Welcome to the Newcastle Serene Reflection Meditation Group Website

Introduction to the Group

A regular meditation practice is the essential foundation of our training as Soto Zen Buddhists. However it can seem that the demands and distractions of daily life can compete too strongly with the need to find time to just sit quietly and meditate each day. For people meditating on their own at home this can be discouraging and it can become difficult to appreciate the need to find that time to meditate, and maintain the commitment required.

It helps greatly to meditate regularly with a group. Meditating with others can seem much easier than meditating alone, and the chance to talk with other practicing Buddhists brings a wider persective on what your own training means for you. In this way regular contact with a group can really help you to keep going with your practice.

Our evenings usually follow the same format. We start at 7.30pm with a short service consisting of an incense offering and a scripture recitation. We then meditate for twenty minutes, followed by five minutes of walking meditation, then do a further twenty minutes of meditation, finishing with a short litany recitation.

The meditation is normally finished by 8.45pm, at which time some people leave early, others stay longer to talk over a cup of tea and biscuits, finishing at around 9.45pm. Once a month we listen to a taped lecture given by one of the monks at Throssel Hole.

We also have a monk allocated to us from Throssel: Rev. Master Adelin Bryceson. Rev. Adelin visits once every other month to meditate with us and lead us in an informal discussion. We have the opportunity to ask any questions that are currently 'alive' for us which is a great opportunity.

In addition we sometimes arrange day retreats and other events which are described in our quarterly calendar, and group members regularly visit Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey for Festival Sundays, and Meditation Sundays, as well as longer retreats. Transport to Throssel can be shared. See News and Events for more details.

Meeting Times and Location

We meet in the Church of Divine Unity, Ellison Place, Newcastle. This is next to Mea House and close to the Southern edge of the University of Northumbria's buildings. See here for a map. If coming by metro the church is within easy walking distance of Monument, Haymarket, and Manors metro stations. There are many buses into the city centre within easy walking distance of the church. If coming by car leave the central motorway at the Manors roundabout, signposted A193 and City Centre, take the city centre exit then take the first right turn into the car park next to Mea House, before you reach John Dobson Street. Parking is free after 6.00pm. Enter by the main door at the front of the church. Our room is at the back of the main church hall, signed 'Meditation' from the entrance hall.

We now meet every Tuesday night at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.