear Mind Meditation Course

    Clear Mind Meditation Course

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    in-person + course

    📆 Date:

    Thursdays, 19 February – 26 March 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    6.30pm – 8.15pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    💰 Fee:

    £60 suggested donation for six weeks

    In person once a week on a Thursday evening.

    Bodhi Courses

    We might search for ways to bring ourselves to a clear and peaceful mind, but often, our thoughts and emotions feel just too busy to be ignored!

    The busier we get, the more thinking we do. Perhaps our emotions go wild, or we are left in a state of stress and overwhelm.

    Journey with us as we explore how the ancient art of meditation can help us become more calm, clear, confident, and connected with ourselves and with others.Learn how to meditate and establish your own meditation practice during this six-week course, alongside our team of friendly and experienced meditation teachers.What you’ll receive:

    // Weekly classes with expert teachers

    // Access to weekly recordings of guided meditations// A weekly reflection exercise

    // Community support through a WhatsApp group// A regular meditation practice schedule made to fit your lifestyle// Weekly in-person and online meditation practise sessions at Rigpa

    Event summary

    Category : Learn to Meditate six-week course
    Starts : 19 Feb 2026
    Schedule : Thursdays 6.30pm – 8.15pm
    Format : In-person

    Suggested Contribution l  £60 (£10/session)

    *Dharma teachings are always offered free of charge. We do not turn anyone away on financial grounds. Your financial contribution is used towards centre running costs, staff salaries, laptops etc. Thank you for your support.

    **Rigpa UK has a policy of not turning anyone away on financial grounds. Please do contact us at [email protected] if you are unable to make a donation at this time so we can register you.

    Teachers

    Dragana Alvarez

    Dragana Alvarez has been practising and studying Buddhist Teachings since the early 90s. She taught in higher and further education and also worked as a translator. Her work experience has provided her with an invaluable understanding of the importance of creating a warm environment for clear communication and exchange. She has been an instructor on a range of courses in the London Rigpa Centre for over fifteen years.

    Will Mansfield

    Will Mansfield has been practising Buddhism for over 25 years and has been instructing on courses in the London Rigpa Centre for over 15 years. He finds it rewarding to see the benefits that meditation and Buddhist teachings can bring to people’s lives and how these two work together to help them deepen their sense of self-discovery.

    Vinciane Rycroft

    Vinciane Rycroft is passionate about social connection, sustainability and how we can live together well on the earth. She has undertaken a number of projects over the years, including award-winning environmental education programmes, a charity to introduce mindfulness and compassion into schools, as well as conferences on compassion in society. She is a first generation Western Buddhist, who started meditating when she was 18.

    Rosey Hastings

    Rosey Hastings has been studying and practising Buddhism since the 1980s. She was a schoolteacher for 30 years, teaching children and young adults with learning difficulties and in particular dyslexia. She is passionate about making Buddhism accessible and meaningful to anyone who has the interest and curiosity whatever their background, education, and preferred style of learning. Rosey supports and teaches on the public and sangha programme in the UK.

    David Rycroft

    David Rycroft is an educator, fine artist and co-founder of Mind With Heart, an international charity training teachers and students in sustainable wellbeing, emotional health and social connection. Since 1994 he has studied and practiced consistently within the Rigpa sangha, receiving extensive teachings on mindfulness and mind from a host of illustrious teachers. During this time he raised a family, and taught art in a north London secondary school for ten years. David recently set up and continues to direct Teach-Peace, a secular education project of the European Buddhist Union.

    Educated at Eton College and Edinburgh University, David also has an MA (distinction) in Buddhist Studies from Sunderland University. David specialises in teaching meditation in both Buddhist and secular settings. He brings a spirit of experiential enquiry and playful creativity to his role as a teacher. His paintings, celebrating natural vitality and inviting us to appreciate the wonders of nature, are exhibited internationally, including an exhibition at UNESCO, Paris

    Carol

    Carol has been studying the Buddhist teachings for over 30 years and an instructor at the London Centre for 25 years, specialising in the meditation courses. Previously she worked in I.T . and as a project manager for a major corporation, leading multi cultural teams and enjoying the interaction with others. Having experienced the remarkable benefits of these teachings and practices, it’s her greatest wish to share these with others and enable everyone to integrate them into their own lives.

  • Making Friends with Change

    Making Friends with Change

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    In-person, Course

    📆 Date:

    Fridays, 13 February – 30 March 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    7.30pm – 9pm

    📍 Addr.:

    The Open Door, Church Twitten (next to 32 High Street), Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2LU

    💰 Fee:

    £60 suggested donation for six weeks

    This short course explores meditation as a support to face change with new perspective—finding new possibilities for release, renewal, and even joy—in every moment.

    We all experience change. Often it’s in small ways; sometimes change turns our lives upside down.

    How can we navigate the constant changes of life without losing our sense of perspective and presence?

    How can we use and harness the changes life throws at us to help ourselves and others?

    Buddhist teachings say that understanding change can help us in many ways. As well as heightening our sense of what is important to us in our lives, reflecting on the changing nature of life helps us to approach ourselves, others, and our world with greater ease, clarity and appreciation. Ultimately, reflecting on change can guide us to discover – paradoxically – what, if anything, lies beyond it. The fear that impermanence awakens in us, that everything changes, can be a springboard to finding a deeper freedom within.

    During these 6 weeks, you’ll explore simple yet powerful meditation methods—drawn from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition—that help us in settling our minds, opening our hearts, and making friends with change.

    In addition to presentation, discussion and meditation practice, these popular Friday evening courses are also a great way to meet others and to benefit from a shared journey of learning and discovery!

    “Excellent courses, designed not just to teach meditation but a new relationship to oneself, life, and others. Thoughtful, loving and nurturing.”

    “It’s been a treat to be immersed in so much peace on a weekly basis while learning some solid foundations for a meditative practice.”

    “Easily the best part of my week and unquestionably one of the most important things I have discovered in my life to date.”

    “A very stimulating and thought-provoking programme.”


    What’s in this course?

    • practices and reflections guided by meditation teachers with many years of experience
    • practical suggestions to bring our practice and insights into everyday life
    • guided meditations to support our practice at home
    • and much more

    Open to all 18+ . Younger adults are welcome if attended by a responsible adult.

    No experience needed.

    Suggested donation l £60

    Financial hardship: if the above suggested amount is not feasible for you, please donate an amount that is affordable. All donations are gratefully received as they enable us to continue to run events.

    Places limited. Booking is required.

    Dates and times: Six sessions, running weekly on Friday evenings from 13th February to 20th March, from 7.30pm to 9pm including tea break.

    Venue: The Open Door, Church Twitten (next to 32 High Street), Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2LU

    Click here for directions to The Open Door.

    Sorry, there is no disabled access at this venue.

    This course is an in-person only event, and will not be accessible online.

    Run by Rigpa South Downs, part of Rigpa UK.

    The course is also part of our ongoing programme exploring fundamental understandings and practices of the Buddhist path. For more details on our local Dharma programme, see our online events calendar here.

  • A New Way Of Seeing The World Part 1: DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

    A New Way Of Seeing The World Part 1: DISCOVERING BUDDHISM

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    Course , Online

    📆 Date:

    Mondays, 9 February – 20 April 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    7.30pm – 9pm (CET)

    💰 Fee:

    160 € suggested donation for ten weeks

    Part 1: Discovering Buddhist Wisdom

    Weekly ONLINE interactive course over 10 weeks with Dominique Side

    Available on Rigpa’s Online Courses platform from 9 February – 20 April 2026

    “This course provides a refreshing and stimulating approach to the Dharma. I really appreciate Dominique’s clear and direct style of teaching, and her knowledge and experience of the subject really shows.” Jon

    Registration for this course is open

    The live sessions of the course will be given in English only (if a small group of French or German join, translation can be offered); materials on the website are available in English, French and German.

    All course materials and the zoom link will be made available on Rigpa Online Courses a week before the course starts.

    For any inquiries about the course please write to [email protected]



    TOPICS OF THE COURSE

    The Buddha’s wisdom reveals a new way of seeing the world and ourselves in it. Buddhist teachings offer reflections that challenge our usual ways of thinking and invite us to question our values and assumptions. 

    This interactive course is an exploration of the key points of Buddhist thought. We will examine these perspectives closely to see the similarities and differences between Buddhist views and contemporary ideas. We will be invited to revisit our own views and clarify for ourselves what our outlook on life actually is. This process leads to far greater confidence in the way we see things.

    ABOUT DOMINIQUE SIDE

    Dominique Side encountered Tibetan Buddhism in the mid-seventies in London—it rapidly became her life’s passion. Since then she has dedicated her life to communicating the extremely practical and at the same time deeply profound ideas  of Tibetan Buddhism to people of all walks of life. 

    Dominique has studied with Sogyal Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in particular, and has completed several strict practise retreats. She also obtained a Ph.D. in Madhyamaka philosophy from Bristol University, UK. She taught Buddhism in London schools for eight years and wrote several textbooks on the subject. Under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse she initiated the Milinda training programme for Dharma teachers in 2017. For five years Dominique served as vice-president of the European Buddhist Union; and she manages ‘Windows into Buddhism’, a website with educational resources for those who teach Buddhism to children. 

    Entrusted as a Senior Teacher in Rigpa, she specialises in making Buddhist thought and philosophy accessible to all.

    Recently Dominique started writing in-depth articles from the Buddhist perspective for her blog The Softer Gaze, that have the power to enrich the everyday and support a softer view of life, one that is infused with the Buddha’s compassionate gaze.

    She is author of Discovering Buddhism (2022) that presents the history and key ideas of all the main traditions of Buddhism in an accessible way for the general public and the education sector. Dominique also wrote the ‘A New Way of Seeing. From Knowledge to insight’ (2025), where she set out to share the basic principles of Buddhist thought in an accessible and, above all, relevant way: It presents the Four Nobles truths in a fresh way and invites the reader to unpack these basic truths by seeing how they sit with the views we actually hold. A course on this book will be held in May/June this year (LINK)

    She edited two books by the Dalai Lama The Four Noble Truths (Thorsons, 1998) and Transforming the Mind (Thorsons, 1999).

    WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

    This is a special, stimulating course, open to everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Buddhist. 

    For Rigpa students, this course is an optional module of the ‘Foundations of the Path’, designed for those who wish to deepen their study at the heart of the ‘Buddha, Dharma and Sangha’. 

    HOW WILL THE COURSE WORK?

    The weekly 90 min live online sessions include talks, discussions, Q&A and guided reflections. This is supported by:

    – videos and written materials on the Rigpa Online Courses platform to prepare the live session

    – materials used during the live session

    – an online discussion forum, and 

    – recorded audio contemplations.

    Most of the course reading will be taken from “Discovering Buddhism” by Dominique Side. We recommend purchasing this book in order to follow the course. All other above mentioned resources will be available online.

    A replay of each session will be available for one week so anyone from any time zone can follow or catch up if a session is missed.

    CONTENT OF THE WEEKLY SESSIONS

    Week 1         What is wisdom?

    Week 2         Mindfulness: the support of wisdom

    Week 3         How things appear and how things are

    Week 4         The Four Noble Truths

    Week 5         Who am I ? Body and mind

    Week 6         The afflictions: how do they function and how can we eliminate them?    

    Week 7         Karma: what it is, how it works, can a Buddhist do without it?

    Week 8         The Wheel of Life

    Week 9         What does enlightenment mean?

    Week 10       The journey: Stages on the Buddhist path 

    COURSE DATES

    Monday evenings 19:30-21:00 CET on

    February 9., 16., 23., 

    March 2., 9., 16., 23., 30., 

    April 13., 20.

    HOW TO ACCESS THE COURSE

    The course is presented on Rigpa’s Online Courses platform with registration via Prajna.

    Upon registration the course will be added to your personal library on Prajna as well as to your account on Rigpa Online Courses. In order to access the course on Rigpa Online Courses you need to use your login for that platform. Note that this login is different from your Prajna login.

    If you don’t have an account on Rigpa Online Courses yet, we will set one up for you during registration and send you an email with login name and a temporary password which you can change later.

    For any inquiries about the course on the Rigpa Online Courses platform please write to [email protected]

    Prajna is a non-profit organisation and your donation/contribution will help to cover the costs of the course: 

    – Suggested contribution/donation:  160 €

    – If you want to give more:  300 €

    – If you have less means:  80 €

    TESTIMONIES

    “Dominique’s course was world class! Each session was so full of content. It really kept sparking and energising me each week: to want to read more, learn and understand more. It was just super accessible and motivating.” Janet 

    “This course went much deeper than other public courses on Buddhism I have done. I appreciated the discipline of following a weekly session, from home.” Beatrice

    “Thank you so much. So enriching and a nice first to follow such an international course, exchanging with people all over the world. And Dominique’s presentations are really eye-opening. Contemplation and examination really make the difference.” Elly

    “During Q&A sessions, the answers by Dominique were sometimes mind blowing, very clear. I like the way she is speaking, sometimes just cutting through our narrow thinking and often quite humorous.” Andrea

    “This course is what I needed to refresh many years of study and practice. Going back to the ‘basics’! Thank you Dominique and all. This is a real treasure.” Brigit

    “I feel a lot of joy each evening! I am happy to have joined this course! I find it refreshing and angled in a very interesting way.  I feel a lot of gratitude to Dominique for her many years of study and practice that also give depth to her words!” Simone

    > BOOKING LINK <

  • Know your mind. Transform your life.

    Know your mind. Transform your life.

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    In-person, Online

    📆 Date:

    Weekend, 28 February – 1 March 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    10am – 5pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    💰 Fee:

    £120 suggested donation

    Finding peace, compassion, and wisdom in the nature of your own mind.

    With Senior Teacher Jan van der Breggen.


    This weekend retreat will take you to the heart of the still revolutionary insight of Buddhism, that life and death are in the mind, and nowhere else. In Dzogchen—the most direct stream of wisdom within the teachings of Buddhism—the mind is revealed as the universal basis of experience: the creator of happiness and the creator of suffering, the creator of what we call samsara and what we call nirvana.

    Through a dynamic process of hearing, reflection, and meditation, guided by the teachings of the Buddha and based on our own direct experience, we will investigate exactly how the mind is the root of our entire reality. This exploration leads to a profound certainty and confidence in our mind’s intrinsic essence: the unchanging, pure awareness that underlies the whole of life and death.

    From this foundation of trust in our inherently pure nature, we will cultivate a deep inner conviction that the mind’s appearances—its unending display of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions—are indeed workable. It is truly possible to ‘tame this mind of ours’, and through this find the peace, compassion, and wisdom that are at the heart of who we really are. 

    The retreat will allow for reflection and meditation on the teachings that are shared tailored to each participants’ prior experience: from complete beginners to Rigpa meditation, ngondro, and dzogchen mandala students.


    Teacher

    Jan began his path of meditation at 17 years old, touched by the tenderness of the human experience and filled with questions about what reality was all about. Forty years later, Jan continues to be moved by the vast profundity of the Buddhist path and its vision of the inherent wisdom, loving kindness and strength that lies in the minds of each and every one of us.

    Jan completed Rigpa’s three-year retreat under the guidance of Sogyal Rinpoche. He was entrusted as one of Rigpa’s Senior teachers by Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche and Mindroling Jetsun Khandro in 2022. Jan has been a participant in the Milinda program since 2017. Milinda is a 10-year, international Buddhist teacher training program under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, with a three month per year intensive and immersive in-person learning and reflection program.

    Jan grew up in the Netherlands where he obtained a Masters Degree in Social and Historical Anthropology. He has lived in Brisbane, Australia, since 1998, and was instrumental in founding Rigpa Brisbane in 1999, where he has served as a Dharma instructor for over 20 years.


    How to participate

    This event will be held in person and online.
    * Online Zoom details for online attendees will be in the eventbrite reminder emails 2 days and 2 hours before the event.


    Suggested donation l £120

    Consession l £60

    Financial hardship l Donate what you can

    Contact [email protected] if you are unable to make a donation of any amount at this time and we will register you.

    *Dharma teachings are always offered free of charge. We do not turn anyone away on financial grounds. Your financial contribution is used towards centre running costs, staff salaries, equipment etc. Thank you for your support.

    **You can cancel and receive an automatic refund through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event.

  • The Illusion of Gender

    The Illusion of Gender

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    In-person

    📆 Date:

    Wednesday, 11 March 2026

    ⏱️ Time:

    7pm – 9pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    💰 Fee:

    £18 suggested donation for six weeks

    Transgender Experience and the Understanding of Identity in Buddhism

    How do we relate personally to the idea of gender? In this talk, we will attempt to apply the investigative tools of the Buddhist teachings to our ideas of gender, and how they impact our behaviour.

    Teachers

    Naomi Gassler is a writer, longtime meditator, and teacher in the Rigpa organisation. She studied physics and mathematics and received her Ph.D. from Northeastern University, Boston, USA. In 1997 she moved to Lerab Ling, Rigpa’s retreat centre in the south of France, and has since then worked to help with the translation and transmission of the ancient Buddhist wisdom to the Western World. She is passionate about finding ways to integrate the wisdom and compassion of the teachings of the Buddha into our everyday activities, and thus dissolving any separation between daily life and one’s own spiritual path. Naomi, a transgender woman, enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and for her family, as well as planning and constructing wooden chalets in Lerab Ling.


    How to participate

    This event will be held in person.


    Suggested donation l

    Full rate l £18

    Concessions l £9*

    Financial hardship l Donate what you can

    Contact [email protected] if you are unable to make a donation of any amount at this time and we will register you.

    *Dharma teachings are always offered free of charge. We do not turn anyone away on financial grounds. Your financial contribution is used towards centre running costs, staff salaries, equipment etc. Thank you for your support.

  • (FREE) Drop-in Meditation Online

    (FREE) Drop-in Meditation Online

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    FREE, drop-in, online

    📆 Date:

    Mondays

    ⏱️ Time:

    8:35am–9am

    📍 Addr.:

    Online

    A gentle, guided shamatha (calm abiding) meditation practise.

    These 45 minute online sessions have been running since 2020 and are for both new students and more established ones.

    Feel free to join us whenever you are able to.

    Teacher

    Jonathan Hayward is a UK-based teacher and volunteer for Rigpa UK. He has a background in classical music and talking therapy, and lives in the Sussex countryside.

    Joining

    The Zoom details are included in the confirmation email so please save these.

    Please join the meeting with the name you registered with.

    FREE to join

    Ticket sales for each session close 1 minutes before the start time.

  • Drop-in Meditation in N1

    Drop-in Meditation in N1

    🧘🏻‍♀️ Type:

    drop-in meditation

    📆 Date:

    Tuesdays

    ⏱️ Time:

    6.30pm–8pm

    📍 Addr.:

    London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB

    💰 Fee:

    £5 suggested donation

    We warmly invite you to join our drop-in meditation sessions, open to all, held weekly on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8pm with our experienced instructors in our London Centre at 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB.

    Should a drop-in session need to be cancelled we’ll let you know via eventbrite booking cancellation and here. Please check on this page before coming each week if you haven’t booked through eventbrite.