My mindfulness journey. I’ve taken a while to decide where to start this story. Breaking with tradition I’m beginning in the middle when I went along to an introduction to meditation at Newcastle Buddhist Centre in 2001. I’d just broken up with my partner and had moved back to Tyneside. I was ready for [...]
When I became redundant In the first 30 months of this decade I was fortunate enough to be made redundant not once but twice. Not that it felt in any way positive. The definition of the word itself says it all; Redundant Adjective Not or no longer needed or useful: Superfluous My story Now I [...]
The Seven attitudes of Mindfulness and redundancy For many of us the past six years have been pretty tough. We are increasingly asked to do more with less resources and often for less money. Increasingly, employment is less secure and the fear of redundancy hangs in the air. For others redundancy is a stark reality [...]
A new beginning The picture above was taken at the beginning of November 2015, as part of a planned photo shoot for publicity pictures, it was my second day full time at Mindful Therapies. I had very little sleep the previous night, I had woken at 2am in extreme pain, nauseous and with a fever. [...]
The power of silliness We should never underestimate the value of being a little silly from time to time - a sense of humour really goes a long way. We often take ourselves far too seriously and this can get in the way of us having perspective and being happy. Here are my top [...]
Finding The Pleasant in the Unpleasant A couple of weeks ago I experienced a colonoscopy. Like most people I don't particularly relish the thought of an invasive medical procedure. However, throughout the experience I was able to find elements that were pleasant. In almost any circumstances we may be able to use our mindfulness practice [...]
Choice Finding the moment of choice. I am slightly obsessed with choice. Not the pointless choices – like which shampoo to buy – but the little moments of choice in everyday life that help us to cope with life’s difficulties. Choice can be complicated and subtle and choice can be really [...]
We are currently looking at the five traditional hindrances to meditation. These are five challenges that often come up, and seem to get in the way of our meditation practice. These are: craving and desire; anger and ill-will; restlessness and anxiety; sloth and torpor; and doubt and indecision. This week we will be exploring the [...]
We are currently looking at the five traditional hindrances to meditation. These are five challenges that often come up, and seem to get in the way of our meditation practice. These are: craving and desire; anger and ill-will; restlessness and anxiety; sloth and torpor; and doubt and indecision. This week we will be exploring the [...]
