Welcome to Bristol Insight Meditation. Our aspiration is to build a community that nurtures wisdom and compassion: for ourselves, for others and for the world we live in. Through our groups and activities, we support the practice and study of Buddhist Insight Meditation also known as Vipassana (literally translated as ‘seeing deeply or clearly’). This is the practice of developing a calm and mindful investigation into the nature of experience, leading to wisdom, compassion and the end of suffering.

Mindfulness meditation doesn’t change life. Life remains as fragile and unpredictable as ever. Meditation changes the heart’s capacity to accept life as it is. It teaches the heart to be more accommodating, not by beating it into submission, but by making it clear that accommodation is a gratifying choice.

Sylvia Boorstein

We welcome all people from our rich and diverse global community into our Sangha. We do not tolerate discrimination on any basis, including ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. All our indoor activities are wheelchair accessible. We also recognise those with neurodivergence and those with hidden disabilities. It is through connecting with each other that we can create a safe space for everyone to arrive in the moment, as they are.

“The quality of presence determines the quality of life.” – Jack Kornfield

We offer a range of regular activities, a programme of day retreats and occasional longer courses to support meditation practice. Our longstanding association with Gaia House, a well-known retreat centre for Insight Meditation, means we regularly invite their teachers, as well as those from other linked traditions, to lead our own retreat days and courses. These are reputable, highly experienced teachers who commit to a code of ethics.

Our approach emphasises inquiry, experiential exploration and mindfulness amongst many other influences. It is not important to hold particular beliefs or to consider yourself a Buddhist to attend our activities and events, all are welcome. If you like the sound of what we do, then please feel free to come along and check us out.

Our 2024 information leaflet is now available here. Please feel free to download and circulate it within your community to help let others know what we offer. Thank you.

In general, as you go round the website, just click on the pictures for more information.