Paramananda (born John Wilson in 1955) is a highly respected British Buddhist teacher, author, and senior member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He is particularly well known for his soulful and poetic approach to meditation, which emphasizes the connection between the mind and the body.+1
Here is an overview of his life, teachings, and work:
Background and Career
- Early Life: Born in North London, he was active in politics and worked as a psychiatric social worker for much of his twenties. He also volunteered for organizations like the Samaritans and worked in hospice care and drug detoxification.+1
- Ordination: He came into contact with the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly the FWBO) in 1983 and was ordained in 1985 by Sangharakshita.
- Leadership Roles: He served as the Chairman of the West London Buddhist Centre (1988–1993) and later helped establish and chair the San Francisco Buddhist Center (1994–2002).
Teaching Style and Philosophy
Paramananda is celebrated for a style that moves away from a purely "technical" or "head-centered" view of meditation. His teaching is often described as:
- Embodied: He focuses heavily on the "felt sense" of the body, encouraging practitioners to break down the barrier between thoughts and physical experience.
- Poetic and Mythic: He frequently uses poetry, stories, and metaphors to describe the meditative experience, making it more accessible and emotionally resonant.
- Relational: He emphasizes that meditation is not just about personal isolation but about how we relate to others and the world around us.
Published Works
He has written several popular books that are considered staples for many meditation students:
- Change Your Mind: A practical and best-selling guide to the traditional Buddhist meditations (the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana).
- A Deeper Beauty: An exploration of the relationship between Buddhism and the arts.
- The Body: Part of "The Art of Meditation" series, focusing on somatic awareness.
- The Myth of Meditation: His more recent work (2019) which critiques the idea of meditation as a "self-improvement" project and advocates for it as a way of simply being.
He continues to lead intensive retreats internationally and is a regular teacher at the West London Buddhist Centre and various retreat centers like Rivendell and Dhanakosa.