The Confidence to Change: A New Year Retreat

The Confidence to Change: A New Year Retreat

Turning My Life in the Direction of Happiness Through Meditation with KMC Kent’s Principal Teacher James Baskerville

 

When: Sat 24th January 2026, 10am to 4.00pm

Venue: Goldsmid Hall, Tudeley Road, Tudeley, Tonbridge TN11 0NW

 

The New Year is a time to begin anew — a chance to reflect, reset, and move our life in a more positive and meaningful direction. We all wish to become stronger, more peaceful, and more joyful, but lasting change can only come from transforming our own mind.

Through Buddha’s teachings and meditation, we can discover a deep inner resilience — a strength that remains steady even when life feels uncertain. By learning to let go of negative habits of mind such as fear, self-doubt, and resentment, we open the door to confidence, kindness, and joy. These inner qualities empower us to face challenges with patience and to respond to life with wisdom and compassion.

In this day’s retreat, James will guide us through practical meditations on Buddha’s psychology of transformation. We will explore how to nurture mental strength, develop a resilient heart, and create the inner conditions for genuine happiness. With these tools, we can step into the new year with clarity, purpose, and joy — becoming the best version of ourselves, and bringing strength and inspiration to those around us.

 
 
 

The Teacher

This special weekend retreat will be led by James Baskerville, Principle Teacher of KMC Kent.

James has been practising and teaching Kadampa Buddhism for over twenty years and has engaged in extensive meditation retreats, including silent retreat. He is especially known for his clarity, humour and inspirational presentation of Buddha’s teachings.

Details

Date:

Sat 24 January 2026

Time:

10am to 4pm

Cost:

Please see below

Venue

Location:

Goldsmid Hall,
Tudeley Road,
Tudeley,
Tonbridge
TN11 0NW

Phone:

07486466765

Email:

info@meditateinkent.com

SCHEDULE

Registration: 09.40am

Session one: 10.00am – 11.15am

Break: 11.15am – 11.45am

Session two: 11.45am – 1.00pm

Lunch : 1pm -2.30pm

Session 3&4 : 2.30pm to 4pm (will include Q & A and teachings and a concluding meditation)

Cost & Booking

This full-day course is open to everyone and will be held in the beautiful Goldsmid Hall.

Delicious Vegetarian lunch will be provided (email info@meditateinkent.com with any questions about allergies/food intolerance).

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.

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