The Eight Worldly Concerns: Overcoming the Obstacles to Genuine Happiness

Join David Oromith online for this four-week Buddhist study group.

Tuesdays, 22 and 29 September, 6 and 13 October 2026, 7.00pm–8.30pm UK time (BST).

Navigating Life's Ups and Downs with Wisdom

During this 4-week course, we will explore the ‘Eight Worldly Concerns’, said to be the driving attachments and aversions that we constantly cycle through in our pursuit of happiness and avoidance of pain.

These are four hopes and their corresponding fears, and fixation with these ‘worldly winds’ is said to be an obstacle to experiencing genuine, lasting wellbeing and happiness.

Together, we will explore how to cultivate a kind of equilibrium amidst the waves of ups and downs in our life, leading to a profound sense of peace and contentment. This does not entail a passive approach to life, its challenges, or our aspirations, but rather greater freedom in how we meet them.

Week 1: Gain and Loss

Week 2: Fame and Insignificance

Week 3: Praise and Blame

Week 4: Pleasure and Pain

Exploring these deeply in our own experience will offer insights into what our daily obstacles to wellbeing and inner peace are, and how to overcome them.

These classes consist of guided meditations, talks and discussions covering a different aspect of Buddhist meditation each week.

Dates & Format

Recordings are made available to participants who would like to follow along at their own pace.

Sessions consist of a meditation, teachings on our course material, and group discussions of our experience and questions.

Participants can join the Study Group at any time and at any point in the series. There's no need to wait until you're caught up to join a live session, though you're welcome to watch the recordings at your leisure.

Booking & Donation

This Online Study Group relies entirely on donations. Only through your honest generosity will we be able to continue offering these sessions for the benefit of all. You can make a donation using one of the options at the checkout, or by visiting this page.

We suggest a donation of £25 for this course, but you're able to offer within your means.

It is customary to offer dana (a donation) to support the teacher and the activities of the dharma organisation. No one is excluded from participating for lack of funds, but if you're able to, as is tradition, please consider making an offering. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and all money raised goes directly into supporting our activities and fundraising for the Samadhi Eco Retreat Centre.

To book your place and get the joining link, please visit: https://www.samadhi.org.uk/event/the-eight-worldly-concerns-overcoming-the-obstacles-to-genuine-happiness/