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The Sound of Silence

4/22/2014

I stumbled across an old review I had written for Into Great Silence, a wonderful film released around 10 years ago and filmed in the mountain-top monastery Grande Charteuse. There are no added sound effects, no soundtrack, and no commentary. The movie is very much a meditation in itself, and was deeply affective. It was one of the first times I had encountered silence as a spiritual practice, and coincided with my first introductions to mindfulness meditation.

I often find myself doing two or three things at once, running and listening to music, eating and watching/reading something, checking my iPhone whilst waiting for something to download on my computer. Silent meditation helps me to re-focus and to remember to just sit.

Try this meditation with your eyes open, and allow yourself to just listenfor five minutes. What does "silence" sound like? How does it affect you? Are you able to continue breathing into the silence and be still?

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

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Body Scan Meditation

4/22/2014

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Body scan meditations can help us to relax, calm our minds, and be more in tune with what's going on in our bodies. By systematically scanning through the body, without judgement (I know, easier said than done! But with practise, we can learn to be less judgemental of ourselves!), we begin to notice where we hold tension, and allow that tension to soften and ease away.

Try this body scan meditation before going to sleep, or even throughout the day when you're feeling stressed. As you become more practised, you can do quick scans with each meditation.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

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Thank U

4/14/2014

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In 2008, and again 2013, I walked the Camino de Santiago, a 500mile/780km pilgrimage across northern Spain. In this week's video I talk about how the walk led me to use gratitude as part of my meditation practise.

I forgot to mention in the video that in 2008 I had been (re)listening to Alanis Morissette's Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. The song that I loved the most was "thank u", a rock ballad about Morissette's spiritual journey to India. Needless to say, it had a big influence...

In 2013 I returned to Spain, and re-walked the Camino. In the last town before the Cruz de Ferro, Foncebadon, I walked into an albergue I had visited on the first trip. And what song, of all the songs possible in the world, was playing on the radio? Yep. Alanis Morissette's "thank u".

Freaky coincidence? Synchronicity? The universe telling me to keep right on saying thank you? Either way, I'm immensely grateful.

I hope you enjoy.

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Eating Meditation

4/8/2014

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A regular sitting meditation practise is wonderful, but we don't always have time, despite our best intentions. Practising meditation while you eat is a great way to incorporate meditation into your every day life, and it can positively effect the way you eat, digest, and enjoy food.

For this particular meditation, start off something small, such a date, raisin, or a grape. Once you've learnt the pattern, you can apply it to a full meal. Try just one meal a day, or even a week, where you eat mindfully. No tv, no screens, no newspapers. You could light a candle to make it extra spesh!

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Cheers, and here's to eating mindfully!

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Mindful musings

The Sound of Silence

Body Scan Meditation

Thank U

Eating Meditation

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