Inner peace from the inner city

By Kimberley Boak
BBC Cumbria contributor

Buddhists believe that the flags send the inscribed prayers to heaven

Just off a busy main road in the city is probably the last place you'd expect to find a Buddhist centre.

Yet that's exactly where Carlisle's Uma Kadampa Buddhist Centre can be found.

The centre is located in the Upperby area and local people are being encouraged to explore the Buddhist way of life.

They can pop in to one of the centre's open days or visit one of their events in the city centre.

Negative thoughts

Kelsang Lharchog, a Buddhist who lives and works in Carlisle's centre, first became involved in Buddhism after finding it a great relief from everyday stress: "I had a lot of stress in my life and work and started to attend Buddhist classes. What they said at the classes really made a lot of sense to me."

The New Kadampa Buddhists main teachings focus on meditation and training the brain to think positively. Through practice, you are taught to push away negative thoughts and any stress in your life.

...happiness isn't something that comes from buying new things, excelling in a job or being in a relationship. Kelsang Lharchog

Lharchog's life has changed for the better since taking up the New Kadampa teachings, finding she rarely gets stressed and as a result, has much more productive days: "I get much more done nowadays because I don't wake up frustrated or worried about the day ahead."

However, she says she is still learning to completely overcome strong emotions such as "anger, frustration and wanting things."

Just 10 minutes

Lharchog was keen to point out that anyone who is interested in learning more about New Kadampa Buddhism does not have to devote their lives to it: "We're here to offer everything, from practising meditation, to just being somewhere to come for a cup of tea and relax. People can come as much or as little as they like."

Even those who lead hectic lives can benefit from taking just 10 minutes out of their day to have some quiet time to meditate and tension can be greatly reduced. Lharchog continued: "I think the main thing I have gained from becoming a New Kadampa Buddhist is learning that happiness isn't something that comes from buying new things, excelling in a job or being in a relationship. It's something that comes from inner peace - that's what happiness is - being at peace with yourself."