Meditation: It's Not What You Think

Meditation is an ancient practice that is becoming increasingly popular.

 

Here I answer the “Who, What, Why’s” of meditating for those who may be considering beginning a practice, and those who simply want a reminder as to the value of their existing meditation practice.

Space

Did you know that roughly 60% of the human body is water?

Obviously this depends on many things mainly pertaining to lean tissue versus fatty tissue since fat contains less water. So things like fitness, weight, age and gender can all effect the percentage of water making up your body.  But roughly speaking we are all around 60% water.

{Happy} New Year

It's the first morning of 2016.

2015 has been a bit of a weird one for me.  I won't say it was a disaster.  Not completely catastrophic.

Because I like to keep things in perspective.

Marching On

Woah.

Would 2015 just settle the hell down?  Why is time travelling at like super-morph-speed this year?  What's it all about?

Hello February!

Since saying Goodbye to January I've had a real burst of enthusiasm.  A little pop of energy.  A sudden feeling of needing to get on with things.  To get started.

Seeking Balance

I have been feeling so out of balance lately.  Swirly.  Not in a good boysenberry ripple choc top at the movies kind of way.  More in a can't find clear space in my mind or in my life kind or way.  

My Happiness

In the aftermath of Nick Kyrgios winning his fourth round match at Wimbledon all eyes were on the teenager.  He carries the sporting hopes of the nation now, and I love the fact that he's as much the medias darling for appearing "normal" as actually winning.  But while all the hype and hyberbole was being heaped on him something else was happening. A champion had lost, in an upset, to a newcomer.  

Little Things

Every now and then I notice that the little things in life become bigger than they need to.

The last week and a half has been one of these weeks.  I don't know why this is.  Why all of a sudden do I feel overwhelmed and on edge?  Nothing major has changed and yet small things become a tipping point.  Frustration is at the ready.

Mindful In May - The (Nearly) Halfway Mark

The gorgeous Mindful in May Challenge is at Day 11 and I thought it was time to take stock a little.  To have a look at what I've achieved, what I've struggled with and what I've learned so far on the path.

Mindful In May

 I was lucky enough to be offered a ticket to the Mindful In May Launch last Wednesday night.  That's what happens when you count someone as awesome as Kate James among your closest friends.

Riding the Wave

Sometimes I feel like I'm operating at a higher frequency.  

By which I mean not that I am somehow above anybody else, but rather that my needles are jumping.  

Pleasure Vs Happiness - Is Discomfort The Key?

So a while ago at meditation we discussed happiness on a few different levels.  Like, what is happiness?  How does it differ from pleasure and enjoyment?  What makes us happy?  Should we pursue happiness and if so, how do we do that?

Four Days, Six Revelations, One Heart

The stunning meditation room at Maitripa Contemplation Centre

  

As you know I've been on retreat.

It was a couple of weeks ago now and with a new kinder term and a couple of colds under my belt I'm well and truly back in the "real world".  

Going Back

The gorgeous grounds at Maitripa Contemplative Centre

This week I've returned from my second silent meditation retreat.

I am still processing everything that I got out of the retreat but for now let me share with you the details of the retreat, where it is, how it works.  Because if you can, you must.  

Practicing Gratitude

Sometimes gratitude does not come easily.  There's a lot to be grateful for and yet sometimes the complaints come way more readliy.

Sometimes it's an effort to shake off the negative perspective and seek out the positive.

And sometimes that effort seems mammoth.

The Tethered Elephant

Tuesday nights I go to a local Buddhist Institute for meditation and teachings.  Well, that is I try to when life is on the straight and narrow.  

Retreat into Silence

Towards the end of last year I went on retreat.  A silent meditation retreat.

Now I have friends who find the very thought of this abhorrent.  Who would rather stick pins in their eyes than embark on something like this.