Introduction to Meditation Course

Learn the basics of meditation through simple instruction and guided practice from a Buddhist Monk from the Thai Forest Tradition. This 5-week meditation course is designed to provide a clear and supportive introduction to the practice of meditation. Each session will include simple, step-by-step instruction in foundational techniques, followed by guided meditations to help you put them into practice in a calm and welcoming environment. The course also offers time at the end of each session for questions and discussion, allowing participants to deepen their understanding and share experiences You can either participate in-person or online Details: • Start Date: Thursday, October 29th, 2026 • Duration: 5 Weeks • Time: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Central Standard Time) • Location: Fort Rouge Leisure Centre, 625 Osborne Street (In the Games Room) • Cost: Free of Charge • Open to: Beginners and Experienced Meditators • Teacher: Ajahn Nando On-line Participants • For people wishing to participate online, please subscribe to receive the zoom link. Note: • Please arrive 5-10 mins before the start time and please enter quietly so as not to disturb other participants • If you are attending in-person, chairs will be provided, and a limited number of meditation cushions are available; participants are welcome to bring their own cushions if preferred. Schedule Week 1) Introduction and Basic Method of Meditation In this first session we will focus on understanding what meditation is and why we should meditate. We will also explore some of the foundational principals of meditation, including posture, right attitude and the basic method of meditation. Week 2) More Breath Meditation Techniques In this session, we will build on the foundation we established during our first meeting. Our focus will be on deepening our understanding of breath meditation and introducing additional techniques for practicing breath meditation. We will also learn techniques for working with a distracted mind. Week 3) Body Scanning In this session, we will explore using our bodies to help ground our mindfulness in the present moment and learn the technique of Body Scanning. Week 4) Introduction to Metta Meditation In this session, we will introduce Metta Meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation. We will explore what Metta is and the basic method for developing Metta. Week 5) Overcoming Difficulties in Meditation, Dealing with the Five Hinderances Through the course of our meditation practice, we will meet with unforeseen difficulties, chief of which are the Five Hinderances (Nivarana). In this session we will learn about the hinderances that prevent us from achieving success in our meditation practice and practical advice on how to overcome them.