Being a Friend of the World: A Special Christmas Course
- Saturday 12 December
- 14:00 - 17:00
- Venue: Friends Meeting House, 6 The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS
- Cost: £25 General Admission | £20 Low Income | Free for Members & Full time Students
At Christmas, there is often a natural softening in the heart—a wish to be kinder, more open, more connected to others. In the midst of this, we can also pause and reflect on something deeper: how to carry that same quality of heart into everyday life, not just as a seasonal feeling, but as a steady way of being.
Much of the time, we are guided by a quiet focus on ourselves—our concerns, our needs, our plans. Yet through simple Buddhist wisdom and meditation, we can begin to loosen this grip and discover a more expansive way of relating to life—one grounded in care, patience, and genuine concern for others.
In this half-day Christmas course, Chelvi guides us through practical teachings and meditations that help shift our attention outward, towards connection rather than self-absorption. As we do, something begins to change: life feels less heavy, less confined, and more open.
From a Buddhist perspective, this movement of mind is known as the bodhisattva path—a gradual turning towards living with kindness, clarity, and the wish to benefit others. It is not abstract or distant, but something we can begin to experience immediately in how we think, speak, and respond in daily life.
Held in the reflective spirit of Christmas, this course offers a simple invitation: to step back from ourselves for a moment, and discover the quiet joy of becoming more of a friend to the world.
The Teacher
This half day course will be led by senior Kadampa Buddhist teacher Chelvi Mailvaganan.
Chelvi has been a Kadampa Buddhist for over 22 years. She is a mother and social worker, specialising in end of life care.
Meditation has helped transform and heal many aspects of Chelvi’s life. She teaches from her own experience and wealth of knowledge, emphasising how to apply Buddhist methods to everyday life with insight and clarity.
Details
Date:
Saturday 12 December 2026
Time:
2pm to 5pm
Cost:
£25 Admission | £20 low income | Free for Members & Full time students
Venue
Location:
Friends Meeting House, 6 The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS
Phone:
07486 466765
Email:
info@meditateinkent.com
SCHEDULE
Registration | 1.40pm
Session one | 2pm – 3.15pm
Break | 3.15pm – 3.45pm
Session two | 3.45pm – 5.00pm
Cost & Booking
-
General: £25
Low Income Concession: £20
Members & Full Time Students: FREE
Light refreshments will be provided.
Everyone Welcome! Book your place online today.
FAQs
Our classes are for everyone who is interested in learning how to meditate, regardless of background or belief. They are designed to give a broad introduction to Buddhist meditation, teachings, and practice. Everyone is invited to use whichever aspects of the teachings they find helpful.
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind.
No. Everyone is welcome, including beginners. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.
No special clothing is required, come as you are.
No. The classes focus on meditation and teachings alone. You can choose to sit on a chair or meditation cushion.
We are a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, no-one receives a salary. The funds we receive are used to pay for our venues and operating expenses. Although we charge for classes we also offer low-income rates and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds.
What People Are Saying
