Inquisitive minds often ask me how best to practice mindfulness. My answer is usually the same and usually takes the asker by surprise; “You are doing it right now”. Of course this prompts an “Am I?” type response. Mindfulness is a life discipline derived from Buddhism and rooted in ancient Tibetan philosophy. But if one…Read More
No Smartphone for a Day: A Challenge for the Modern World
It won’t be long before all we need to do is hold up a palm and swipe our skin to make calls and access Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all the other social networks. Considering just how much of an extension of the mind and body smartphones and tablets have become, it’s the next logical…Read More
What Are Mindfulness Exercises & How Can They Change Your Life?
Mindfulness exercises are becoming increasingly popular as a holistic way to temper stress and anxiety, and as an alternative form of meditation to tame the ‘monkey mind’. Being mindful simply means being fully present and aware in the moment; to bring about clear seeing of the true reality of the now in a non-judgmental way.…Read More
How to Stop Taking the Office Home on the Weekend
Whether you travel to an office or work from home in a spare room, like most people in the modern day you probably suffer from “taking your work home ” syndrome. Whether you can’t stop mentioning stuff that happened at work to your partner, or can’t stop checking emails on your phone when helping the…Read More
Feeling Stressed or Irritated? Try This Mindfulness Magic Trick
Are you feeling stressed or irritated? Are you about to scream out loud or pull your hair out? Then try this little mindfulness trick to re-centre and re-balance. Whenever you feel like you can’t settle down to get anything done, whenever you feel bothered and irritated but can’t quite put your finger on why, whenever…Read More
Seeing Emptiness, Have Compassion
About 10 years ago, one of my teachers said something that has formed an integral part of my life ever since. He was speaking on the subject of dealing with aggression, hate and prejudice, and said, “Seeing emptiness, have compassion”. Those simple words resonated with me immediately; perhaps because he made this act of loving-kindness sound…Read More
What to Say When Someone Mocks Your Mindfulness Meditation
One of the most valuable lessons I was taught regarding meditation was to never preach, to never become caught up in the promotion of its benefits. I was told to go about my meditation practice quietly and humbly. Not to hide it, but not to try and convince others that they should be doing it too; only to…Read More
What if This is a Dream? [Why My Dad’s Answer Changed My Life]
I was seven years old when I said something that my Dad says has stayed in his memory for life, something he stills remembers word for word like it was yesterday. I remember it vividly too. I was sitting in the back of my Dad’s car, driving to the corner store where we’d stop on…Read More
Why You Should Not Set a New Year’s Resolution & What to Do Instead
The New Year is upon us, which means it’s time to make a resolution or two. So what will it be this year: lose weight, again; promise yourself a change of job, again; earn more money, perhaps? The truth is, most of us will do the same thing we always do: set some goals that…Read More
5 Things You Can Do to Bring Joy to a Life This Christmas
December can be a pretty stressful month. Between the parties, the gift shopping, the decorations, the baking, the writing of cards and managing the expectations of family and close friends, it’s no wonder we end up asleep on the sofa come Christmas day afternoon. But amidst the madness, pause for thought and focus on the…Read More