Friday night lecture series Are We Driven by Distraction?

The Friday Night Lecture series in Edinburgh happens once a month and is designed to be light-hearted, thought-provoking, and accessible.

The evening begins with a short guided meditation to relax and focus the mind, followed by teachings, lively discussion, and Q&A.

These sessions are light-hearted, thought-provoking, and interactive, perfect for anyone curious about the challenges of modern life, whether you’re new to meditation or have been practising for years.

The evening concludes with refreshments, giving you the chance to continue the conversation and enjoy a Friday night out with a meaningful twist. Come on your own or with friends.

Everyone warmly welcome.

Upcoming dates: 21 Aug, 2 & 30 Oct, 20 Nov & Fri 22 Jan.

Fee: £12 | members £3 (refreshment fee)

August: Are we Driven by Distraction?

Why is it so difficult to stay present and focused? Why do we so often find ourselves pulled from one distraction to the next? Are we chasing distractions, or are they driving us?

In this interactive Friday Night Lecture, we’ll explore and debate one of the defining questions of modern life: what is happening to our attention? We live in a world full of notifications, entertainment, information, and endless opportunities to stay busy. Yet many people report feeling more distracted, restless, and overwhelmed than ever before.

Why are distractions so appealing? Are they helping us cope with the pressures of modern life, or are they preventing us from experiencing a deeper sense of peace and contentment? And if distraction has become a habit, is it possible to develop a different way of relating to our thoughts, technology, and daily experiences?

Together, we’ll examine what Buddhist psychology has to say about attention, mental habits, and happiness, and explore whether meditation can help us develop the focus, clarity, purpose, and inner freedom we crave.

Everyone warmly welcome.