How do I know which course is for me?

Broadly speaking if you are looking for an intensive Mindfulness course then any of the courses would be appropriate. If you are living with pain or illness then the Breathworks health course is best designed to meet your needs.  If you are looking to find more creative ways of addressing stress or anxiety then either the mindfulness-based stress course or either of the Breathworks courses would be a great option. Still not sure? Do feel free to contact us (info@birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk) and we will be happy to talk it through with you.

 

What is expected of me during the 8-week course?

All our 8-week mindfulness courses encourage you to do daily home practice which includes short meditation, reading and explorations of mindfulness in daily life. This is really important as it will help you establish mindfulness in your daily life and gain the most benefit from the course. CDs and workbooks are provided to help guide you with the home practice element of the course.

 

Do I need to attend every session during the course?

Of course we encourage you to attend every session as this will enable you to get the most out of the course, but in our experience it is usual for most people to miss one or two sessions during a course and this doesn’t cause any problems. However, it is essential that you attend week one of the course as this session covers vital foundation material and introductions and we don’t let people join a course if they know in advance that they are going to miss this first session.

 

Do I need to do any preparation before the course?

Before starting the Breathworks courses we ask you to buy a copy of the book Mindfulness for Health by Vidyamala Burch and Danny Penman and read the preparatory chapters 1-3 before the course. If you are not able to do that, don’t worry – you can buy a copy of the book in our bookshop when the course starts.

 

How accessible is the building?

We welcome everyone and have tried to modernise our facilities to make them accessible to people with disabilities. We have:

  • Some off-street parking spaces near the front door (please let us know in advance if you will need one of these);
  • Ramp access from the forecourt to the front door;
  • Easy access to the main Shrine Room on the ground floor
  • Disabled-friendly toilet and shower on the ground floor;
  • Platform lift from ground-floor level to the cafe area;
  • Platform on the steps leading to rooms at the rear of the Buddhist Centre.
  • Hearing assistance system for hearing-aid users.

If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility then please contact us.

 

Is there parking at the Centre?

We have a few parking spaces outside which are often in high demand but if we know in advance that you have a specific need for a parking space we will do our best to reserve one for you (and this normally works out fine). Otherwise the streets around us have free parking, though we ask that you are respectful of our neighbours’ needs.

 

Do I need to bring anything with me?

Just yourself! All meditation equipment is provided and a range of hot and cold drinks is freely available. We’d suggest you wear comfortable clothes.

 

Do I need to show evidence that I’m on benefits or a pension if I’m paying the unwaged rate?

No, we trust you pay the rate that is appropriate for you.

 

Are the courses secular? I notice the courses are at a Buddhist Centre, so do I need to be a Buddhist to attend?

The courses are secular and do not teach Buddhism. They are open to everyone and respectful of all faiths and beliefs.

 

What happens if I drop out or need to cancel my booking? Can I get a refund?

If you cancel your place before the course starts:

  • up to 7 days before the event you will receive a refund of any course fees paid, less a £15 admin fee, or you can transfer your booking to another course.
  • within 7 days of the start date we cannot refund any of the fees paid. We will transfer your booking to the next course if you are cancelling for a medical or other genuine reason.

Once you have started the course we do not offer any refunds of the fees paid. If you start the course and need to drop out during the first 2 sessions for a medical or other genuine reason we will transfer your booking to the next available course. After week 2 we do not offer any refunds or transfer places.

 

What happens after the course?

After the course there are sessions to help you keep you mindfulness practice alive and going deeper.  You can read more here .