Illustration by Justin Kamerer
Unleashing our deepest potential through embodiment and community
A weekly drop-in practice space open to all, at any level of meditation or dharma experience and practice. Led by Singhashri and Balajit.
Safe and Sound: Exploring the roots of just sitting practice
Jan 21st - Feb 25th (6 weeks)
When Sangharakshita was asked how one should practice Just Sitting he responded, “you just sit.”
The simplicity of this response points to the radical nature of this practice. Just sitting is an invitation to learn to trust in awareness more and more deeply as our natural state. This awareness is imbued with all the qualities we deeply long for - a boundless openness, ever-present clarity, and deep, deep sensitivity.
On this course, we’ll explore different ways to support our bodies and minds to open to the limitless potential of our deepest nature and inherent qualities like love, sensitivity, and connection — so desperately needed in our world.
Upcoming Courses
Somatic Going for Refuge
Mar 11 - Apr 15 (6 weeks)
What does it mean to go for refuge with the whole of ourselves - body, speech and mind? Join us for an exploration of how an embodied and relational approach to practice supports a deepening faith in our own true nature and commitment to the path and each other. How might this deepening faith and commitment impact how we act in the world?
May 6 - June 17 (6 weeks - no class May 20th) - Buddha: The body of dignity
July and August - BREAK (no class)
Sept 2 - Oct 7 (6 weeks) - Sangha: The body of belonging
Nov 4 - Dec 9 (6 weeks) - Dharma: The body of truth
Class format
The evenings usually go something like this. Once you register, you’ll get a weekly email with the plan for that evening. Come along when you can, stay for as long as you’re able, leave anytime.
7:00-7:05pm welcome and arriving
7:05-7:15pm arriving practice
7:15-7:45pm teaching input
7:45-8:00pm reflection on teachings individually and/or in breakout groups
8:00-8:10pm break
8:10-8:45pm meditation and enquiry
For other parts of the world, please use this handy time zone converter:
Dana
This class is offered on a dana (donations) basis. Please give if you can, but only if you can. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Suggested donation: £5-£10/class and £30-60/course
All donations support the activities of the Radical Embrace, carried out by Singhashri as a self-employed dharma teacher.
Donations can be made on the giving page, via PayPal at paypal.me/radicalembrace or by bank transfer. Please request bank details by emailing me at singhashri@radicalembrace.org.
Class Recordings
Here you’ll find a sampling recordings from past classes. Most classes follow a similar schedule including an arriving practice, mini-talks and a led meditation. Recordings may include background noise and begin and end abruptly.
More recordings can be found on Insight Timer.
Singhashri shares her practice of tonglen (witnessing suffering in the clear light of awareness where it is free to self-liberate) in light of the pandemic and current efforts towards greater racial justice.
A bit more on how tonglen can be practiced receptively, as a radical act of bearing witness when our natural inclination is to turn away.
Singhashri and Balajit share their personal explorations of the power of the imagination to support us in our efforts towards liberation.
Balajit and Singhashri share personal reflections on the practice of receiving blessings, particularly from other people in our lives. Talks followed by a led practice.
An introduction to the first four elements - earth, air, fire and water - and how practicing with them can support our efforts towards greater climate and social justice.
Continuing with the theme of the elements, we go more deeply into how we might relate to and practice with the space element.
A led meditation supporting an opening to and receiving of the space element.
Input and a led practice exploration our potential to awaken out of divided consciousness and the pain of “othering” into something much more free and expansive.
A rich exploration of the Lojong saying “Don’t be so predictable” that invites us to break out of conscious and unconscious habits of conformity into something much more spontaneous and free, and the implications of doing so for the liberation of ourselves, others and the world.