London Meditation Centre
London, England
Life-changing Vedic Meditation courses and retreats to settle mind and body
Created by Jillian Lavender and her partner Michael Miller, the London Meditation Centre offers four-day non-residential courses to teach you Vedic Meditation in central London, usually at Notting Hill. Using a mantra given to you at the first session, you will leave able to meditate. This is a tool for life that can be used for calm, clarity of mind and creativity. Once you are a Vedic Meditator, the team also offers residential retreats.
our Reviewer Christine Fieldhouse says:
‘My co-meditators are reporting progress. One younger man has stopped doom-scrolling on his phone, an older woman is less angry on the Tube. I find I care less what people think. It’s liberating’
our Reviewer caroline sylge says:
‘I brought home something that I feel very sure will support me each and every day for the rest of my life’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘There’s no messing around on these courses. Once your four days are up, you’ll already have an established Vedic meditation practice. Jillian and Michael are fun and understand modern day demands. Their light-hearted, practical approach would convince the most sceptical. All ages attend – no one is too young or too old’
Experiences
Practised for 20 minutes, twice a day, the simple meditation technique allows the mind and body to settle to their least excited state. Expect to sleep better, reduce anxiety, feel more positive and tolerant, and slow down the ageing process.
Before your course, you’ll listen to an hour-long online talk by Jillian or Michael about Vedic Meditation and the practicalities of the course. You’ll also be sent an online form to complete – it asks about your health, how you sleep and what you want from meditation. Afterwards, there are monthly online group meditations, as well as the occasional in-person sessions.
After a small ceremony at the start of the first session, you’ll be taken into a room individually to get and practise your personal mantra. After that, talks and teaching are interspersed with group practice, with plenty of time for questions and answers.
Spaces and Sustenance
Sessions take place at a bright and airy church hall, a five-minute walk from the underground station at Notting Hill Gate. You leave your shoes at the door and seating is comfortable (no cross-legged sitting on floors).
There is a small kitchen with a kettle and toilet facilities. A small leafy garden at the back of the church is a restful place to get some fresh air and chat to fellow meditators in your breaks.
If you don’t live in London, choose for your accommodation somewhere where you can have some space to yourself and time to rest over the course of your four days. The team can help advise you on nearby hotels and B&Bs.
Notting Hill Gate, London, UK
London and New York Meditation Centre
Co-founded by Jillian Lavender and Michael Miller, leading experts in Vedic Meditation, the London Meditation Centre and New York Meditation Centre offer non-residential retreats to teach an ancient form of meditation that can be used to tackle stress, fatigue and anxiety. You can learn the technique in Notting Hill in London and Chelsea in New York, where non-residential courses include two-hour sessions run over four consecutive days. Once you are a Vedic Meditator, the team also offers residential retreats - you can read about one here.