Cambridge Amaravati group grew from a few local Buddhists, who were interested in the teachings from Amaravati Buddhist monastery near Hemel Hempstead. The type of meditation practiced is vipassana or ‘insight’ meditation. The group functions as a way for meditators to come together, rather than as a taught class, and is open and sociable. Over the years people have joined who are interested in different forms of vipassana meditation, or in different Buddhist traditions altogether. The group also acts as a contact point for people interested in visiting Amaravati, to find out more directly about this sort of meditation and Buddhist way of life. Contact: Dan Jones: danjones@supanet.com Tel. 246257

These are two groups for people who wish to practice meditation and mindful living in everyday life. They practice meditation techniques derived from the Buddhist tradition, but do not necessarily consider themselves Buddhists. Most practice insight meditation, although the groups aim to provide an environment in which a variety of practices, beliefs and approaches can be aired and shared. Group members need to be self reliant enough in their practice to meditate for forty five minutes without guidance. Contact: Steve Briant (tel 327165); John and Jackie Teasdale (01223 460966; j@jdteasdale.plus.com).

Diamond Way meditation group www.dwbuk.org/centres/cambridge