A warm, experiential introduction to meditation and mindful living
Begins February 8, 2026 — Five in-person sessions (30–40 minutes each) – 10:50 a.m. (see below for details)
Contribution: $75
Location: Buddhist Faith Fellowship, 343 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT — Facing the serene Shôyôan Teien Japanese Garden
Instructor: Dharma Teacher G.R. Lewis : 35 years of meditation & mindfulness experience
Open Enrollment ends on February 1, 2026.
Course Overview
Our in-person Meditation Made Easy course is a gentle, experiential introduction to meditation and mindful living, designed for complete beginners as well as those looking to refresh their practice. Grounded in the simple and accessible teachings from Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh, this five-session course helps you bring mindfulness into everyday life with clarity, calm, and confidence.
Each class, Dharma Teacher G.R. Lewis will guide students through practical exercises, reflections, and real-life applications—supported by short readings and at-home practice from Happiness. The course emphasizes ease, warmth, and accessibility, making meditation approachable for everyone, regardless of spiritual background.
This is not a course on Buddhism, but it does draw on timeless Buddhist meditation techniques that support well-being, presence, and compassionate living. It is also especially helpful for those who are curious about or exploring the Buddhist path.
Requirements
To fully benefit from this five-session experiential in-person course, students are asked to:
- Attend all five course sessions
- Attend Meditation & Talk Sundays at 9:00 a.m. (prior to class) to fully experience the communal practice foundation
- Purchase the book Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh (click on image)
- Read assigned short chapters from Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Complete brief, practice-oriented at-home exercises
- No prerequisites — all levels welcome
What You Will Learn
- Quiet sitting and conscious breathing
- Foundations of mindfulness (body, feelings, mind, and daily activity)
- How to calm and steady the mind amid daily stress
- Gentle awareness practices for home and work
- Mindful walking and simple body-mind grounding
- How to bring mindfulness into everyday habits
- Heart-centered practices that support kindness, ease, and connection
Each session includes guided practice, a short talk, group discussion, and Q&A.
Benefits of Meditation
- Helps reduce stress and restore calm
- Strengthens mental clarity and emotional resilience
- Improves overall well-being and connection with self and others
- Supports those exploring the Buddhist path by cultivating presence, spaciousness, and a compassionate mindset
Assignments
All assignments are based on the readings in the book Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh and will be sent to students via e-mail. If you did not receive the assignments 2 weeks before the initial class, check your SPAM. Then, immediately contact us via CONTACT Tab. Important: Assignments must be completed before the class. First homework assignment is due on the first-class meeting. Assignments are short infomral reflections on the experience of the meditation and mindfulness practices.
Community Practice (Integral to the Course)
As part of this course, students are asked to attend Meditation & Talk Sundays at 9:00 a.m. (prior to class) to fully experience the communal practice foundation. These gatherings introduce voice meditation and other practices that deepen one’s experience. The class will meet immediately after each Sunday session (approx. 10:50 a.m.), allowing students to integrate what they’ve just practiced and explore its meaning in community.
Instructor
Dharma Teacher (Rev.) G.R. Lewis, M.A. has been BFF of CT’s guiding teacher since 2001. A student of the Venerable Thich Tri Hong and the esteemed and late Dr. (Rev.) Taitetsu Unno, he has practiced Buddhism for over 30 years. For details, see bio in Our Teachers web page under the I’M NEW tab.
A Perfect Companion to Buddhism 101 — And Vice Versa
This course pairs beautifully with our online course, Buddhism 101: The Basics.
Students in Buddhism 101 often discover that Meditation Made Easy brings the teachings to life through direct experience—helping them embody what they learn about mindfulness, worldview, and the Eightfold Path.
Likewise, students taking Meditation Made Easy may find Buddhism 101 a supportive complement, offering the historical and doctrinal context that enriches meditation practice. Together, the two courses provide both the experiential tools and structured understanding for applying mindfulness in everyday life.
Link to Online Buddhism 101: The Basics:
https://bffct.org/bff/buddhism-course-101-module-1-the-foundation/
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