Cambridge Gaia House Meditation Groups have 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) or James Blake, Tel 571740. james-blake@ntlworld.com.

Following the teachings of the Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the group practises sitting and walking meditation (20 min each sitting, walking, sitting) usually followed by a reading. The session follows the Zen tradition, with bells to signal the start and finish of meditation and bowing to each other and the Buddha. Twice a month there are discussions on the Buddha's teaching and people share with each other how their practice is going. There is no formal teaching in the group, but beginners are welcome and can find teaching in Thich Nhat Hanh's books, or by going on retreat with him in Plum Village in France. For details about the time and place of meditations, contact Jane (842941) or Mike (233200 or mike@oakbell.freeserve.co.uk). Web-sites: www.interbeing.org.uk or www.plumvillage.org

The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order have a centre in Cambridge at 36-38 Newmarket Road where they hold a number of meditation classes.

For more details about any of these activities, contact the centre on 577553 or email: info@cambridgebuddhistcentre.com