As humans we are by nature a carrier of our ‘junk’…in our cells lie all the memories, traumas, misconceptions, judgements and beliefs that we have formed since childbirth.

Sounds heavy right? and it is. No doubt.

But what if there was a way to wipe that slate clean?

Sages have been meditating for over 4000 years to do just that. It doesn’t mean those memories, beliefs and misconceptions no longer exist, what meditation does it bring it from the subconscious to the conscious mind. And this is where it gets interesting – for when we are AWARE we have a CHOICE – to continue listening and believing these “stories”, or to challenge them and potentially disregard.

Let me put it in practical terms.

Each Christmas I return to the family home where I grew up. This is the home where I was born and raised and I am enormously grateful to still be able to visit this place of happy memories…

But families are not all beer and skittles are they?

Before I discovered yoga and meditation every year I would find myself falling back into the ‘2nd and youngest child role’ because that is how things always were. In life we play many different roles and there are some that don’t seem to change, even as we grow grey hair, may or may not have a family of our own, develop successful careers… our essential ‘role’ in the family you were born into doesn’t seem to really change change with the times.

For years I would smile through the first and second days of Christmas, then by day 3 the internal combustion would burst, and burst dramatically. I would then spend the month of January recovering (as I’m sure my family did also) and gearing myself up for the same onslaught 11 months later. I used to believe that it was the way they treated me that would make my blood boil so, but what meditation taught me is that is a story I have created in my mind. By choosing to not accept it as is I have been able to redefine my relationships with my nearest and dearest.

Sounds too simple doesn’t it.

Take another example. We all know someone that likes to play the victim role. A string of failed relationships, or a run of bad luck that never stops. They tell themselves they don’t know why it’s happening, yet deep down there is a belief that they don’t deserve any better and therefore keep attracting negativity.

Does it take work? You betcha.

Is it worth it? You betcha.

Meditation fundamentally changes the ways our brains are wired. Modern medical science has proven this over and over. And there are other benefits…. for when we are still, our mind slows down, our heart rate follows, the nervous system calms, the digestive system has time to do its job properly, and our body and soul have a chance to recover and rejuvenate.

THIS is the healing state of the body and it feels a little like coming home…

Want to know the best thing? 5 minutes is all you need to start. But once you do you’ll want to do it over and over and over again. It’s the most healthiest addiction you can form. 

Want to know where to start? Guided meditations are a good place, as are group meditation sessions. Over time you can practice extending time in sitting meditation but I find people give up quickly if they start here.

I run a number of group classes around the Northern Beaches and also offer guided meditations over Skype. I recommend a short yoga practice beforehand (that is why yoga was invented by the way, but that’s a separate topic!) which can all be tailored to you as an individual / couple in person or over Skype. Jump across to my bookings page to get started!