Meditation
Meditation allows us to find the pause. It is in the stillness at the end of every outbreath; in the silence between words; in the space between musical notes. Those still points are portals to our inner world, where our minds can be calm, our breathing slows, and we can release and let go.
In those still, silent, beautiful spaces magic - aka meditation - happens!
My journey with meditation
I have been meditating on and off for many years. When I was younger, I would often let life get in the way of my practice, although, to be honest, I don’t think I even thought of it as a practice then. It was just something I did when I needed some calm. Back in the early days, when I was in my twenties, I didn’t really know what meditation was, not properly. And it certainly didn’t have a name. It was just ‘quiet time’ or ‘me time’ or ‘alone time’. But, without fail, this quiet time was something that I always returned to.
I would often sit out in the local woods listening to the birds, not thinking of anything much at all. When I was at the coast, I’d sit on the rocks and stare out to sea for the longest time. Letting myself get lost in the soothing sound of the waves, the strident calls of the gulls, and the unending vastness of the sea in front of me. I still do that to this day! And it is one of my favourite ways to meditate and reconnect with my inner stillness. There is a beach on the little island of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides, in the north of Scotland, that is my happiest of happy meditation places. I can, and have, sat and stared out to sea for many, many hours there. The tranquillity, the sound of the sea and the harsh calls of the sea birds always bringing a sense of clarity, and a deep inner peace and calm.
What is meditation
And that’s the thing, sitting staring out to sea and losing yourself in nature is a meditation. I didn’t know it at the time when I was in my twenties: I didn’t have a label for it. But I have over the years come to realise that meditation is whatever we need it to be, in whatever way works well for us.
There is no one size fits all, no one right way to meditate. I know the internet is full of ‘How to Meditate’ guides and tips, and they will, more often than not, suggest that to meditate ‘properly’ we ‘must’ all: sit cross-legged, with our back straight, in quiet surroundings, breathing deeply, with a still calm mind…and…and…and. But it doesn’t need to be like that, and, quite frankly, it just doesn’t work like that for a lot of us.
Meditation can take many forms, and it can look different for everyone. Sitting cross-legged, focusing on the breath and cultivating a still mind are often seen as essential, and may work incredibly well for lots of us. But there are many other ways to meditate that may be more accessible, or feel more comfortable, physically or emotionally. There is always a way that will work for everyone. Some ways can even be rather mundane; doing the dishes for example, that can be meditative, as can ironing (so I’m told!), or going for a walk, or sitting having a coffee in the garden.
Sometimes, the most important step in starting to meditate is changing our mindset. Allowing ourselves the luxury, and permission, to do things differently: to not conform to the standard norms, to have no expectations as to what each meditation should or will look like, to feel free to throw out what doesn’t serve our own, uniquely personal, practice. Maybe starting with what brings you your state of calm, and using that as a stepping stone to find your way into meditation could be a more accessible approach? Play with what works for you. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to meditate, your way is best for you!
My approach
My approach to most things in life is to do things my way, to my tune, aligned to the call of my heart. And the same can be said for my approach to meditation! I am very much of the view that meditation is not something to be prescriptive about.
Although I primarily offer guided meditations, I am flexible in my approach, and am always very happy to work in other ways. We will work together to find the way that best supports you needs. I offer healing incorporating meditations, and also offer bespoke meditations, where I write meditations specifically for you. These sessions are fully tailored to your preferences, experience and needs.
We are all unique individuals, with different experiences, beliefs, emotions, backgrounds, and everything else in between. And if our meditations reflect that, then we can more quickly find ourselves in that easeful place where we are in flow, we breathe easily, and we release.
Tailor your Session
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Healing with Meditation
This session combines a meditation followed by a short healing. A very nourishing way to find that easeful place where your heart rate drops, your breathing slows and your body completely relaxes.
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Bespoke Meditations
These are beautiful, special sessions that are crafted to be uniquely yours. I write meditations specifically for you, to best support you at any given time. This is a meditative journey that reconnects you with your inner self.
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Meditation with Sound
Meditation combined with sound is a beautiful, gentle combination that supports and encourages deep relaxation. You let go, you breath more deeply, and your body reconnects with it’s natural rhythm and inner flow.
Finding our stillness:
Meditation is inner work, done in our bodies, hearts and minds; not in the way we sit, or the colour of our meditation cushion.
Finding stillness in the smallest of moments in every day brings a greater connection to our inner calm.
There is no right or wrong way to meditate. Your way is the one that is best for you!
Practicalities
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- On request only (all meditations)
- At your home
- Meditation with Sound only available in person
- Most areas within SE19-SE27 postcodes, up to 15 minutes' walk from train stations
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- All meditation sessions are delivered online
(excluding Meditation with Sound, which is currently in person only, on request)- At your home, via Zoom. Camera on
- Seated
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- Bespoke meditation: £130
60 minutes- Bespoke meditation pack: £450
x3 @ 60 minutes + x1 @ 75 minutes- First time clients (standard): £85
75-90 minutes- Recurring clients (standard): £75
60 minutes- Discounted packages available for 3, 4, 6 and 12 standard sessions
- Payment by bank transfer in advance
All clients must fill in a Consent form and Health & Wellbeing questionnaire prior to their first appointment. When working in person (on request) I cover most areas within SE19-SE27 postcodes, up to 15 minutes' walk from train stations.
WHAT MEDITATION CAN LOOK LIKE
Meditation is adaptable and accessible to us all
My meditation practice varies from day to day, week to week and month to month. Some days I happily sit cross-legged, in silence, on a meditation cushion focusing on my breath. Other days my hips, knees or ankles are having none of it, and I have to sit leaning against a wall with my legs out-stretched. Some sessions I'll focus on my breath, on others it might be a mantra, or affirmations, or mala beads. Often my mind is calm and quiet, while other times it bounds through my to-do list like an enthusiastic puppy!
Being out in nature is my happy place, so sometimes my meditation will be sitting out in the park listening to the sounds of nature. Other days I may want to go deep and will use particular music or essential oils as a focus, or maybe a guided meditation or candle flame. Sometimes I may be standing on the tube surrounded by people. Or maybe sitting on a desk chair in a hotel bedroom, while away on holiday. Or lying on the floor with headphones on.
Some days, I only manage a few minutes meditation, because my mind is racing, or I'm away, or life throws us curve balls; and the next, I've meditated easily for 45 minutes without thought or distraction, in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Every meditation I do is different, and, I believe, no less perfect or valuable because of it. The good days and the less good days, the long meditations and the short ones, the calm mind versus the busy mind, all are perfect in their own way, and enrich my practice immeasurably.
My meditation motto: Be proud of yourself for what you did do, and don't beat yourself up for what you didn't do!
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