Newsletter - March 2010

Feeling so relaxed after meditation

“I slept really well all week, and have used the breathing techniques when I need to get calmer - works like a charm. Thanks so much.”

This lovely comment came from Laura, soon after attending the first Meditation for Beginners lesson.

During the current meditation courses, other students have also commented that they are sleeping better and feeling so relaxed at the end of the session.

This is exactly the way you deserve to feel – and it’s so simple.

All it takes is 10 to 20 minutes, once or twice a day, to sit and just ‘be’. That is not a lot of time out of 24 hours - or its equivalent of 1440 minutes.

Then at other times during the day, enjoy some mindful moments. (See below: Mindful moments all through the day…)

Taking the time to nurture yourself will bring your beautiful feelings of peace, and a clearer and calmer approach when tackling life’s challenges.

De-stress at your desk – and you'll work really well

Bring the benefits of meditation and relaxation into your workplace with our De-stress at your Desk workshop.

The benefits of meditation in the workplace translate over to people’s ability to:

• Deal with stressful situations more effectively
• Make more skillful and effective decisions
• Stay focused in challenging situations
• Feel more energetic

Research has shown that experiencing calmness and clarity leads to harmonious working relationships, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

Stress builds up slowly during the day. Knowing how to reduce stress levels is important for people’s overall health and wellbeing.

The workshop is practical in approach and comprises:

• The art of relaxed breathing – to calm your body and mind.
• ‘Stress busters’ – quick and effective ways to reduce stress during the day. They are also particularly effective before giving presentations.
• Brief introduction to meditation and managing stress.
• Experiencing two meditations – a body meditation that can be done seated at a desk and a face meditation to ease this hot spot for holding tension.

For a written proposal, phone Eileen (0407 881 285) or go to Contact Us.

Mindful moments all through the day…

“Gramps imprinted on my soul.…that meditation is…. a fulltime spiritual ambiance that ideally permeates every moment of our lives…. when things got too hectic (he would pause) and lean against a fence post or sit down for just a few minutes, and allow his usually radiant demeanor to return to him. Such short meditative breaks seemed an integral part of his daily life…”

So writes American psychologist and researcher John Selby in the introduction to Seven Masters, One Path. His grandfather was one of the first cattle ranchers of the beautiful Ojai Valley (Southern California) with its lingering Native American spiritual energies.

He describes how he often joined his grandfather during a ‘formal meditation routine of sorts’ where they sat under the favourite oak tree to see the sun rise.

Then at sunset, his grandfather would usually pause “to sit down, relax … and simply ‘be’ as the sun disappeared. He didn’t ‘go off’ anywhere during his sun meditations…. (it was just) an intense and continued involvement with the present moment.”

You can bring mindful moments into everyday life in so many ways.

Consider the following list, which is by no means exhaustive…

• Be aware of the movement of your body when walking
• Bring in the relaxing breath while working at the computer
• Notice the play of shadow and light on a sunny day
• Enjoy the cool autumn breeze on your face
• Feel the water flowing over your body when you are in the shower
• Discover the scent of flowers in your garden
• Tap into the aroma of coffee or freshly baked bread when walking past a café or bakery
• Enjoy the changing colours of the afternoon and evening sky
• Pat your dog or cat, enjoying the texture of its fur and its peaceful ways
• Eat a strawberry slowly, really enjoying its taste and texture

Share your stories and ideas of mindful moments in the next Meditation Pathways newsletter. To tell us your mindful moments - just go to Contact Us.

Nurture your soul

When you nurture yourself, you nurture your soul – what a lovely way to honour your beautiful self.

So give yourself some space from the demands and responsibilities of life…

• Dance on the grass
• Sing
• Place flowers in your home
• Walk along the beach or in a park
• Light candles in your favourite room
• Meditate on the stars and moon
• Slow down
• Eat healthily
• Laugh a lot

And afterwards, you will feel so much better.

Meditation Pathways News

If this is the first time that you have read the Meditation Pathways newsletter and you would like to receive future editions, please go to Contact Us.

Enjoy your meditation journey
Eileen