Term Dates & FAQs

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You are naturally free to share your contact details with other members of the group if you wish. However, we are required to follow data protection law in respecting our students’ privacy by not sharing their names or contact details with anyone else including other students in their class.

The School has been around for over 80 years and, yes, like many organisations, it has been the subject of criticism in different places and at different times. Practices such as meditation haven’t always been as ‘mainstream’ as they are today and have in the past been viewed with some suspicion. In 1983, a book by two journalists alleged, among other things, that the School was a secretive, cult-like organization. Other allegations have been made from time to time.

Understandably, criticisms like this can be quite upsetting for our students. We would say first that they greatly misrepresent the aims and activities of the School, secondly that the School today has developed and adapted itself to modern times and is a different organisation than it was in the different era of the 1970s and 1980s. We acknowledged too that the criticisms 30 – 40 years ago served a useful purpose in alerting us to the need for openness and transparency and the need to provide more information about our courses and associated activities. That is one reason why this information is being offered. We also encourage students to give feedback so we can learn from any difficulties people have found. We make every effort to have open discussion and clear information, through our website and in forums which bring together other organisations sharing our interest in building a better, more harmonious world, with justice for all. We are a registered charity; we fully respect and comply with all the legal requirements of a charity including producing an annual report and accounts to the Charity Commission, and we provide public liability and employers’ liability insurance and comply with all the health and safety and data protection requirements expected of all organisations like ours.

We ask only that our students judge for themselves whether what they learn here is of use to them and possibly their family, friends and community. Experience has taught us how easily things can be misunderstood or misinterpreted, so do please speak to your tutor or indeed the principal of the school if you have any concerns or questions. We would really appreciate any opportunity to provide clarification and avoid misunderstandings.

All we would ask is that you give the course, the practices and your fellow students a reasonable chance and that you let your tutor know at an early stage if you are experiencing any difficulties. Of course, from time-to-time, someone may find the course is just not for them or a change in circumstances prevents them from attending. We have a no-quibble refund policy so up to your third week you can get a full refund. Thereafter refunds would be offered as appropriate in each case.

This is an ancient practice which gradually helps to bring about inner peace, harmony and clarity of mind and to release fine energy for practical use in daily life. It originates in a centuries-old tradition that arose in India and was adapted to be given to people in the West at the end of the 1950s. It is suitable for people of any age, disposition or background. In the early 1960s, contact was made with one of the great teachers in the tradition of meditation, who was then the Shankaracharya of northern India, Maharaja Shri Shantananda Saraswati, and he gave us a great deal of useful advice on the practice and his successor continues so to do. The simple awareness exercise introduced on the first day of the course, as well as being effective and helpful in its own right, is also a useful preparation for anyone wishing to meditate.

No. Meditation is not a religion and involves no set of beliefs or creeds – although meditation techniques are used by some religions. Many who practise meditation often find that with time it leads to a greater appreciation of the true, undifferentiated essence as expressed in the world’s great teachings, including religious teachings.

The effect of the proper practice of meditation may be seen in an increase of enthusiasm; greater efficiency in work; steadiness in thought and action; it seems to develop a certain strength of character; increased happiness, regardless of success or failure; greater wisdom in all aspects of life. The method of meditation is very powerful and effective. It is most effective when it becomes a regular part of life. As the practice deepens you gain greater insight into your self – not just your own individual personality, but the nature of being.

The mantra-based method of meditation is a fundamental part of the non-dual Advaita philosophy the school offers from Part 6 onwards. It is supported by tutorials, specific guidance and group discussion. Because this support relates specifically to mantra-based meditation, it would be impractical for people to be using a variety of methods. So, in the School we keep it simple and use one ‘tried and tested’ method of meditation only. This method is efficient, effective and fully compatible with our western lifestyle. However, whether you take up the practice or not is entirely a matter personal choice. Those who don’t wish to meditate or have a different method would not be able to follow the non-dual Advaita philosophy course but could continue studies in any of the various Horizons courses which the school offers. 

The senior tutor in the School is currently Mr Donald Lambie, a qualified barrister.