Maha Shivratri is an annual Hindu festival to celebrate the consummation of the Union of Shiva and Parvati. It is also known as the night of the heavenly dance of Lord Shiva. Observances include fasting, yoga, self study and lingam worship. Here in north Goa we marked the occasion with a fabulous community party at […]
Yesterday I attended a Co-Dependents Anonymous meeting. CoDA is a twelve step recovery program to help folks enjoy healthy, loving relationships. I knew I had some codependent traits but speaking with the group and working through the materials really helped to highlight my blind spots. We’re all codependent in some form. The extent to which […]
Leaving your phone home for a social event is the new cool. Hipsters everywhere are boycotting their devices in favour of real time interaction. It’s a fad that’s set to rise. We could all benefit from reduced screen time. Small devices permeate many areas of life in increasingly insidious ways. A rebellion seems inevitable. Like […]
As we bow to the other, we respect ourselves. When we gather in community, we acknowledge the ritual of togetherness. By devotion to a higher purpose, we worship the divine. In reverence, we transcend.
When I has a regular 9 – 5 career I had a simple daily routine that involved cycling, swimming and yoga either end of the working day (I was training for triathlon at the time). I fitted in the things I was passionate about around my work commitments. This was in addition to working on […]
Every Sunday here in Goa there’s a pool party. The reggae soundtrack fills the day with easy vibes. It’s a relaxing way to welcome in the start of a new week. Having spent a few hours grooving on the dancefloor I felt the call to enjoy the pool. Sat just above the DJ booth, overlooking […]
Beginner’s mind is a state of being that asks for openness, keeness and and lack of preconceptions, even at an advanced level. It’s useful in many situations. It begets humility, learning and growth. It places us into a state of receptivity, emptiness (of the Buddhist kind) and honesty. Whatever you do today, approach it with […]
These terms are often associated with a spiritual path. I’ve encountered them in the past in relation to Vipassana, the meditation technique that I practice. I had a conversation with a friend yesterday about his returning home from living abroad. His list of priorities and requirements on arriving home to the UK after a five […]
I first discovered this mantra at a retreat in Dharamshala. I was sitting to lunch at a table and there was an illustration of a smiling Buddha rubbing his belly. The drawing suggested imagining a tiny Buddha gratefully receiving the food at the top of the heart centre while reciting the mantra in your mind. […]
I did the ice bath again today. I sat for ten minutes. I feel amazing. The Wim Hof Method is pretty awesome. I’d recommend this for anyone that wants to boost their performance. The breath is simple, restorative and uplifting. The ice is intense, exhilarating and deeply meditative. The combination is hard to beat. It’s […]