What does it mean to be a Buddhist in the modern world? How does Buddhist practice meet our lives? Sangha stories are a collection of personal reflections, from people across the community. Hear about journeys of growth and transformation, and explore what’s meaningful to people at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre.
JUNE 2025 – BECOMING A MITRA: MAISIE
Following the recent Mitra ceremonies, we asked Maisie, what this step meant to her and what she enjoys about the Birmingham Buddhist Centre.
show moreI started meditating with the uni society (having had very little experience of doing so, or of Buddhism in general.) Fundamentally, I loved the sense of connection within the group, and when they said there would be more of that at the Birmingham Buddhist centre I started going along. It’s hard to summarise really what I’ve got from going to the centre – it’s given me so much. It’s a bit tongue and cheek but my life with Buddhism is just that little bit brighter, quite literally. The mundane starts to unravel itself a bit (slowly but noticeably), and things start making a lot of sense where they were once not so clear.
I’ve never had much sense of a higher purpose or goal, but the one of freedom is something that feels very grounded and therefore appealing to me. On top of all the dharmic intricacies, the community around the centre is so special. Each time I visit I feel fully embraced and welcomed and this is in no doubt because of the wonderful people the centre surrounds itself with – a community I felt honoured to join by becoming a mitra!
I wanted to make this commitment because I know I’m only a few steps into the path, and I already feel the difference in the way in which I relate to the world and the beings inhabiting it… one can only imagine what enlightenment would/will (?) feel like!!
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JUNE 2025 – BECOMING A MITRA: IAN
The word ‘Mitra’ means friend and this is a step that marks a deepening of commitment, to living a life based on compassion and wisdom and doing that within this spiritual community. Following the recent Mitra ceremonies, we asked Ian, what this step meant to him?
show moreBecoming a Mitra wasn’t just a step; it was a deepening of my commitment to a path that has brought immense richness into my life. The twin pillars of meditation and sangha have been incredibly supportive, developing my ability to connect with my inner self and the wider community. What I truly celebrate about being a Buddhist is its incredible capacity to foster genuine connection among people.
There’s an inherent curiosity that permeates the practice, an openness to exploration, and a refreshing sense of fun that often surprises those outside the tradition. I continue to practice because it grounds me, informing my ability to live with congruence, to embrace adventure, and to navigate what I’ve come to see as a beautifully challenging path.
In my teenage years I’d dipped into books, absorbed snippets of wisdom, and felt a quiet certainty that there was something more, something essential, waiting to be fully explored. In my late 30s arrived and the centre beckoned, not just as a neighbour, but as a promise of the deeper understanding I felt I was drawn too.
It’s a journey of continuous growth, ever-unfolding, and always leading me towards greater authenticity and connection. This connection feeds my internal letting go, which has paradoxically, fueled a powerful surge of love and kindness, not just for others, but for myself. This newfound inner abundance naturally spills outwards. Externally, I find myself presenting as calmer, more grounded, and even more expressive.
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APRIL 2025 – ‘COMING HOME’ WITH SUDDHIMANI
Ahead of a retreat she’ll be leading in June, we met up with Suddhimani to explore her home, get an insight into some of her practice and find out what’s alive right now.
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