Traditionally, October has been celebrated by poets and scribes for its vibrant colours and the moment of reprieve that stands between the extremities of summer and winter. It can be like a pause, a time to take stock, gather the energy and gradually make both an internal and a physical turn inwards. These colours of…
Recently, I have been very busy conducting research for an assignment for the MSc in Studies in Mindfulness. The area of research that I have been focusing on is comparative mindfulness/insight traditions. In particular, I have been analysing Buddhist, Christian and Secular methods. As you can imagine, there is a rich diversity of practices and…
Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing Lama Yeshe Rinpoche speak about applying our mindfulness practice to our awareness of the environment. He spoke of mindful food consumption. In particular, he spoke of reducing the amount of food waste in our homes. He also spoke of planting trees, recycling and conserving the energy we use…
I have just started reading a book by Jack Kornfield titled, After the Ecstasy, The Laundry. It was recommended to me by quite a few people, and while I have owned it for the 6 months or so, I am only getting to it now. However, picking up this book in the month of January…
Welcome to a brand new day! A brand new year, even! And like our sitting practice, intention and motivation is especially important at this time. First, we need to recognize the direction that it is that we want to move towards (intentionality) and the reasons why we want to make this shift (motivation). So, how…
I recently had the good fortune to teach on Module 2 of the Mindfulness Practitioner course up at Samye Ling in October with Heather and Kathy. First of all it was great to teach alongside Heather and Kathy again and right from the first weekend it was an easy prospect to be on the same team. Teaching with…
I Am Prisoner in My Own Mind By Nick Williams: A ‘Just Blog’ Competition Entry I am a prisoner in my own mind. I am in a prison in my mind and I can’t get out. I don’t look like I’m in prison, but I am. I might look as if I’m…
This month marks the start of a new year long course that is being run by Dr. Rick Hanson, who happens to be the author of our book club selection ‘Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom’. (Join in on the conversation on member’s website: http://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/Membership.aspx). The course is called The Foundations…
This week’s Mindfulness Challenge is the ‘Seven ‘Minute’ Itch’. I have been reading the book ‘Breath by Breath: The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation’ by Larry Rosenburg. He tells a wonderful story about being bitten by a mosquito while under the instructions to stay perfectly still: At the beginning of one morning sitting, after a…