rich-tapestry-of-life

Rich Tapestry of Life

So I am here at the start of week three of being home alone and it is going pretty well.   This weekend I had an online meeting with my mum and my sister Helen and a long FaceTime chat with my daughter. Helen’s husband did a live DJ set on FaceTime on Saturday afternoon…

level 1 Mindfulness

Careful What You Wish For

I was looking through some notes on intention and motivation this morning and I came across some notes from doing a Charlie Morley golden shadow exercise from his book ‘Dreaming Through Darkness’. The golden shadow is made up of our good qualities and best aspirations, which often we are not able to admit to ourselves.…

allowing-ourselves-to-be-human

Allowing Ourselves to be Human

On Saturday 28th March I’m leading an online practice day with the theme allowing ourselves to be human. There will be the more familiar practices, plus some including a focus on our common humanity. I’m looking forward to appreciating the messy beauty of being human together. In the past when I’ve practiced self-compassion, I’ve focussed first…

reflections-on-having-a-cold

Reflections on having a cold

This past week I have been ill with a very nasty cold virus – not ‘the’ virus. However, ‘the’ virus certainly had an effect. I felt much more self-conscious. I was due to speak at the Mindful Living Show on Friday, but instead stayed at home. Partly, this was because I felt a bit too…

self-centred-me

Self Centred Me

This week I am worrying about the impact of the coronavirus. My annual trip to India in April is not going ahead due to the teachings being cancelled because of the coronavirus. Also, Rob has cancelled his trip to the UK and so won’t be with us at our 10th anniversary celebrations in May, which…

its-all-in-the-mind

All in the mind

As I practice mindfulness, compassion and insight meditation more and more I recognise more and more how I create my own reality. If I wake up with the expectation that the day should be one way and it turns out a different way, I can easily create a reality that is unpleasant for me and…

mindful-reflections-on-change

Mindful Reflections on Change

Having just attended the funeral of my dear friend, being in the process of changing my life quite drastically and talking with Heather about the huge changes in her life, I find myself on a train to London feeling rather reflective. At the weekend I was also stunned by the news of the sudden death…

all-change

All Change

I have moved into my new cottage this week. It is a thirty minute walk from Samye Ling and under 10 minutes’ drive. I am warm and comfy in my new home, which has everything I need to live well. The move went as well as could be expected, my two dogs Holly and Nutmeg…

retreat-time

Retreat Time

I am away now to a bungalow by the sea for four weeks. I am treating myself to some solitary retreat time with two of my dogs, Holly and Nutmeg. Then I have some holiday time at Christmas and New Year with family. After the new year I have some more solitary retreat time. Then…