Our Story

Our beginnings

Calm in the City is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit community initiative dedicated to making contemplative practice — meditation, mindfulness and quiet reflection — accessible to all.

Founded in 2011, our work is grounded in three simple convictions: that inner calm is not a luxury but a necessity, that a calmer and more compassionate society begins with calmer individuals, and that calm is accessible to all.

What began as a small gathering of meditators at Kinfolk Café — a much-loved social enterprise in Melbourne — grew into a sustained and evolving community of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. In November 2011, we convened our first dialogue for leaders in partnership with Hub Melbourne and Deloittes Australia, featuring virtuoso jazz musician James Morrison and acclaimed drummer and percussionist David Jones.

Over time, our work expanded to include regular public meditation sessions at Federation Square (2015–2021), creating a consistent space for reflection and connection in the heart of the city.

Since its inception, Calm in the City has offered free weekly meditation sessions and convened dialogues and forums with leaders across business, faith and community life. These gatherings bring together diverse voices to explore ideas of reflection, connection and peace through online sessions, retreats, forums and public events.

Our Launch Video

Our launch video was kindly created by Leanne Hanley and captures the very beginnings of Calm in the City.

Our Community & Support

Calm in the City is supported by Brahma Kumaris Australia, and sustained by a wonderful community from all backgrounds, along with voluntary contributions and generous in-kind support.

We are grateful to our founding Ambassadors — Rev Dr Stephanie Dowrick, Professor Craig Hassed and James Morrison — for their early encouragement and continuing goodwill. Since then, our circle of friends and supporters has grown quietly and steadily, as reflected in the breadth of our programs and the communities we serve.

Behind the scenes, there are those who continue to guide, encourage and support in ways that may not always be visible — but are always felt. Calm in the City would not exist without them. They know who they are, and we are deeply grateful.

All Calm in the City activities are offered free of charge, reflecting our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City activities in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.