Meditation Training
The power of music is undeniable. Both listening to music and playing it yourself can bring intense joy, reduce stress, help us focus on the present moment, and relieve anxiety or insomnia. You may notice that these are also some of the key benefits of meditation. The powerful surges of energy and feeling that happen […]
Deriving from a Zen proverb, the phrase ‘the obstacle is the path’ refers to the idea that no obstacle can be navigated just by avoidance; you must tackle it head-on. This school of thought insists that obstacles actually present opportunities for improvement. Overcoming challenging situations can make us stronger, more resolute, and more robust. Choosing […]
We are often lead to believe that the only things worth celebrating in life are major events – things that we have had to work hard and sacrifice for. For example graduation, a new job, buying a house. The list goes on. However, an average person’s life is made up of far more days when […]
What is Beginner’s Mind? Originating from Japanese Zen Buddhism, the term ‘Beginner’s Mind‘ (or ‘shoshin’) refers to a paradox: the more you know about a topic, the more likely you are to close your mind to further learning. In the book, ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’, Shunryu Suzuki summarises this principle with the line ‘In the […]
In recent years social media and lifestyle blogs have been flooded with encouragements to find the silver lining with mantras like, “good vibes only”, or “think positive”. On the surface, these well-intentioned messages may seem like the perfect attitude to adopt when dealing with feelings of sadness, loneliness or anxiety, or when trying to support […]
Being told to pay attention is one of the most common things we will hear in our lives: from our parents, teachers, partners, even our devices demand our attention with constant notifications and alerts. And yet we can often lose focus on our work or someone who is speaking to us, resulting in a feeling […]
Breathing is central to most forms of meditation. However, that doesn’t mean breathwork and meditation are the same thing. In fact, for many who struggle to sit down and concentrate on their thoughts, breathwork practices are becoming an increasingly viable alternative to traditional meditation. While some people may substitute meditation for breathwork sessions, here at […]
Many people will tell you that positive thinking is the optimum way to get yourself through the downturns of life. While it is useful to try and have a hopeful attitude, refusing to acknowledge negative experiences and difficult times for what they are actually has the potential to worsen your struggles. Premeditatio Malorum is a […]
Breathwork for sleep: can breathing exercises help you to sleep better? Many of us will struggle to transition to sleep at night because we try to go to bed with our minds still active from the day. This can result in struggles sleeping, stress and anxiety. So what should we do before bed to get […]
You may have heard of apnea in the context of sleep, but have you ever come across the term email apnea? Sleep apnea, for those who are unaware, is the condition whereby a person’s breathing will stop and start while they sleep. The other symptoms of sleep apnea can include making gasping or wheezing noises […]
