Meditation Courses, Retreats & Events
Emptiness – The Ultimate Kindness ~ Sat 2nd May
Liberate yourself from the iron chains of self-grasping
with Resident Teacher, Kadam John McBretney Saturday 2nd May, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Our principal and root delusion is self-grasping ignorance – an inner demon that always abides at our heart continually destroying our mental peace and happiness. Only by developing wisdom realizing emptiness – ultimate truth – can we free ourself and others permanently from self-grasping, the source of all the suffering in the world. Due to the kindness of emptiness we can transform ourself quickly into a pure, enlightened being, continually enjoying a completely pure world with the union of great bliss and emptiness.
Venue: Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre 13 Woodstock Road, London NW11 8ESTickets: £35 (Includes lunch)
Special Fasting & Purification Retreat ~ Sat 18 Apr and Sun 19 Apr
In conjunction with 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara
Sat 18 Apr – Sun 19 Apr 2020
This special fasting and purification practice is very powerful for purifying negative karma of body, speech, and mind, and for pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred. It is also a special method for receiving blessings and improving our experience of love, compassion, and bodhichitta. Resident Teacher, Kadam John McBretney, will grant precepts on both days at the centre at 6.30am.
Retreat sessions
- Mahayana Precepts: 6.30am – 7.15am*
- Session 1: 8.00am – 9.15am
- Session 2: 10.30am – 11.45am
- Session 3: 3.30pm – 4.45pm
- at 18 Apr and Sun 19 Apr: Wishfulfilling Jewel prayers 12.00 – 12.45pm
Prices £16 for the whole weekend / £8 a day / £3 a session
All sessions are free for members
Meditations for a Clear Mind ~ Sat 13 June
At Heruka KMC, 10am – 1pm
Enjoy a short break from daily life and learn some very beneficial meditations on this half-day retreat. The meditations that are taught can be practised by anyone and with regular practice they help us to experience mental clarity and inner peace by meditating on our mind itself. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is welcome.
Tickets: £25 (Includes refreshments) | Free for members
Meditations for Relaxation ~ Sat 25 April
At Heruka KMC, 10am – 1pm
On this short guided retreat you will learn three simple meditations to make your mind calm and peaceful. We know that when the mind is not peaceful, it is very difficult to be happy and relaxed – even if we are living in the very best conditions. When our mind is peaceful, we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we experience happiness and relaxation.This retreat is suitable for everyone. Everyone is welcome.
Tickets: £25 (Includes refreshments) | Free for members
Healing Our Mind through Meditation ~ Fri 3 April – Sun 5 April
Vajrasattva Purification Retreat
Fri 3 April – Sun 5 April
Buddha taught that everything is created by mind. Just as our dream world is created by our subtle, dream mind, so our waking world is created by our gross, waking mind. The quality of our world depends on the quality of our mind. By purifying and healing our mind with the most powerful purification practice – the practice of Vajrasattva following the Oral Instructions – we can purify our impure mind and come to experience everything as uncontaminated with the blissful joy of a pure mind.
Everyone is welcome to come to one or more of the following daily sessions:
Friday
• Intro 7.15 to 8.45pm
Saturday
• Session 1: 9-10.15pm
• Session 2: 11-12.15pm
• WFJ puja (optional): 12.30-1.15pm
• Session 3: 3-4.15pm
• Session 4: 5-6.30pm
Sunday
• Session 1: 9-10.15pm
• Session 2: 11-12.30pmPrices
Whole retreat £25, Introduction £8, Each session £4
All sessions are free for members
Vegetarian lunch £2.50 (members and non-members), book at the CentreComfortable shared, single and ensuite rooms may be available at Heruka KMC during this retreat. For more information and availability please email Droljang on admin@meditateinlondon.org or call 0208 455 7563.
Wake Up Smiling ~ Sat 14 March
At Heruka KMC with Kadam John McBretney, 10am – 1pm
Wouldn’t it be great if we could simply choose not to be unhappy? On this course we can learn how to make a determined choice to follow thoughts and ideas that lead to happiness, and learn how not to just be led by strong negative emotional habits. In this way we can wake up with happiness everyday and know that we can always do this! Everyone is welcome.
Tickets: £25 (Includes refreshments) | Free for members
Amitayus Retreat ~ Sat 1 Feb – Sun 2 Feb
With Kadam John McBretney at Heruka KMC
Sat 1 Feb – Sun 2 Feb
Kadam John will guide the meditation practice of the Yoga of Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of Long Life. This beautiful practice helps us to lengthen our own and others’ lifespan and increase our wisdom and good fortune. With this practice, we can find meaning and happiness in our busy daily lives. It is traditional to engage in this practice early each year for the auspiciousness of the whole year. Each session consists of chanted prayers, meditations and silent mantra recitation.
Long life pills that have been blessed throughout the retreat will be distributed after the last session on the last day.
Everyone is welcome to come to one or more of the following daily sessions:
• Session 1: 10.00 – 11.15am • Session 2: 11.45am – 1.00pm • Session 3: 2.15 – 3.30pm
Prices £16 for the whole week / £8 a day / £3 a session
All sessions are free for members
Goodge Street (Thu evening)

New Year, New You
Learn Positive Thinking and Meditation
We often think in ways that make us anxious and depressed, and that keep us stuck in unhealthy habits. By simply changing our mind, learning to think in more beneficial and constructive ways, we can find real freedom and happiness, have a positive influence on others, and achieve even the highest spiritual goals.
Thursdays 7.30 – 8.30pm
- Week 1 (23 Jan)
- Week 2 (30 Jan)
- Week 3 (6 Feb)
- Week 4 (13 Feb)Winchmore Hill (Thu evening)

New Year, New You
Learn Positive Thinking and Meditation
We often think in ways that make us anxious and depressed, and that keep us stuck in unhealthy habits. By simply changing our mind, learning to think in more beneficial and constructive ways, we can find real freedom and happiness, have a positive influence on others, and achieve even the highest spiritual goals.
Thursdays 7 – 8.30pm
- Week 1 (23 Jan)
- Week 2 (30 Jan)
- Week 3 (6 Feb)
- Week 4 (13 Feb)St Albans (Thu evening)

New Year, New You
Learn Positive Thinking and Meditation
We often think in ways that make us anxious and depressed, and that keep us stuck in unhealthy habits. By simply changing our mind, learning to think in more beneficial and constructive ways, we can find real freedom and happiness, have a positive influence on others, and achieve even the highest spiritual goals.
Thursdays 7.30 – 9pm
- Week 1 (23 Jan)
- Week 2 (30 Jan)
- Week 3 (6 Feb)
- Week 4 (13 Feb)


“Practical meditation guidance in a peaceful space. Pretty garden, friendly faces and tasty food at the weekend courses!”
Emily Danby

“A true refuge in the heart of London—peaceful, welcoming, and deeply nourishing. The meditation classes and weekend courses offer practical wisdom you can easily apply in daily life, and the community is warm and supportive. Plus, the food is fantastic, and the conversations are always meaningful!”
Shailee Noronha

“Heruka Centre ticks all the boxes. Meditation, peaceful environment, lovely garden, warm kind people, great food and if you want more they do day course and retreats. Highly recommended.”
Andy Levy
FAQs about meditation courses

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
Enjoy weekly and weekend classes and courses with memberships from £29 a month.
Everyone is welcome
"Happiness is a part of the mind that experiences inner peace, or peace of mind, so the real source of happiness must lie within the mind, not in external conditions."
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso