People ask what kind of meditation is taught. It depends largely on the people present.

There are many kinds of meditation. For instance, you may be given a guided meditation to assist you to reach a higher state of consciousness, you can observe feelings and thoughts that are arising or you can observe the breath. You might say a mantra such as "Om" on the out-breath. You can observe your thoughts and feelings on wisdom or joy, for instance.

As you can see from the above, you are largely being asked to observe the mind. This takes you out of the maelstrom of thoughts and feelings into a place of greater tranquillity.

The Western mind is used to racing around from subject to subject, place to place. We do not realise that the mind gets indigestion. We no longer spend evenings winding down in front of the fire, talking or thinking about the day's events. We rush out to a film or baby-sit the grandchildren, watch the television, learn a new subject at night school.

Meditation re-centres us, gives us time and space to absorb what has been happening to us. It helps to heal our wounds and replenishes our energy levels.

You should feel peaceful and centred after a meditation session.