I would like you to learn from a real person, in a real room, at least at the start. I am not recommending any one organisation, and I earn nothing from any of them. Here is how to look.
Where to look
- Ask around. A friend, a colleague or a neighbour who practises can often take you along for a first visit.
- Look at the organisation's own website. Many have a way to find a centre by city. These two are examples I have checked, with no ranking implied:
- Brahma Kumaris: brahmakumaris.com (use the site to find a centre near you).
- Vipassana as taught by S.N. Goenka: dhamma.org (centres and course dates are listed there).
- Walk in. Temples, gurdwaras, churches, mosques, Buddhist and Jain centres and yoga schools in your area often run open sessions.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What exactly will happen in the first session, and in the first month?
- Is there any cost? If so, what is it for, and is it written down?
- Can I come and just watch first?
- What do you believe, and what are you asking me to believe or do?
- Who is the teacher, and who taught them?
- What happens if I stop coming?
Good signs
- Clear answers, including "I don't know".
- No hurry. You may visit more than once before you decide.
- You can ask hard questions without being made to feel small.
- Money, if any, is clear and modest, and nobody pressures you to give.
Signs to step back
- Pressure to decide, give money or sign up quickly.
- Being asked to cut off family or friends.
- Promises of cures or guaranteed results.
- Being told not to see a doctor.
- Secrecy about who runs the place or where the money goes.
- Anything that makes you feel unsafe. Trust that feeling and leave.
If you are struggling
Meditation is not a replacement for medical care. If you are in distress, please speak to a doctor or a counsellor first, and tell any teacher you choose.
A last word
I am a student, not a teacher. Go and meet someone who is.
← Spirituality