At school we were taught that in AD 64 the emperor Nero played the violin or something similar as Rome burned. As a child I saw this story as the epitome of evil and depravity. As I grew older it became clear that the story also spoke of the human cond …

If you have ever taken the time to observe your rational mind at work you will have noticed two compulsive aspects namely: “time-machine” and “auto pilot”. You have probably experienced these two behaviours working together. It can happen when some eve …

A question I often ask of a group is the following: “What is most important to you, to be right, or to be happy?” People look at me like the question is a “no brainer” as they answer, “to be happy of course!”  I then ask, “how do you behave in your eve …

Be present: Most suffering is caused by too much thinking. Choose to be present in your physical life, rather than in the drama of your imagined mental life. “Think less, be more!” Be kind to yourself and to others: Treat yourself at least as well as y …

So much suffering is caused by not taking care of ourselves because we do not know how to be kind to ourselves. Most of our lives it is drummed into us that we should think of others first and that to think of oneself is selfish – which we must never b …

Only two things in this life are certain: you will die and you don’t know when. These are certainties yet we spend most of our time trying to avoid thinking about such “unpleasant” things. Thus, when someone dies or is seriously ill it becomes a calami …

Rhea is writing: To my surprise, James Herriot’s books are now considered “classics”.  I just enjoy reading them. James Herriot began work as a rural vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the thirties. Here is an extract from his book “All creatures great and …

Most of our assumptions about reality are both limited and deeply flawed because our minds have evolved to perceive things in a way to optimise survival not to see things as they are. Meditation – the best technique to remove distractions and improve perception

Our motto is: “Perception is everything”. Mindfulness is a wonderful way to be more present in your life. However, if you wish to experience real movement, connection then meditation and its associated practices, in my experience, offer the best way. W …