THE Odiyana Buddhist Centre is running a five-week course on finding happiness though meditation.

The classes will be held at Holmes Chapel Library on Monday nights at 7.30pm and run from September 4. Each class comprises two meditations and a talk, followed by discussion over tea and biscuits.

“Usually we find it difficult to control our mind,” said a centre spokesman.

“If things go well our mind is happy, but if they go badly it immediately becomes unhappy. If we get what we want we become excited.

“On the other hand, if we do not get what we want, or if we lose something that we like, we become despondent or irritated.

“Such fluctuations of mood arise because we are too closely involved in the external situation.

“We are like a child making a sandcastle who is excited when it is first made but becomes upset when it is destroyed by the incoming tide.

“By training in meditation we create an inner space that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances.

“We develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency.

“If our mind is peaceful we shall be free from worries and mental discomfort but if our mind is not peaceful we shall find it difficult to be happy even if we are surrounded by the very best conditions.”

For further details call 01606 77034 or visit meditationincheshire.org