Our Open Silent Meditations are run Monday to Friday twice a day: 8:00 – 8:30 am and 5:30 – 6:00 pm. See below for more information on how to attend and what to expect.
“Coming to The Salisbury Centre to hold the space for the weekly meditation has become a powerful part of my week. Arriving in the room that so many have practised in before, landing from wherever I’ve been (physically & mentally), being open to whoever arrives, then sitting – really sitting in a fully grounded place – for the precious half hour of silence, opening up awareness to this and also the ending of it, is both calming and focusing. And there are many smiles around before and afterwards! It is heartening to know that this is happening twice a day.”
Clunie
The Salisbury Centre is offering a welcoming space for silent community meditation every weekday,
- In the morning at 8:00 – 8:30 am, and
- In the afternoon at 5:30 – 6:00 pm.
Additionally, there is a meditation every Friday 12:00-12:45 pm.
These meditations are non-denominational and accessible to all; no experience is needed. The form is 30 minutes of silence, sometimes started with a dedication or invocation. You may sit in any way you find comfortable. A selection of chairs, cushions, stools and blankets are provided.
What distinguishes this space from many others offered in the city is the principle of silence. The meditations aren’t guided. We simply share half an hour of “empty space” in which thoughts, feelings, sensations, and experiences can arise.
The practitioners have expressed silence as a great value, which often brings people together in a more powerful way than the wisest of words.
Practicalities
Here is some more information on what to expect and how to attend.
- These are 30-minute sessions of silent contemplation (except for Friday 12pm one, which is 45 mins), run by volunteers.
- Whilst these meditations are not guided, feel free to ask any questions before or after the meditation. Please be mindful that the meditation volunteers also need time to collect and ground themselves before holding the space, so if you have a longer question, it’s more practical to save it for after the session.
- Sessions are open to all on a drop-in basis – there’s no need to book ahead.
- Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the start; if you’re late you may not get in.
- Cushions and blankets are provided.
- Donations toward the upkeep of the Centre are welcome but not required. If you want to leave a donation, please speak to the person hosting.
- If you’d like to help with hosting these sessions, please email [email protected]
Important note about cancellations
All sessions are run by people who volunteer their time to keep these running. They often travel from different parts of the city and juggle many other life commitments.
We try our best to keep these meditation sessions consistent and find cover when one of the volunteers can’t make it. But occasionally, some of them are cancelled.
To make sure the slot you’re planning to attend is happening, please check our Events Calendar for any notes about cancellations.
If you want to help host the meditations, please email [email protected]
My earliest memories of engaging with the Centre go back many years ago, when I was coming here for a morning meditation. And I remember just coming through the door, and just being struck by the beauty and the serenity and the sense of welcome here.
Brenna
The importance of meditation
Daily meditation has been the core practice of The Salisbury Centre from the day it started.
It was recognised by the founders as important not only for the development of the interior life of the people living and working here. They also saw it as an essential hub of daily life and a focus of shared commitment.
In other words: daily meditation has been understood to be “practice as a service” at the Centre since its very beginning.
It was envisaged that those who lived and worked here would have their own private compassion-based meditation practice that would sustain and nurture their spiritual growth. It was also envisaged that, alongside their private practice, residents would meet twice daily for a shared meditation that would be open to the public.
It was considered important that the day would begin and end with stillness. Any action held in between those periods of stillness would then have greater meaning and be more grounded. Daily practice was also seen as the opportunity to re-dedicate oneself and the place.
Today, more than 50 years later, the tradition continues. Our twice-daily silent meditations are open to all who want to grow spiritually, psychologically, and creatively in the company of others.
We believe that holding space for silence and stillness supports that.