This has been asked a while ago but I cant find up to date information about a meditation class.

Does anybody know, is it possible to attend a regular meditation class in English in Zurich? I can only find Yoga with a regular class.

Maybe its not possible to attend a class (I've found a lot about workshops but don't want that, needs to be near by), Ive never done this before so I'm just trying to find out.

Many thanks for your help

OOh yeah I'd be keen for that too...

I'll have a squizz tomorrow any post it if I find anything...

Ohmmmmmm

- 'The classes available are Yoga Basics (for Beginners), All levels (Vinyasa style), Lunch Flow (one hour format) and Meditation. The lessons are taught primarily in English and partially in German.'
Leela Yoga
Apollostrasse 8
8032 Zürich
Tel. 043 818 51 31
www.leelayoga.ch

- Mandala Yoga
Staffelstrasse 8
8045 Zürich
info@mandalayoga.ch Tel. 044 450 20 11
www.mandalayoga.ch/english.html

If these classes are not what you're after you may ask 'Kadampa Meditationszentrum Schweiz', Tel. 044 461 33 88 to point you in the right direction.

ANy idea if there are any classes in Basel? In English I mean...have googled it and all I get is German ...obviously!

Thanks a lot

I've downloaded a couple of apps on my iPhone from meditation oasis and some others. Not a class but have really been helpful with regular practice. Use them during chemotherapy. Also used one while I was having a picc line installed. Really helpful. Maybe not what you're looking for but find them helpful for me.

http://www.rigpa.ch/index.php/en/cou...near-you/basel

I've been a sangha member of Rigpa Basel for nearly 10 years. I can say that the mediation and teachings I've received during this time have at times kept me sane!

They have a drop in free meditation group on Tuesday evenings - just show up at 7pm. The meditation is led by good friends of mine, all of whom speak English (one of whom is Scottish). They will take great care that everything you need is translated into English and the teachings you receive come from the lama (author of the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying) and these teachings are in English.

I've found though that over the years - it's been a great way to actually learn German and gain deep friendships with people living here who I otherwise might never have met.

You're able to stay and do sitting practice and learn all about the different types of meditation (Shamata and Vipshayana) and if you wish to pursue the Buddhist path further, Rigpa offer one of the best structured programmes of study in the world. (according several lamas I've transcribed for)

You can study all of the Mahayana teachings on mind training - have access to quite simply the best of the best study materials and resources, taken from the most knowledgeable lama's of our time, including HH Dalai Lama, Sogyal Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khytense Rinpoche. (I've spent hours over the years transcribing some of these teachings and they are wonderful) - progressing if you wish to Vajrayana and all teachings are presented in the spirit of Dzogchen (the highest level of non-dual teachings on the path)

How far you go and what you wish to do is completely up to you. Rigpa is Rime - meaning that it's very open and accepting of other traditions, which if you want to really follow the Buddhist path I feel is pretty important.

In Buddhism you are often 'drawn' to a particular path - and that gut feeling is important to follow. Some people are drawn to Zen teachings and way of sitting, others are drawn much more to Theravadan teachings and way of sitting (there are some excellent centres around Switzerland and an amazing Theravadan monestry and retreat centre in Kandersteg)

http://dharmaseed.org/about/us/

For people who can't get to centres here are some useful links. Above a link to Dharma seed - you can download hundreds of free podcasts. The dharma is presented primarily from a Theravadan standpoint, some excellent teachings.

http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Welco...HIslZTRu.app01

http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/ca...odcast/#bottom

The above link takes you to sounds true a wonderful website where you can also download free podcasts. This is not primarily Buddhist - but includes some good Buddist teachers like Reggie Ray in the states. Also some really wonderful teachings from monks from the contemplative Christian traditions.

http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/

The above link leads to pema chodran's site. She is quite simply one of the best, if not the best Western teacher of Buddhism. She has a warm, and really amazing way of communicating the teachings. I've bought several of her audio books - worth their weight in gold!

http://personallifemedia.com/podcast...buddhist-geeks

The above leads to "Buddhist Geeks" some interesting podcasts there!


http://whatmeditationreallyis.com/in...g-en/home-blog

And the above is a great blog on what mediation really is.


http://www.zamstore.com/

Finally the Rigpa Zam store where you can purchase some great teachings.


Hope that's helpful to those who cannot physically get to an English Speaking group!

Have a look at the meditation meetup group in Zurich. Santi is a really nice guy, and there are other members of EF who attend the sessions.

Edit: oops... I just saw that the OP posted in 2010 - I guess my reply was too late, but I hope that it might help others in the future.

Hello

I would recommend ART OF LIVING

For Details contact : www.artofliving.org

They have teachers in Zurich Area

If you want to now more about them , see their Videos in You Tube

As youmost probably realised there are so very many diferent types of meditation available. I guess you have to sift through most of them to find out what suits you and your needs...........youtube is excellent for that!

My first experience with meditation was the Brahma Kumaris,
http://www.bkwsu.org/switzerland/ind...et_language=en

I feel they are a good introduction to mditation, they are Hindu based. Therefore their philosophy appealed to me.

all the luck, and congrats on taking your first steps on your soul journey!

I meditate but have never been to classes, I think that it is something that people would do naturally if they weren't bombarded with a busy world. It is like being in the Zone. I am convinced that you can change brainwave activity through meditation, three have been some fascinating studies on Zen Buddhist monks to support this. Basically you have to find out how to access your own mind, by listening to it and allowing it to work in harmony. A group meditation doesn't help me do that, I am too conscious of other people in the group and what is expected of me- they move shuffle, cough. etc.

One of the best times for me is when I wake in the morning. I just lie there an extra ten minutes with my eyes closed and allow myself to listen to my body or mind. A bit like putting my mind on autoplay reformatting for the day

However, I would suggest that before beginning meditation that you get a general health check-up, just to rule out anything that may get in the way of meditating; like a hormone imbalance, low or high blood pressure, lack of sleep, insomnia etc.
Not that meditating won't help these, but it just helps to know what you are coping with and how to address it.

Here is something that I just enjoyed watching.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1799164029

I have just stumbled across this thread and although I am in Lausanne just wanted to say that I am delivering some workshops and want to set up a weekly practice group near the station in Lausanne.

I am a Mindfulness Meditation teacher and can offer 1:1 or group work for beginners or for people interested in developing and embedding their practice.

Cultivating a sense of mindfulness allows you to be present in every moment and is a mental state of openness, awareness and focus.
A state of mindfulness frees us from life’s entanglements. From getting too caught up in emotions, reactions and judgments and helps us to stay present.

Whatever is going on, whether we are working, running or enjoying a meal, we can be aware of what is going on. Not overburdened with worries or dreams of the future, not full of regret or longing for the past, just experiencing the present moment in all its fullness. Mindfulness meditation is also known as insight because the intention is to gain insight as to the true nature of reality.

Please PM me if you are interested and I'll give you the details.

oh, it is a pity that you are all the way in Lausanne!

Hello ,
I'm new to the forum and actually joined yesterday while trying to find people on the net interested in meditation classes in English either in the Zurich region or in Toggenburg.

I am in contact with a teacher in Zurich (in the tibetan Bon tradition of Dzogchen ) who is willing to give small classes in English in Zurich or travel if the numbers are there . I am trying to get a small group together to pursue either option.

I have been meditating for about five years. I am particularly interested in Dzogchen which is a practice common to the Bon and nyingpa traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. It is both simple and profound and is regarded as the highest,most direct,and most effective method but also one that requires great commitment. Luckily it includes meditation practices that can be used by anyone regardless of experience. These include yoga-like practices and mindful or insight practices
( similar to the ones described in earlier posts in this tread)
Having said that I am also interested in other meditation methods, other Buddhist traditions, and ,indeed, other spiritual traditions... . also science and philosophy in general. I favour open-mindedness and a form of practice that can accommodate a rational attitude and an acceptance of science and a secularist mindset.I also believe that unbroken linages in various traditions offer the best path for anyone interested in spiritual practice, since in these traditions we have direct access to thousands of years of method and wisdom.

The difficulty with this is that it involves an inevitable tension between a modern or western outlook and the traditional religious and cultural contexts in which the knowledge and method is embedded. So difficulty is inevitable! But what an adventure!

For anyone interested you can find information on dzogchen in general by just an ordinary search. Although these teachings have been almost unknown, and often kept secret, for hundreds of years there is now a massive amount on the net and many genuine Lamas who teach them.

For information on the Bon tradition and on the teacher I would like to practice with you can click on the link below. My teachers name is Ann_maria Jacob Murphy and she teaches in the Zurich region. My advice to anyone approaching a spiritual tradition for the first time is to be both sceptical and respectful of the authenticity of the tradition ( NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL BULLSHIT DETECTOR BY YOUR SIDE!)
http://www.garudaswitzerland.org/

You know that copying and pasting the same advert all over the forum is considered spamming, right?

And you know that people who spam get banned, yes?

Just sayin', like.

Hello Dougal
Well, firstly, thanks for the warning.
As you are probably aware I am new to this. I think I made it clear in my post that I am trying to contact like minded English speakers for a specific purpose, but not only that. I went to some pains to try and explain exactly what I was about. I think any fair-minded person will see that I am involved in a bit of self-help and not in anything commercial. I dont think the word advertisement applies. Maybe you are simply referring to the act of coping and pasting my own post. That was simply to save time. If that breaks the rules I hope I will be informed by a moderator as soon as possible.
Your post smacks of a attitude close to mild paranoia. Yuk! Hope its not an indicator of things to come! I was really glad to have found a place where I could contact people in the real world and do things! ...not simply hang out in virtual land . although I find that interesting too. Also find your photo very intriguing... a bit old fashioned but mysteriously decadent... wouldn't happen to be interested in meditation would you. There is a Tibetan Lama or two with much the same devil may care attitude you seem to exude...anyway if big brother is listening I didn't mean it and please warn me if I broke a rule

I only gave you the warning because you appear to have made a genuine mistake and not be the normal kind of spammer. I'd hate to see you get banned when you could offer/get so much from the forum in the future.

No paranoia there, old chap.

I've just looked again at your photo Dougals breakfast. Maybe its not really you. It looks remarkably like an American actor whose name I cant seem to remember at the moment. Anyway...