Minutes earlier, he had told me the title. I had tried to memorise it but it was long and the words floated away.

It was an unusual place to have a conversation about a book – we  were in adjoining lanes at a swimming pool and resting at the deep end.

We were in a two-lane pool at a golf and spa resort that is only known to holiday-makers staying there, or locals. I liked the idea of the pool being hidden from tourists.

I had started going swimming to feel the warm water massaging away the tightness in my shoulder that had dogged me for too long.

Walking into the pool, the man told me his name, I responded and he introduced me to the swimmer in my lane. He adjusted his goggles on top of his head and after some small talk, he shared excerpts of his life story – having a farm, dabbling in race horses and owning an award-winning cafe. I always like hearing people’s stories and our conversation continued.

I mentioned teaching meditation and was surprised that this piqued his interest. We spoke about mindfulness and the power of the breath to relax. Then it was time for me to swim. He turned to chat to a woman in his lane, their voices reaching me as they swapped stories. I sensed a familiarity between them, of having met here before.

In our next conversation which was at the deep end of the pool, the man mentioned having bi-polar and how he had lost too many years on a roller-coaster of extreme highs and the deepest of lows. He was diagnosed in his mid-50s and medication now keeps him feeling evenly balanced emotionally.

“I was sixteen when it started. I lost so many years of my life,” he murmured, wanting to mask the feeling of regret for a life not lived as fully as he would have liked. “My mind still wanders back to the past.” He ran his fingers through his grey thinning hair that was already swept back from his forehead. I nodded. “But I know to focus on my breath and come into the present moment.”

“That’s perfect,” I said gently. “To focus on the moment and see the wonder of  what is around you. What you see, hear and feel.”   The words rolled easily from me.

“I want to give you a book,” he said. “It’ll be a classic. It only takes ten minutes to read. It’s in my car.”

My body felt hollow. I never like taking anything from anybody, let alone someone I don’t know. My mind was surprisingly calm. I decided to go along with the idea. After all, this was a resort. It was midday and the car park was always busy. He seemed to be known at the pool by other swimmers.

Trust, I told myself. Intuitively, I knew everything would be fine.

“Meet you back here,” he said.

“Okay.” I slid over the lane rope and walked slowly up the stairs from the pool. My mind was clear.

By the time I reached the changing rooms, I knew what I would do.

As we walked along the path leading to the first set of internal stairs at the resort, I talked light-heartedly about towns I had visited, mentioning Agnes Waters, 1770 and Maryborough. He had not been to any of them.

Down the second set of stairs, we both agreed about having to keep working on ourselves, whether that was mental or physical health – or both.

We came to the car park and I suggested in the same light tone, “I’m happy to take a photo of the cover. Then I’ll buy the book.”

“No,” he said. “I have the book. You’re into meditation, I know you will appreciate it.”

I stood in front of his white SUV as he opened the back passenger door, leaned in and fossicked around.

“It’s okay if you can’t find the book,” I said.

He went around and opened the car boot.

“I knew I had a copy.”

He handed me the book, neatly gift-wrapped in light brown paper with coloured ribbon around it.

I was stunned. I had expected a used copy. This was a real gift – and from a stranger.

“I have given this book to many people. They tell me that it changes their lives.”

What changed for me at that moment was the generosity of giving and for me to know that it is perfectly okay to accept a gift.

How easily we are suspicious when trust is a strong trait to cultivate. Though I also wondered if living in a small town rather than a big city makes a difference about being able to trust, particularly in a place where most people have come from somewhere else and wish to connect.

It felt wonderful to be gracious in accepting a gift, especially when it comes from the heart of a stranger finding his way in life. As we all are.

And he was right. The book is delightful. “Simple but profound,” I told him when we saw each other at the pool several weeks later. “I keep the book on a small coffee table.”

He smiled. “I knew you’d appreciate it.”

** And the book? It is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by  Charlie Mackesy.

Share your stories of a special gift at: eileen@meditationpathways.com.au **

My prompt for writing now came after hearing two comments that made me wonder how you are viewing 2021.

A woman I chatted with in an outdoor dining area in a small country town wondered what 2020 had taught us. A week later, an acquaintance declared the she couldn’t wait for 2020 to be over.

Last year was incredibly challenging in many aspects and for many people. Of course, elsewhere in the world, fear and loss of life still grip many countries.

From a spiritual perspective, challenges can be seen as gifts that help you to learn and grow. When you reflect on the past year, did some positive things emerge for you?

Here are a few of my happenings that come to mind…

At home I looked at the meals I created – for I love cooking – and I often declared aloud, ‘we are so abundant’. In the next moment, I thought: ‘how lucky I am’.

My home is filled with natural light. Each time I walked past a window, I was drawn to the trees and colourful plants outside. Switching the negative dial by focusing on what you have creates feelings of contentment and gratitude.

On my birthday I started making lunch at 10.30am and we ate almost four hours later. I wasn’t making a feast or following a difficult recipe. I was drawn off track by some friends phoning me and they had time to chat. Being at home meant slowing down, thinking of others and keeping in touch regularly to show, ‘I’m here for you’.

My neighbours who are much younger than me would phone to check if I needed anything. Out walking, I talked with people, who have lived in the immediate neighbourhood for years, but I had never met them before. Each connection enveloped me in kindness and care and I felt part of a community.

All were small, everyday happenings but they are memorable – not because they are newsworthy but because they touched my heart.

Your inner reality is shaped and influenced by your values, beliefs, attitudes and experiences in your outer world.

When your heart is peaceful and open, you approach the external world in the same way, and view any turmoil with greater understanding and insight.

You may not like what is happening but when you are unable to change the circumstances, then you may like to choose to be kind to yourself, show acceptance and focus on the good in your life.

Of course, I am excluding instances when your values and personal safety are threatened. And, it isn’t about telling yourself to be positive – it is about actually feeling the goodness and happiness or whatever the emotion may be. Feel the emotion in your heart or flowing through all layers of your being.

Also, be aware that when you change your inner energies, these encircle the lives of people you spend time with. In turn, their life energies are stimulated and they create change, perhaps without them even wondering how it happened.

As you go through 2021 decide how you would like your inner world to be.

You cannot change whatever dramas are portrayed in news bulletins. However, you are in charge of how you step out into your world each day, and what you think, say and do.

As for 2021, I wish you what I experienced last year – abundance, gratitude, kindness, care and love – and everything that nourishes your heart and soul, and allows your inner light to shine brightly.

** I would enjoy hearing you stories and insights. Share them with me at: eileen@meditationpathways.com.au **

Perhaps you are eager to check your emails or scroll through the latest hardships sweeping Australia and the world. How does that set you up for the day when you are taking on despair, fear or outrage about the latest disasters or senseless attacks on human life?

You can take a different and more mindful approach that will take only a few minutes – or as long as you wish.

SEVEN STEPS TO A MINDFUL WELCOME 

STEP 1: After waking up, close your eyes really gently and notice the delight of being nestled in bed.

STEP 2: Become aware of the gentle flow of your breathing and allow feelings of peace to flow through you with each breath.

STEP 3: Gently stretch your body and, instead of noticing any aches or twinges, have gratitude for all that your body does for you

STEP 4: Smile several times, enjoying the softness flowing through your face and lightness in your heart.

STEP 5: Tune into nature and listen to the birds chirping patterns of calls and responses. Such light, happy sounds are captivating and inevitably fill you with the energies of lightness and gentleness.

STEP 6: Come back to yourself and focus on your heart space. Dip into its softness. Then affirm what you would like for your day. You don’t need to think about this – you simply allow your inner voice or intuition to lead the way and finish the phrase: ‘May I be filled with…’

STEP 7: As you sit with your intention for a few moments or more, notice how it boosts your outlook about yourself and the day ahead.

When you are centred and feel quiet within, you act and see things differently. When you think about what you wish to accomplish during the day you feel calm and sure about yourself.

When you scan through the news, you are not taking on the drama of events or entering the ‘blame game’ directed at politicians or world leaders. For you know that you cannot change what someone has done but you can choose to act – rather than react.

During the day recall the gift you have given yourself of your affirmation.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take time to stop whatever you are doing, follow your breath into your heart several times and then repeat your affirmation, allowing it to flow deep within.

When you create a space of stillness, your body relaxes and you also see a situation with greater clarity, insight and understanding – and that is a wonderful way to go through each day.

Discover how to bring mindfulness, peace and gratitude into your life at our meditation courses starting in February.
More details: https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/beginners-and-intermediate/

In the lead up to this remark, she had told me she was so stressed and outlined all that had been happening in her life.

Of course, the caller needed to decide what suited her best though she could also reflect what was more important to her – socialising or her health.

I felt that a six-week meditation course would assist her to deal with life with greater peace, clarity and insight. With this in mind, I gently suggested that she may have time for both meditation and lunch on the one day but she insisted that this wouldn’t work because she liked discovering new restaurants away from suburban Melbourne.

Such a scenario is quite common – people feeling anxious and overwhelmed by life’s challenges and then declaring that they don’t have the time to create changes unless it suits their weekly schedule. However, life is about the choices people make and where their priorities lie.

Often they are so busy ‘doing’ that they never connect with the deep quietness within to gain new insights and really discover themselves as they nurture their body, mind and soul. This can be done through various practices like meditation, yoga or tai chi.

Three tips for creating space to bring meditation into your life

1. Make an appointment with yourself… At one of my courses, a management consultant would schedule her weekly one-hour meditation class into her diary.

Making a specific time for meditation is similar to putting aside a particular time to see a doctor or attend a meeting.

2. But, I don’t have enough time… It seems as though life can be quite a whirl of busyness. However, the benefits of learning meditation far outweigh the time it takes.

During meditation your heart rate slows, blood pressure lowers and your body, mind and emotions are in balance. And, afterwards, you tend to feel relaxed, alert and happier.

When you feel that you are flowing through life rather than being driven by life, you achieve so much more … and this makes you feel as though you have more time in your day.

3. How about some self-love?… Whatever you may be seeking or searching for in life, meditation enables you to connect with yourself and tap into the source of your ideas, passion for life and intuition.

From the quiet nurturing space, you emerge feeling good about yourself and seeing life differently.

Learning to meditate is a beautiful way to honour yourself and reconnect with life with greater clarity and insight.

Experience the benefits of mindfulness meditation at our courses starting in April.
More details: https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/beginners-and-intermediate/

The comment surprised me. I rarely talk to friends about meditation because it usually isn’t on their radar of self-help.

Also, I prefer not to be seen as a crusader… though everyone who comes to my classes knows that is precisely how I sound because I am passionate about the wellbeing benefits of meditation.

Chris told me that his psychologist had suggested some breathing practices to ease anxiety and his busy mind. He was seeking a little guidance and I was happy to help.

This was the second instance in a fortnight of a friend, aged 70-plus, seeking some advice. In Jane’s* case, she was desperately wanting to stop her chattering mind and had turned to complementary healthcare.

For both friends, their session achieved the same outcomes – they felt quieter within, noticed how abdominal breathing relaxed their body and knew they could easily use the series of simple practices at home.

Your mind will always take charge if you allow this to happen.

You have an ego voice – a talkative inner critic that busily analyses, comments and judges everything that is happening in your life.

Psychologist John Selby suggests it is easy to become caught in a continuing mental cycle, where worrying thoughts provoke anxious feelings and behaviours and, in turn, these responses provoke more worrying thoughts.

Constant episodes of anxiety and stress impact the body’s physiology leading to health issues like high blood pressure, fatigue, cell damage, reduced immunity and gastrointestinal problems.

Dr Selby says the cycle of worry and stress can be broken by shifting your attention to the present moment by doing meditation. This reduces left-brain activity and brings both hemispheres of the brain into balance.

He asserts that when your ego voice is busy, it is difficult to have any “meaningful heart-to-heart encounter with the outside world or to tune into deeper feelings and intuitive insights that might be of great value”.

Four ways to ‘tame’ your busy mind

Psychotherapist Amy Morin, the author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, advises:

1. Recognise what you can do… When you  are worrying, recognise whether or not you have control over a situation. For instance, you cannot control how someone behaves or for things to go a particular way but you can control how you react.

2. Change your focus…  When you are continually replaying conversations or imagining catastrophic outcomes, acknowledge that your thoughts are unhelpful. Then go and do something so your brain focuses on something positive, enjoyable or productive.

3. A healthy plan… Create a plan for managing stress and anxiety that includes exercise, healthy eating and adequate rest and sleep.

4. Dealing with stress… Be aware of your stress levels and notice how you respond to challenging  situations. Also, pursue healthy ways to relieve stress by meditating, socialising and pursuing hobbies.

FINAL WORDS
Meditation may not stop your thoughts but it will slow them down – and this will reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.  Specific practices helpful in breaking  the cycle of thoughts include bringing mindfulness into your day, connecting to the breath and your senses, relaxing your body, having a gratitude practice and creating positive affirmations like, ‘I am calm’ or ‘I feel gentle and quiet’.

Experience the benefits of mindfulness meditation at our courses starting in mid-February.
More details: https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/beginners-and-intermediate/

* Names have been changed 

Was I in the moment when it happened? Probably not. I was in a hurry and also wondering if the cake would be tasty.

This was one of those last-minute cakes based on a recipe from a google search that met the criteria of  containing ingredients I already had in the pantry and fridge. The cake was for someone who had messaged me the previous evening that he was available to share his expertise on the ongoing saga of creating a new meditation space… so  the least I could do was to bake him a cake as a small ‘thank you’ for his time.

Afterwards, I reflected how there had been a sense of urgency in all I had done that morning. Though I only realised this later as I remembered how I  kept checking my watch to see if I was on schedule.

The incident certainly highlights the importance of being in the moment, especially at this busy time of year… so take a few minutes to consider the following…

Five easy ways to bring mindfulness into your day.

1.FOCUS on what you are doing during daily routines, like cleaning your teeth, washing your hands and having a shower. Notice the sensations of water, textures and scents.

The same applies to those numerous everyday chores – be mindful as you wash dishes, dust or hang our washing by connecting with the range of sensory perceptions and giving your mind a rest from the whirling thoughts.

2. STOP AND BREATHE when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

Feel the sensation of the in-breath flowing through you. Then sigh or breathe out gently. Do this sequence several times – and notice your body releasing and softening, and your mind becoming clearer.

3. SMILE and feel softness flowing through your face and your mind becoming quieter.

Feeling more balanced within enables you to choose how you wish to feel about what is happening at any particular moment. It is also the perfect time to ask yourself: ‘is this situation worth worrying about?’ And… usually it isn’t.

4. WAITING in a queue is the ideal time to bring your body and mind into balance.

Focus for several moments on the soles of your feet connecting to the floor and become aware of feeling more grounded. And, on days when your legs and feet are tired and sore, view them kindly and with a sense of gratitude for all they do in taking you wherever you wish to go.

5. TAKE TIME when socialising and really taste what you are eating or drinking.

Be mindful when having your first two bites of food or your first two sips of a drink – or do this for both. It is about noticing the sensory sensations of taste in your mouth. Also, consider making mindful eating and drinking a  daily practice whenever you are having a meal.

FINAL WORDS
On days when you feel that you are tight for time as I thought I was on that day of the incident… make your own health and wellbeing your priority by bringing mindfulness moments into your day, accept that certain things take longer to do than you imagine, be kind to yourself by working at a pace that suits you, and affirm to yourself: ‘everything is working out well’ – and it always does.

As for my blueberry cake, it was rather delicious!

You can start or continue your mindfulness meditation journey in February, 2019
More details: https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/beginners-and-intermediate/

She practised the new meditations several times daily and these helped her in the lead-up to surgery, during the chemotherapy treatment that also involved wearing an icy cold cap and in dealing with some of the side-effects of treatment.

However, what was most beneficial for Maria was that years earlier she had started incorporating meditation into her life.

Maria had a daily meditation practice that ranged from longer meditations when time allowed to brief snatches of meditative moments when life was more hectic. She also liked the group energy and atmosphere of our weekly classes.

Now, despite all that was happening with her cancer diagnosis, she could still reach and snuggle into the quiet inner space that brought her feelings of peace and acceptance. She was familiar with creative visualisation and liked the ideas presented of being filled with love, having courage and inner strength, and drawing upon her inner wisdom. She understood about directing healing and loving energy into her body.

She also incorporated some sound into her practice to express how she felt and she was surprised how this created calmness and eased pain – the concept of sound and healing was used extensively by the late Dr Mitchell Gaynor, a New York oncologist.

In his book, Sounds of Healing, Dr Gaynor indicates that  every illness has an emotional basis and sound – a combination of toning, chanting and the sounds of the crystal singing bowls – takes you ‘beyond the immediate experience of physical pain and emotional suffering’, and connects you with your authentic self.

He was also convinced that ‘when my patients use sound and meditation to achieve a sense of peace and spiritual ease, they also strengthen their physical body, which enables them to handle the side-effects of whatever medical treatment they are undergoing and advance the process of healing – emotional and immunological – that is as essential to their recovery as any drug or therapy I might offer them.’

When it comes to meditation, the reality is that many people are crisis meditators – they decide to learn meditation when they want to cope better with a major life issue or they have completed a meditation course but do not have a daily practice.

After a crisis passes, the typical response is to discard the meditation practice and return to the usual pattern of life – until the next drama emerges.

Unless you meditate regularly, it is easy to slip back into old habits and become overwhelmed by the stress and challenges of life. When this happens, your body reacts in numerous ways, for instance, shallow breathing, increased tension in the body, and a rise in heart and blood pressure. Such physical changes also compromises your immune system, and mental and emotional health.

When you meditate regularly, you deepen your connection with yourself on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

And like Maria, having an established meditation practice enables you to easily incorporate new concepts to better manage major life happenings and promote healing.

You can start or continue your meditation journey at our following classes..
Mindfulness meditation: casual sessions every Sunday, 10.30m
Meditation for Beginners Course: starts Tuesday 16 October, 7.30pm
Intermediate Meditation Course: starts Monday 15 October, 10.30am OR Monday 29 October, 7.45pm

More details: https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/beginners-and-intermediate/

As the lady sitting next to me related stories about her life, I was captivated by her gentle liveliness and sparkling clear eyes. For  a moment I wondered how old she could be.

We were on a flight to Queensland but I had noticed her earlier, at the airport, in a wheelchair. As I squeezed past her and slid into the window seat, it was natural to bridge any awkward moments by asking about her trip.

Her name was Mabel and she was spending six weeks with her son and daughter-in-law. Anecdotes flowed about her son, a retired secondary school teacher, and how past students were always stopping to talk to him. The words were spoken with that unmistakable pride reserved for a mother.

She took me on a mini-tour of her life – of being an only child, the places she had lived and her wonderful neighbours and how their kindness continued even after her husband had died. I understood why – she reflected this same trait.

A flight attendant asked Mabel if she needed anything which prompted her to describe how Virgin always cared for her so well, unlike another airline where she had been left to walk quite a distance to the airport lounge. A feat that highlighted her determination – a quality I soon discovered that she possessed in abundance.

I complimented Mabel on her beautiful diction and asked about her working life. She had been a private secretary. Without any prompting, she catalogued the jobs she left if she wan’t using all her secretarial skills, and then spoke fondly and proudly of employers who had appreciated her dedication. She tugged at the lapel of her jacket to show me a gold brooch that a boss had given her.

By this time, the plane had taken off. I looked out the window and thought about Mabel and her delight in the everyday happenings of life – and time drifted.

The next time Mabel spoke, about 20 minutes had passed, and she was telling a flight attendant that she was unable to move her left arm

As the flight diverted to Sydney for this medical emergency, a young doctor (also on the flight) hugged Mabel tightly, knowing that this gentle 93-year-old had suffered a massive stroke and would not last the night.

More than a month has passed since this flight but I still think of Mabel and how she enveloped me –  a stranger – to share her life story and how our brief connection had touched me so deeply.

I also think about the synchronicity of being allocated a different seat to the one I had initially chosen so I would sit next to Mabel.

I believe certain events never ‘just happen’ – there was a reason we came together.

Mabel had the opportunity to review her life and, as she did, she gave me a beautiful gift – to  love the simplicity of life and have gratitude.

In other sessions, participants have commented about having less neck pain and fewer headaches.

How does attending a meditation course create such wonderful physical benefits?

Most people who come to meditation want to stop their chattering mind and be less stressed. No mention is made about the aches and pains that they accept as just being part of their life.

However, I believe one of the most important aspects when learning meditation is to discover how to ‘live’ in a relaxed body.

Consider how your body, mind and emotions are intricately woven together into a continuum of experiences. When there is an imbalance in one area, your feelings of wellbeing also slip out of balance.

Similarly, when creating a meditation practice, recognise that there is more to this than simply sitting and seeking moments of stillness.

Before doing a meditation, take a few moments to reflect on your day – and notice how your body responds.

How do your neck and solders feel? Are they tight from sitting in front of a computer for hours or playing sport? How busy is your mind? Are you replaying the day’s events and conversations, or listing all the things you didn’t do? What is your breathing like? Is it tight and uneven or flowing gently?

If you are struggling with your body and mind then sitting in meditation will be even more challenging.

You need to take time to release your day by doing the following …

Stretch your body

Start by doing some gentle stretching. Make it fun – put on your favourite music and move mindfully for about 10 minutes.

Then standing still, notice how your physical body feels – is there any warmth, tingling or softness? Is your body starting to ‘let go’ of your busy day?

Relax your body 

Take your time as you gently tense and relax your body, from your feet to your face. You are creating softness in your body and stillness in your mind, and sometimes you may slip into sleep – and that is perfect because a nap is exactly what you need at that moment.

Now, you are ready to meditate

Now, when you  sit in meditation, your body is relaxed and your mind is more spacious – this is the perfect combination for flowing into moments of stillness.

Also, each time you sit down to meditate have no expectations and let go of wanting to achieve something.

Instead, just ‘be’ in the moment, and as you focus on your breath and body, view them kindly and with a sense of gratitude.

You can discover how to quieten your mind and experience feelings of peace and wellbeing at our mini-workshop series. Create Calmness is  on Sunday June 24 at 10.30am and repeated on Wednesday 27 June at 7.30pm. A Sound Session featuring the beautiful healing tones of the crystal singing bowls is on Sunday 1 July at 10.30am and repeated on Wednesday 4 July at 7.30pm.

I look forward to sharing this workshop series with you.

https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/workshops/

I have stopped taking medication. At first, coming off it was difficult, but now with the meditation practices, I know I am learning a new way to deal with things and it feels so right.’

When I received the above email, I was delighted that a six-week meditation course had played a part in helping to create this wonderful change. Though credit must go to the student for putting the mindfulness and meditation concepts into daily practice.

I reflected on the courage and determination it takes for someone to break free from an intense cycle – and find ways of creating personal change and growth.

Everyone feels anxious at times but this response usually disappears after a challenging situation is over.

Anxiety becomes chronic when it is your constant response, where thoughts and worries dominate your life and you feel totally overwhelmed.

Worrying is really an intellectual form of fear – you lose your sense of perspective and become distressed abut anything and everything. When your mind keeps conjuring up the worst scenarios, this affects how you approach all aspects of your life – work, study, family and the wider world in general.

The beyondblue support organisation has described anxiety as the most common mental health condition in Australia, affecting about one in four people – one in four women and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their life.

Drawing upon the mind-body connection, severe anxiety also creates a range of emotional and physical problems, including insomnia, fatigue, irritability, headaches, muscle tension, and stomach and digestive disorders.

On a positive note, research continues to confirm how mindfulness meditation assists in reducing anxiety.

A quieter mind
Mindfulness meditation helps to quieten the overactive mind that tends to be characterised by negative self-talk.

In meditation, you centre yourself and instead of being distracted by fearful thoughts you start connecting with your breath, your physical body and the gaps between the thoughts.

You also come to recognise that you thoughts are just thoughts and not your reality.

A healthier brain
Anxiety changes the structure and function of the brain in numerous ways.

For instance, anxiety increases the size of the amygdala, the area of the brain associated wth regulating emotions, including fear, anxiety and stress. Conversely, mindfulness meditation decreases the size of the amygdala, making you less reactive.

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and improve neural connections between various areas of the brain. It also enhances neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change) by encouraging you to view your thoughts differently – and when you create a new thought pattern, you are training your brain to be less anxious.

Meditation also balances the brain’s chemicals by increasing levels of the ‘feel-good’ hormones of GABA and serotonin, and reducing the cortisol stress hormone.

Final words
American psychotherapist Tom Corby, the executive director of the OCD Centre of Los Angeles, says, “Ultimately, meditation helps us slow down, get perspective, and think more objectively and with less knee-jerk reactivity. And that helps us be less anxious.”

Experience the health and wellbeing benefits of mindfulness meditation at the Meditation Pathways’ beginners courses starting in early May. The focus is on discovering and experiencing mindfulness and meditation, and exploring simple practices that you can easily incorporate into your everyday life.

I look forward to sharing this meditation journey with you.

https://meditationpathways.com.au/courses/beginners-and-intermediate/