There is a practice in the Mindfulness Association Level 3 Insight training called – Resting in the Midst. It is my most valuable practice. I have used it before, when travel plans have gone awry, when I have found myself stuck in situations that seem impossible to get out of, when I am overfull with…
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…
I have spent this last week reflecting on how the current climate with the Coronavirus is making me feel, and ultimately, how I am responding to that. For me it began with some concern for the people who were at risk of dying of the virus. I know several people who suffer with their health…
This last weekend I have been teaching a weekend for mindfulness teachers on the subject of doing less and being more in enquiry, with my good friend Jan Mayor. It is a stand-alone weekend, but it is also in preparation for the Compassion Based Living Course teaching skills retreat in April. As training in compassion often…
I’m having one of those weeks when nothing is coming through in my mind to write about for this blog. Words are usually quite forthcoming but this week – nothing. I thought about writing about my visit to the zoo with my grandson. That was quite a mindful experience but I’m saving that for another…
This last weekend I have been teaching weekend three of our Mindfulness Level 1: Being Present course. This weekend we focus on preference and acceptance. One of the big things that comes up over this weekend is a habitual pattern that many of us have that we are not good enough. This habit can be…
At the end of November I was out for an impromptu dinner in a local restaurant. An elderly couple on another table caught my eye. I noticed them because they were wearing party hats. You know, the coloured paper ones you get in Christmas crackers. For some reason I couldn’t explain, it brought tears to…
You know when words slip out of your mouth and cause chaos? They cause an argument or some disruption. The words are often spoken without thinking, without consideration. You seem to hear them as if someone else said them. Then afterwards, the turmoil it has caused to yourself and others subsides. And there are no…
This weeks blog starts on a train back from the Mindfulness Association conference. Plotted up on the train for the next few hours back to London gives me a little reflection time of the past couple of days… I briefly glance at the few notes I have written down on and then catch a thought…