"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" 

Marcel Proust

I am interested in hosting ongoing drop-in sessions for practitioners who have or would like to have a regular meditation practice, and who feel they could benefit from ongoing drop-in group sessions.

 When: Sunday Evenings from March 30th 2025. 8 - 9 p.m. (Irish Time) until 27th April 

Online via Zoom. Zoom link to be posted here on Sundays

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88001944793?pwd=Zl7mjaIPI6blFePRU0ROrUyfPg29iS.1

Meeting ID: 880 0194 4793

Passcode: 984343

(unless otherwise cancelled. If I can't make a particular Sunday I will mention it here)

A typical session will consist of a short reflection and/or reading, some meditation(s), and space for sharing.

I expect the format to evolve over time. 

These sessions are offered freely. 

What is Insight Meditation?

Insight Meditation invites us to see things differently. It facilitates a paradigm shift of the Heart.  It involves the opening of eyes to see deeply into the heart of experience. And this seeing unburdens our being, it leaves us travelling lighter. 

 So for example, a typical practice in the Buddhist tradition is to attend to the changeable, dynamic, uncertain aspect of experience. Through ongoing and repeated application of deep attention to this quality of change the grasping and resistance towards the flow of life can soften and dissolve. The fruit of this practice is less suffering in the face of change and impermanence. This is just one example. There are many others in the Buddhist tradition.    

Come and See! 

A Morning of Insight Meditation 

Date & Time: Sunday 11th May 9.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: Collis Sandes House, Tralee, Co.Kerry

For Whom: Suitable for  people with an interest in mindfulness meditation or other forms of meditation and who wish to dedicate a full morning period to deepening their experience. 

 There will be guidance given.  

What will the morning feature? Periods of reflections & teaching. Sitting meditation. Standing meditation, Walking meditation.  Maybe some gentle mindful movements. Some space for sharing and responses.  It may also feature some listening/speaking meditation in pairs.   I tend to play things by ear depending on the group.  Scripts usually end up out the window anyway! 

See below for a description of insight meditation.

What to bring: There will be seating, but if you are used to sitting on the floor, best to bring a cushion(s), mat, shawl, meditation stool etc.. 

Atmosphere: We will switch our phones off for the morning to allow a deeper immersion in the practice. 

Cost: The morning is offered on a donation basis which can be offered on the day or afterwards. This practice is referred to as dana in the traditions I have practiced in. You can read more about that here.  There will be a bowl for cash donations on the day or online donations can be made on the day or afterwards.. 

How to Register? 

Please fill out this brief registration form to book a place. 

Any questions please contact me. 

Hope to see you there

Pádraig

What is Insight Meditation?

Insight meditation generally refers to a range of meditation practices drawn from the Buddhist traditions but does not require one to formally be a Buddhist. The only conversion required is the conversion from the path of suffering to the path of peace. 

It involves sustaining a curious and caring attention to our moment-to-moment experience enabling us to shift perspective from a limiting view to a view of open, embodied spaciousness. 

We may start with a focused attention on the breath before opening to the broad field of experience including bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts and sounds.   As our restless minds settle down somewhat - a gradual process requiring patience,  we can encounter a sense of clarity, ease, and insight into life.   Like the sun breaking through the clouds, the light of wisdom and love, among other wonderful qualities, can dawn on us. 

Althought it is common to encounter difficulties such as restlessness, wandering mind, lethargy etc... this practice is not beyond any of us. 

We can put ourselves in the path of aware presence and let our lives be illuminated. 

 I have been practicing in this way for over 20 years and continue to be struck by the quiet beauty of the practice. 

Details here