a-mindful-Christmas-Story

A Mindful Christmas Story

A boy of 5 was taken to see Father Christmas.  Father Christmas was in a grotto in a wood, accessed by a short train journey through woodland. Father Christmas asked the boy what he would like for Christmas.  The boy was a little phased by this question.  He paused.  He almost seemed embarrassed – then…

mindful-tears

Mindful Tears

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…

mindful-listening

Mindful Listening

Last week I had a lesson in mindful listening. It was half term.  I noticed that it transformed the usual places I inhabit and the activities I do from one of relative calm and spaciousness, to one of noise and busyness. I observed the chatter of children of all ages, some happy, some not so…

a-lesson-in-curiosity

A lesson in curiosity

Our mindfulness training teaches us the importance of being in the moment and to be curious. This week I had an intense, unexpected lesson in curiosity. My 5 year old grandson teaches me many things – but most of all, he teaches me how to view the world with the curiosity of a child, and…

who-are-you

Who Are You?

I’ve been asking myself that question recently.  Who am I? It’s a complicated thing it seems. Last week I caused myself and others to suffer. Why?  Because I forgot my practice and I forgot who I was.  For a moment, I got caught up in lots of stressful human stuff and it completely took over…

Weeding out Unworthiness

So, this is a tricky one – it’s present, so here goes.  Recently I have noticed my sense of unworthiness coming up more frequently than I’d like to admit! Tara Brach talks about “the trance of unworthiness” that we can find ourselves in! My teacher, Lama Yeshe tells me to “keep doing the weeding”.  What…

mindfully-invisible

Mindfully Invisible

I seem quite far removed from a ‘mindfully invisible’ nature experience last weekend whilst writing this in a coffee house at Stockholm airport. However, writing whilst travelling seems to be a common theme for mine and Heather’s blogs. So last weekend, despite being quite tired, my friend and I decided to take a short walk…

lost in a vortex

Lost in a Vortex

Life is good.  And yet, I seem to allow myself to suffer.  The cause of my suffering? My mind of course! I notice I have been quite serious lately. A bit weighed down with my negative thought patterns. The resistance in this feels like sticky dark treacle clouding my mind – clinging to negative thoughts. …