It’s all change again, as the months of solitary lockdown in one place, give way to travel and company. The ground shifts again and we negotiate our way to a new new normal, with face masks and the opportunity for a hug within a bubble. Since the beginning of lockdown, I have been living in…
Though the air is full of singing my head is loud with the labor of words. Though the season is rich with fruit, my tongue hungers for the sweet of speech. Though the beech is golden I cannot stand beside it mute, but must say ‘It is golden,’ while the leaves stir and fall with…
Last week was one of contrasts, worlds colliding, working my edge. Having completed my second year of the MSc Studies in Mindfulness I feel relief, surprise that I managed to get this far, and celebration at the progress both in knowlede and practice. All of this tinged with a hint of sadness at finishing our…
Recently I have become aware of activities that I do that become a complete immersion, away from my habitual, incessant thinking patterns. Anything that is powerful enough to enable me to become totally present and not drown in my ruminations about the past, worries about the future and self-criticism comes along like a sigh of…
In our mindfulness training we learn how the mind has a tendency to be negative. Rick Hanson calls this a ‘negativity bias’. He explains how negative thoughts stick to the mind like Velcro, and yet positive thoughts slide off like Teflon. Over evolution, our minds were trained to react to threats more than opportunities. Rick…
Online Practice Day Sunday 21st June 2020, 10am – 4pm Led by Choden THIS PRACTICE DAY IS NOW FULLY BOOKED, TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST PLEASE CONTACT INFO@MINDFULNESSASSOCIATION.NET STEPPING INTO YOUR COMPASSIONATE POWER This retreat day is inspired by the wisdom of the great bodhisattva of compassion, Chenrezig (Avalokitsvara). We will explore how…
Online Practice Day Saturday 9th May 2020, 10am – 4pm Led by Fay Adams On this retreat we will practice with the wisdom expressed in this Zen proverb: ‘Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself’. Most of us have habits written deeply into our mind and body which have us…
Today is my grandson’s birthday. He is 6. This is the first birthday I haven’t been with him. Usually I stay at their house overnight and surprise him in the morning when he wakes up. I’m usually helping out at his party. A photo on Facebook reminds me of the joy we felt at his…
I am struck by contrast in my life at the moment. On a day to day basis, I experience a peaceful, retreat like existence. I practice and teach sessions of meditation; mindfulness, compassion and insight. I walk the dogs by the river in this beautiful isolated valley. I work at my computer contributing to…