To simply stay with your experience of life, to own it, take reponsability, means we need to stop and be here, now.                                                                       I find this practice unbearable and flit away from my life often, several times a day. I dispair and find reasons not to Practice. Each time I meet this place I fail in my courage to be fully alive, because I am still controlled by unseen fears from my past and future. What can I do? Smile, breathe and return to Mindfulness when I can. And when I do return, I realise my practice had never stopped, I was never lost. Thoughts and reflections most welcome. With metta. John.

As Lavinia House is closed for the Easter weekend there will be no group on the 12th April. As I am also away on 19th April the next group will be on the 26th April. Please also remember there is no group on the 3rd May as I am away then also.  This could be opportunities for you to develop your practice at home, the downloads page has meditations to help support you.

Was that a good meditation? Should my mind be empty? Everyone else looks so calm, why am I not? Where am I going with this?……All of these are simply passing thoughts, like clouds scudding across the sky of your mind. To be seen and then allowed on their way. When sitting, just sit, when walking, just walk. Each thought that arises can be a sign post to our breath and body. An opportunity to smile and come home once again.

Zazen is a challenging practice. Sometimes we can feel lost, unsure of why we are sitting here, yet again? Another thought, another breath, staying with your life just as it is.  The following poem by Rumi can help when your pracice falters, on day one, or one thousand and one……..

Come, come whoever you are, 

Even if you are a wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving, 

Ours is not a caravan of despair. 

Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times

 Come, come, come yet again