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What is meditation? How do you do it? Why would you want to do it? Is it fun? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the articles and stories below.

Mind the gap, it will set you free. Promise

August 1, 2012 by 2 Comments
Mind the gap

by columnist Gabrielle Harris, The Suburban Yogini When I was about nine, Dad bought a strange woman to our house. She was dressed in white and had an exotic name. Our sleep-out was turned into a shrine. Suddenly suburban life was looking up. The lady was handed some cash and I had to give her something of value to myself. I gave her my teddy. I didn’t want to give her my teddy as I was attached to it. It’s good to have attachments when you are nine; it gives you something to work on in … [Read more...]

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How to meditate in four easy steps

May 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Meditation - Focus. Awareness. Feelings. Kindness.

by guest author Peter Fernando, A Month of Mindfulness I like to consider what 'meditation' is, from the perspective of a beginner, or someone who's never heard of it. Sometimes the more I think I know about something, the further away I get from really knowing the heart of it! So, having reflected on it, from an experiential place, I reckon this thing called 'meditation' actually just consists of four qualities, or skills in the mind: 1) Focus Take an object, such as the feeling … [Read more...]

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What’s Love got to do with it?

March 10, 2012 by 4 Comments
Living with an open heart

by guest author Peter Fernando, A Month of Mindfulness In many traditions, the practice of kindness and love is an integral part of the meditative journey. You may wonder, 'why?' Sometimes the way that the concept of  'mindfulness' is presented can make it seem like a utilitarian technique to become more efficient, or more functional in the world. This is certainly a part of it, of course. But then there's the love thing. You can't go too far into any authentic contemplative tradition … [Read more...]

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The joy hidden within chaos

February 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Chaotic kitchen

by guest author Peter Fernando, A Month of Mindfulness On the surface of things, spirituality can seem to be about control, right? 'Mind Control' perhaps. Or 'Body Control'? On the far end of the spectrum you even get teachings suggesting that the point of life is to have ultimate control over the universe. Sounds good, doesn't it? But is that what 'spirituality', or more accurately, freedom is about? I personally wonder if it is. What could be more gratifying to our ego than … [Read more...]

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Why ‘letting go’ and ‘detachment’ can be pitfalls on the spiritual path

January 12, 2012 by 3 Comments
Mother and child

by guest author Peter Fernando, A Month of Mindfulness I received this honest and moving question a few weeks back: If you have never bonded with your mother and so have never experienced secure attachment in a primary relationship, how can you work with non-attachment? And letting go? When you have never really experienced having anything to hold onto? The first thing I should say is this: I am no expert in this field, so please don't take my word as gospel. I can only reflect from … [Read more...]

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Starting a Home Meditation Practice

November 18, 2011 by 2 Comments
Anyone can meditate at home

by guest author Peter Fernando, A Month of Mindfulness Are you wanting to start your own home meditation practice? The number one piece of advice I have for you is: Just do it! Having said that, a recent question that came in asked for more details, so in response to that reader, here's... Six Useful Home Meditation Tips 1) Don't meditate in front of the TV (even when it's off), or in front of the computer. If you take some time to create a meditation-only space in your home, it's … [Read more...]

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