FAQs
Do I need to know meditation in order to join Atish Dipankar Dhyan Kendra?
No, but an interest to learn and develop a meditation practice will be helpful. Atish Dipankar Dhyan Kendra’s programmes cater to all – beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
Can I join if I already follow a certain school or method of meditation?
If you already have a meditation practice, you can independently, without mixing, try the methods practiced here. Nevertheless, we would advise you to discuss it with our Coordinator before signing up.
Is there a waitlist to join any of the programmes?
You can join the Drop-in Meditation anytime. For the Study Programme, you may have to wait for the right time, as joining in the middle of a chapter or a text might not be helpful.
What are the requirements for joining the Study Programme?
You have to attend the sessions regularly and actively engage in the group discussions. Anyone from any background or belief systems is welcome to join, if they are willing to participate as mentioned.
If I want to attend any of the programmes, do I need to inform you in advance?
Yes. Please connect with us, or leave your details in the Contact Us form for us to reach you.
Who is in charge of the programmes?
For the Study Programme, the transmission of the text and commentary is done by the teacher. The participating members hold the presentation and discussion segment.
For Drop-in Meditation and Retreats, there will be some instruction or guidance but you are in charge of your cushion time.
For Drop-in Meditation and Retreats, there will be some instruction or guidance but you are in charge of your cushion time.
Do I have to be a Buddhist to attend these programmes?
No. Most participants and members don’t identify as Buddhists, but we have an interest in the Buddha’s methods and advice. Our focus is on meditation as it is very important in this day and age. And anyone can learn meditation and experience the results.
Are there fees involved?
The Drop-in Meditation is free of charge.
Those who attend the Study Programme are offered monthly and annual membership of the Dhyan Kendra for a fee. However, the membership fee is not mandatory, and non-affordability is never a barrier in joining the Study Programme.
Those who attend the Study Programme are offered monthly and annual membership of the Dhyan Kendra for a fee. However, the membership fee is not mandatory, and non-affordability is never a barrier in joining the Study Programme.
What does the membership entail?
- You can take part in the Study Programme and all other programmes offered by the Dhyan Kendra.
- You won’t have to pay registration fees for any online or physical retreats organised by the Dhyan Kendra for the duration of your membership.
- We also invite you to volunteer to help us continue with our programmes and reach out to many more people who might be benefited through meditation and Buddha’s teachings.
In what ways can I contribute as a volunteer?
You may choose to do so in any of the following ways:
- Actively take part in our programmes — Study Programme/Drop-in Meditation/ Retreats/ Group prayers/ Special programmes.
- Make a donation. We are a public charitable trust, and we need the support of donors to carry out the Dhyan Kendra’s activities.
- Lend your skills and expertise to different activities of the Dhyan Kendra — managing social media, running the website, audio recording, documenting through photography and other multimedia channels, and maintaining the meditation centre.
What if I can’t pay the membership fees?
We never turn away anyone for lack of means. If you have financial difficulties, please discuss it with our Coordinator and we will find a way.
If I have questions on the topic of study, who will answer them?
Questions are always welcome and the teacher responds to them. Most questions are addressed right away.
However, understanding answers to certain questions may need more exploration and engagement with the concepts on the part of the questioner. For such questions, it is wiser to wait till the time a certain text is taught. You may have to study and understand other concepts, or the relationship between different concepts, for a better hold over the subject matter. Only then will the answer be meaningful and helpful to you.
However, understanding answers to certain questions may need more exploration and engagement with the concepts on the part of the questioner. For such questions, it is wiser to wait till the time a certain text is taught. You may have to study and understand other concepts, or the relationship between different concepts, for a better hold over the subject matter. Only then will the answer be meaningful and helpful to you.
How long shall I meditate?
In the beginning, try 30-minute sessions twice a day. If increasing the time span feels tough, go for shorter sessions and do it more often.
I feel sleepy whenever I sit to meditate. What should I do?
Sleepiness could be due to physiological reasons and mental sinking. Quite often, our mind resists. We should sleep enough, rest enough and meditate at an appropriate time (not after a heavy meal, for example).
Make sure the room you are meditating in is well-lit and not a dark place. Sit on a chair or a cushion on the floor, not on the bed or sofa. You can recite prayers, such as the Refuge prayer. This will help counter sleepiness. Meditating in a group, in front of the teacher, may also help.
Make sure the room you are meditating in is well-lit and not a dark place. Sit on a chair or a cushion on the floor, not on the bed or sofa. You can recite prayers, such as the Refuge prayer. This will help counter sleepiness. Meditating in a group, in front of the teacher, may also help.