Meditation from Zero — 8-Session Course at the Thai Temple in Utsunomiya

Tuesdays — won't you pause for a moment?

Daily life and work keep our minds racing. Before we know it, the day ends without our minds ever truly resting.

This meditation circle is a place to ease that tension and spend quiet time once a week. It's structured so you can join directly after work, in a way that's easy to keep up with.

Who it's for

• Your mind never stops racing
• You want to shift gears emotionally
• You want time to truly relax

The venue is a quiet temple in Utsunomiya, Tochigi. An experienced Thai monk guides the session in gentle Japanese. Even if it's your first time meditating, you can start with the basics — posture and breath — at your own pace.

Note: This is not a religious or recruiting event.

This is an 8-session course, but single-session attendance is welcome too. Through a different theme each time — a short talk and meditation — you'll gradually learn ways to settle the mind and body in everyday life.

Two time slots to choose from

Slot	Time	Who it's for
☀ Afternoon	14:30 – 16:00	For those who want to settle the mind in the quiet of the afternoon
🌙 Evening	19:30 – 21:00	For those who want to reset mind and head on the way home from work

Schedule (2026 · 8 sessions)

#	Date	Time
1	Tue, May 26	19:30 – 21:00
2	Tue, June 9	19:30 – 21:00
3	Tue, June 16	19:30 – 21:00
4	Tue, June 23	19:30 – 21:00
5	Tue, July 7	14:30 – 16:00 / 19:30 – 21:00
6	Tue, July 21	14:30 – 16:00 / 19:30 – 21:00
7	Tue, July 28	14:30 – 16:00 / 19:30 – 21:00
8	Tue, August 4	14:30 – 16:00 / 19:30 – 21:00

You can join part-way or leave early. Each session's theme is listed on the sign-up form.

About the course

A meditation course to step away from the busyness of work and daily life and bring the mind and body back into balance.

It's designed so beginners can start with ease — beginning with the basics of posture and breath, then progressing step by step through concentration, stability, and applying it to daily life. Across all 8 sessions, the goal is to make meditation not something "special," but a useful everyday habit. Each session pairs a themed talk with practice, and single-session attendance is welcome.

The 8-Session Program — Three Steps

1. Settle (Sessions 1–2) — Build the foundation

• Session 1 ｜ Posture & breath: the foundation of meditation
• Session 2 ｜ Concentration with words (mantra meditation)

Loosen body and mind, and create a state where you can practice with ease.

2. Use (Sessions 3–6) — Cultivate the mind and concentration

• Session 3 ｜ Working with the mind without being swept away by thoughts
• Session 4 ｜ Focus that flows (flow state)
• Session 5 ｜ The sense of returning to your center
• Session 6 ｜ What happens in the mind and brain during meditation

Deepen the core sensations and practices of meditation.

3. Integrate (Sessions 7–8) — Connect it to daily life

• Session 7 ｜ A peaceful mind and relationships
• Session 8 ｜ A meditation habit for daily life

Bring meditation into a form you can use naturally, day to day.

What a session looks like

1. Doors open / reception
2. Relaxation (herbal tea) — sip warm tea and gently let the day's tension unwind
3. Dhamma talk — practical, easy-to-follow "mind care" for daily life
4. Meditation — guided by the monk, at a comfortable pace
5. Closing

After the session there's an optional time for questions and casual conversation — ask the monk anything, share impressions with other participants, and take it slow.

Venue

Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Tochigi Branch — Meditation Hall "Sabai Mind" 1068 Ōya-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-0345, Japan

Free parking is available on the temple grounds.

Fee & Capacity

• Fee: 1,500 yen per session (tax included)
• Capacity: ~20 people per session (walk-ins welcome; advance booking recommended)
• What to bring: Just wear comfortable clothes — nothing else needed.

Contact

Many people come on their own for the first time. Whether you're "a little curious" or "thinking of just trying once" — that's perfectly fine. Reach out anytime to ask about availability or anything else.

📧 [email protected]