Business Details
46 Years
experience
International Meditation Centre in Calne
Established in 1980, the International Meditation Centre promotes Buddhist Vipassana meditation rooted in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Our ten-day residential courses, led by experienced teachers like Mr Roger Bischoff, provide structured training in mindfulness and insight practices. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds, offering a framework for developing mental discipline through morality, concentration, and wisdom. The Centre maintains global connections while preserving the authenticity of teachings passed down from Mother Sayamagyi. Our approach combines historical lineage with practical application for modern life, focusing on gradual mental purification and self-awareness.The facility in Wiltshire provides a dedicated environment for intensive meditation practice, supported by clear guidelines and structured schedules. We emphasize experiential learning over theoretical instruction, with benefits proportionate to individual effort. The Centre continues Sayagyi U Ba Khin's legacy of making meditation accessible to lay practitioners worldwide. Our operations are guided by charitable principles registered with the UK Charity Commission.
Services
Vipassana Meditation
Anapana Respiration
Ten-day Retreats
Mindfulness Training
Moral Discipline
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- Established in 1980 with direct lineage from Sayagyi U Ba Khin's tradition
- Led by experienced teacher Mr Roger Bischoff since Mother Sayamagyi's passing
- Structured ten-day residential courses with proven meditation methodology
- Global network of affiliated meditation centres for ongoing practice support
- Charitable organisation registered with the UK Charity Commission (No 280134)
Services
Vipassana Meditation
Vipassana meditation develops awareness of impermanence, suffering, and non-self through systematic self-observation. Practitioners cultivate detachment from reactive mental patterns through focused attention on bodily sensations. This ancient technique leads to profound mental purification and liberation from suffering.
Anapana Respiration
Anapana meditation trains concentration by focusing on natural respiration at the nostrils. This foundational practice stabilises the mind during initial training days, preparing practitioners for advanced Vipassana techniques. The breath serves as an accessible anchor for developing mindfulness.
Ten-day Retreats
Our structured ten-day programs combine moral discipline, concentration training, and insight meditation. Courses begin Friday evenings and conclude Monday mornings, following traditional teaching methods. Participants observe silence and ethical guidelines throughout the intensive practice period.
Moral Discipline
Moral discipline forms the foundation of our meditation practice through observing five precepts: non-violence, honesty, integrity, responsible communication, and sobriety. This ethical framework creates mental clarity necessary for deeper meditation. Practitioners develop purity of action and speech before advancing to concentration practices.
Concentration Training
Concentration training develops mental steadiness through sustained focus on a single object. This practice enables deeper insight meditation by reducing mental distractions. Students learn to maintain balanced awareness that supports advanced stages of self-observation.
People
Roger Bischoff
Principal Teacher
Mr Roger Bischoff has led meditation courses at IMC UK since Mother Sayamagyi's passing in 2017. He continues the traditional teaching methods established by Sayagyi U Ba Khin, guiding students through structured meditation programs. His instruction emphasizes practical application of Buddhist principles for modern practitioners.
Questions
What meditation technique does the Centre teach?
We teach Vipassana meditation as practiced in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, including Anapana respiration as foundational training.
Are courses open to everyone?
Yes, our ten-day courses welcome participants from all backgrounds, religions, and professions with no prior experience required.
What are the course requirements?
Participants must commit to the full ten-day residential program, observing silence and ethical guidelines throughout the course period.
How often are courses held?
Residential courses typically run monthly at IMC UK, with specific dates published in advance for planning purposes.
What facilities are available?
The Wiltshire centre provides accommodation, meditation halls, and communal spaces in a rural setting conducive to intensive practice.
How to register for a course?
Registration details and application forms are available through our website, with course bookings processed in advance of scheduled dates.
