My Top 10 Books For Cultivating Mindfulness

Don’t get me wrong now, cultivating mindfulness is a practice, something that has to be experienced and cultivated through regular meditation, it’s not a concept or a theory. However, coupled with a regular mindfulness meditation practice, some books by brilliant teachers and authors can really enhance both your understanding and practice of mindfulness…Here are 10 of my faves:

  1. Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagan

Mindfulness is adapted from Buddhist teachings, and while you certainly don’t need to be a Buddhist to practice mindfulness, understanding some of the key concepts that Buddha taught is helpful. … Keep reading...

Read More

What I’ve Learned About Letting Go…(& How You Can Too)

Lately in my mindfulness meditation practice I’ve been tapping into a certain quality of attention….it’s difficult to put into words but if feels something like a beautiful allowance… A serene willingness to just “let be” whatever’s occurring in the moment – whether that’s shallow breathing, tight muscles, a restless, complaining mind or even feelings of bliss or rapture,  just letting it be ok, without trying to push, pull or change it in anyway…and more than that even, it’s kind of like a loving embrace of whatever is showing up.

… Keep reading... Read More

How Yoga Made Me Realise I’m a Total Liar…

Yoga is not just about getting bendy in lycra or chanting weird mantras – it’s actually a deep and complex system to achieve happiness and union with the divine. Underpinning this system is a set of ethics and observeances (called the yamas and niyamas) that are essential for living a pure and stress-free life.

One of the yamas, is Satya or honesty.

Patanjali, the “father of Yoga,” teaches us that living a life of truth and honesty is essential on the path to spiritual union with our deepest self.… Keep reading...

Read More

5 Life-Changing Benefits of Going on a Retreat

In this world of too much and too fast, we all need to find conscious ways of slowing down and rediscovering what is truly important to us. As a meditation teacher, I believe taking a little time each day to meditate is essential for optimal mental health and happiness. And I believe the next best thing is taking some extended time, at least once a year, to completely disconnect from your everyday life and reconnect with your inner life, on a retreat.… Keep reading...

Read More

Compassion, Neuroscience and Donald Trump…

Donald trump compassion

So, the American election happened last week. Trump will soon be president of the most powerful country on Earth.

No matter what your political persuasion, one thing has become clear – there’s a huge ideological divide in western societies at the moment, and my hope is that we can try to make sense of this and not close our hearts to those who think differently to us.

I’ve gone through a range of emotions throughout this election.… Keep reading...

Read More