Getting To Know Your Mind
20 - 27 April 2026
Led by: Ven. Tenzin Choden (Joan)
This beginner-friendly course offers a practical introduction to the way the mind works from a Buddhist perspective. Getting to Know Your Mind invites participants to slow down, turn inward, and begin to get to know themselves more deeply and honestly through a process of self-reflection.
Rather than trying to control the mind or suppress difficult emotions, this course focuses on becoming familiar with how the mind works and on learning to apply methods to develop healthy and positive states that counteract disturbing thoughts and emotions.
Through guided meditations, teachings, and discussion, participants learn to observe their thoughts, emotions, and habitual patterns with clarity and self-compassion. This growing familiarity becomes the foundation for developing more inner stability, better emotional balance, and greater freedom in daily life.
Rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the course introduces essential meditation practices for calming and observing the mind, alongside explanations from Buddhist psychology that enable participants to recognise states of mind that support well-being and those that lead to distress. With kindness and curiosity, participants are encouraged to explore their inner world as it is, without judgment, and to gradually grow their love, compassion, and acceptance of themselves and others.
The emphasis throughout is on practice and integration. The tools offered are meant to be lived, not just understood, helping participants respond more wisely to stress, emotions, relationships, and the challenges of daily life.
Course highlights include:
- Clear instructions for settling and focusing the mind (shamatha)
- Guided analytical meditations
- Introductory teachings on the nature and function of the mind
- An explanation of key emotions based on Buddhist psychology
- Space for questions, discussions, and shared inquiry
- One full day of silent guided meditations
- Practical guidance for bringing mindfulness of mental states into daily life
Important to note:
- No previous meditation experience is required
- The course is suitable for complete beginners
- Half of the first six days and one full day are held in silence
offering space for deeper awareness and inner listening - Participants are asked to attend all sessions
- This is not a Vipassana (Goenka) course
This course is an invitation to begin where you are, just as you are, and to discover that understanding the mind is a learnable, empowering, and deeply rewarding process.
Disclaimer
Meditation can sometimes bring up difficult emotions or unresolved issues, particularly for those with existing mental health conditions. If you have any concerns about your emotional wellbeing, we encourage you to speak with a healthcare professional before attending.
This course is designed to provide a supportive environment, but individual experiences with meditation may vary.
Details of the course
COURSE DATE: 20 April – 27 April 2026
COURSE LEADER: Ven. Tenzin Choden (Joan)
FLAT FEE IN A DORM: US$ 140
The course fee includes all meals, accommodation in a dormitory, and a free book.
What’s Included:
- Accommodation in a dormitory
- All meals
- A free book
Students can also choose to stay in single, double, and triple rooms with private or shared facilities. There is an extra charge for these types of rooms, please click here and use the red column to see the daily room charges. You will need to add these to the Flat Course Fee.
When you do your booking, please choose your room preferences in accordance with your budget based on this list. Please note that single rooms are limited. We cannot guarantee you will be accommodated in your first room choice. Rooms are allocated by order of booking and are confirmed upon arrival.
Check-in time starts at 9 am on 20 April. The first session is at 5.30 pm, please make sure to be here at that time.
Our reception opens at 9 am and closes at 5.30 pm, arrivals are due to be done only within these times.
The course concludes on 27 April with lunch.
Mobile phones, laptops and other internet-enabled devices must be checked in at the reception for the duration of the course. Read more on course guidelines.
During your stay at Kopan, please observe our dress code and ensure your clothing is appropriate for a monastic environment. You can review the guidelines here.
Approximate Daily Schedule
- 6:45 am – Morning Meditation
- 7:30 am – Breakfast
- 9:15 am – Teachings
- 11:30 am – Lunch & Break
- 2:00 pm – Discussion Groups
- 3:30 pm – Afternoon Teachings
- 5:00 pm – Tea Break
- 5:45 pm – Guided Meditation
- 6:30 pm – Dinner
- 7:30 pm – Evening Program (Talk, Q&A, or Meditation)
