Enjoy the benefits of meditation
The Ham Meditation Group meet at The Annex of Ham Library monthly on Monday evenings from 8pm till 9.15pm.
People from all spiritual paths or no paths are welcome. There is no need to have meditated before.
Meditating in a group offers a peaceful space to connect with others. Breathing and relaxation practices can calm the mind, improve focus, and help us respond to challenges with clarity and care. By nurturing mindfulness in daily life, we can contribute to a more peaceful, fair, and sustainable world.
A new look for 2026!
Our first session of 2026 will be on Monday 5th January.
We will meet on a monthly basis on the first Monday of the month, or the second Monday after a bank holiday.
The environment
We’ll be meeting in the Ham Library annex as usual. Chairs will be available, and we’ll also have a rug out for anyone who prefers sitting on the floor. Feel free to bring cushions, yoga mats, blankets or anything else that makes you comfortable. We just ask that shoes are removed on the rug — socks and slippers are absolutely fine.
The structure
The evening will include a welcome introduction, a guided meditation, time for mindful activities, and some shared reflection. We’ll then move into a non-verbal meditation with gentle background music or a sound bath, and close with a short loving-kindness meditation.
We’ll begin promptly at 8pm and finish by 9:15pm.
What are Mindful Activities?
This part of the evening is completely personal. You’re invited to bring along any activity that helps you feel calm and present — colouring books, pens or pencils, knitting or crochet, a book to read, crafting, Lego, or simply sitting quietly or having a gentle chat. The possibilities are endless!
Please come with whatever you need for the activity you choose.
What is Sharing?
This is a gentle, optional moment to speak if you’d like to. It’s a safe space where you can share anything that feels meaningful — how you’re feeling that evening, something you’ve noticed, or any updates or thoughts that matter to you.
Donations
The group is run entirely by volunteers, and our only expense is the venue hire. To help cover this cost, we kindly ask for donations. A suggested contribution is £5 per session, which can be given in cash on the night—no need to book in advance. Online donation details are also available.
Your support is essential and helps us keep this welcoming community space going.
The benefits of practicing in a group
The Fertile Soil of Sangha, Thich Nhat Hanh on the importance of community.
"A good community is needed to help us resist the unwholesome ways of our time. Mindful living protects us and helps us go in the direction of peace. With the support of friends in the practice, peace has a chance."
https://tricycle.org/magazine/fertile-soil-sangha/
The Buddha himself, again and again, stressed the value of spiritual friendship as a support for the Buddhist path throughout the entire course of its practice.
“Spiritual friendship is not half the spiritual life. It’s the entire spiritual life!”
https://bodhimonastery.org/spiritual-friendship.html
Join our mailing list
Please join our mailing list to receive a fortnightly reminder of the sessions and related information.
For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a therapeutic group.
With some mental health issues, ie depression, severe anxiety, schizophrenia it may not be helpful to engage in meditation.
Please discuss this with your GP before coming to the classes.
Our classes have a minimum age limit of 16.