Hundreds join Brighton beach meditation session

Kelsang Thekchen led the group of 350 people through a guided meditation session near the West Pier, Brighton, on May 7, using the sea and waves as a visible analogy of the mind and thoughts.

He also used the sky and clouds to help with his session, and said that although working outside has its benefits, being unable to control the surroundings sometimes requires a lot of concentration from his class.

350 people joined together to meditate at the West Pier, Brighton

“Even if a distraction comes, they notice the mind being distracted, and try to not see that cloud-like thought and return to the clarity of the sky,” he said.

“It's really helpful for creating inner peace. I think somebody was deflating a paddleboard, a few drinkers – but this stuff happens.”

Kelsang splits the 30-minute session in two halves, beginning with the focus on inner peace, before directing his class to wish for compassion for others.

He said that although meditation is often about the person taking part, it is also about wishing for the wellbeing of others.

“I encourage them to imagine sending that peace out to others, and wishing others to experience it,” he said.

Kelsang Thekchen

“We recited the mantra of the compassion of all Buddhists. I chanted it 21 times in the microphone – and people either chanted it or imagined sending it to family, friends, people of Europe or to all human beings.

“People meditate for different reasons. When I started teaching, I just wanted to destress, but I also wanted to learn what the mind is.

“You start by learning how to calm the mind, by focusing on the breath or just the clarity of the mind.

The group at the West Pier

“But a bigger goal is to improve our inner good qualities to the fullest extent.”

The group sessions are run by Brighton’s Bodhisattva Kadampa meditation centre, with the next set to take place on Saturday, July 9.