Colchester Buddhist Centre

I started going to the centre because I had tried meditation before but never really kept it going, and I was seeking something more than the materialistic world I was living in. I was interested in Buddhism and knew a bit about it, but not a huge amount.I was welcomed warmly and introduced to the people running the wednesday night 'newcomers' drop in class, and before I knew it, I felt like I had been going for ages! Everyone was very friendly and I enjoyed learning a bit of meditation and a bit about Buddhism each week.I am now a regular and have to say, going to the Buddhist Centre that rainy December evening was most definitely a turning point in my life, and I would encourage you to just drop in and give it a go!

I'm commenting as both a Trustee and someone who has benefited from the Colchester Buddhist Centre.Colchester Buddhist Centre has been operating for over 15 years in the town centre, offering the people of Colchester the opportunity to find out about and practice Buddhism, meditation, and yoga. It is a registered charity and was recently runner up in the Charity Sector of the Colchester Business of the year Awards.The centre has helped hundreds of people in the area develop a sense of peace and inner serenity, in a friendly, welcoming and safe space. We also offer the opportunity to go on a retreat for a day, weekend or a longer period of time, to learn, reflect and meditate.We offer treatments including acupuncture, counselling and healing and have a bookshop and are open for those who just want to pop in for a cup of tea and a chat.We often receive referrals from other projects, including Open Road’s drug and alcohol support, Alcoholics Anonymous, Oxford Road, Colchester Mind and GP’s to help deal with depression as meditation is often cited as assisting in the treatments of addiction and depression.The centre is much loved and our work in the community is a reflection of our Buddhist practice.In addition to our work at the centre, we also go out and volunteer each year at WRAP (the Winter Reserve Accommodation Project for the homeless) and have led meditation at St. Helena’s Hospice, had the scouts, cubs, beavers and brownies visit us, and we run a weekly outreach class at Clacton.We have done litter picks, days on environmentalism and urban retreats (offering those to continue their day work whilst being ‘on retreat’). We also visit care homes and have conducted Buddhist weddings and funerals.We provide voluntary teaching at Primary Schools, and have visited almost all the schools in Colchester. We keep up regular links with Totham Primary, Home Farm and St.Lukes in Tiptree to name a few.We lead on environmentalism, and have become a part of a new sustainable Buddhist Centre scheme to make a strong commitment towards becoming a low-carbon, sustainable community. As a spiritual community we take our practice of ethics seriously and it is a consideration in all the decisions we make.In addition we are a certified fair-trade centre (the first Buddhist Centre in the UK to achieve certification!).We take an active role in promoting the younger members of the community, with a young person’s group who have run film nights, games nights, a summer soiree and a tea and cakes day to name a few of the activities.Colchester Buddhist Centre is a registered charity and is run on an entirely voluntary basis. It depends on receiving donations to meet all its costs, such as rent, rates and electricity. It also depends on people giving their time to lead meditations, help run classes, organise events and generally help to keep the centre clean and running well, so it may be a peaceful and welcoming place for people to experience. It is with such generosity that we are able to continue to run the Centre.Hope you can visit us!

I attended over a five year period, was very open minded and I write books in depth on buddhist science... This group i do not recommend for serious people or people with anxiety or fear disorders or vulnerability. They use cult related methods of management (whether they intend it or not), they do not have a good system of management and they do not conform to good counselling practices codes. They do not accept freedom of expression and human rights to be valid. (logged it with the charity commission and police)

I discovered the colchester Buddhist centre in 2000 at a meditation and art day retreat. I found the people there to be friendly, and helpful. There was a tangible feel of community and care for one another. I haven't looked back since and have watched many others benefit in similar ways.Learning about meditation and Buddhism has changed my life in the most positive way and I now am part of a world wide community of Triratna Buddhists which gives me a way of practicing and living Buddhism in a way that is accessible and appropriate to my western lifestyle.I would recommend coming along to find out for yourself!May all beings be happy and well.

I found the Colchester Buddhist Centre in 2000 and have gone there until I moved to Wales in 2015. The atmosphere is very friendly. I have really appreciated the meditation teaching and also the friendly environment that has supported me to make really positive changes in my life.I strongly recommend visiting and finding out for yourself.