Benefits of Meditation

This is so worth a read - The Four Best Scientifically Proven Benefits to Meditation by Stephanie Love. And that's just four benefits, there are many, many more.

Think it's time to start your meditation practice? Contact us at the Como Centre - we're here to help you.

More Mindfulness

And still the media are talking about Mindfulness as the way forward. Read the full story in The Guardian.

Indeed it is and 6-week Meditation & Mindfulness Courses are available at the Como Centre in Grove, Oxon.  What better gift to give to yourself than the ability to meditate to help yourself better cope with the stresses and strains of our hectic lifestyles.

Mindfulness in the City

City financiers are now cottoning on to Mindfulness and Meditation - it's beginning to spread!

Read the full story here.

Meditation in Airports

How fabulous is this?

Shared from Meditation Techniques at https://www.facebook.com/MeditationTechniquesDaily

Did you know that there are several US Airports that have yoga and/or meditation rooms available now? How great is that?! Below is a pic from just outside Albuquerque New Mexico's Sunport Meditation Room.

They say, "Guests, travellers and employees at the Sunport who wish to spend some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle are welcome to use the new Meditation Room."

How Stressed Are You?

Try this quick and simple test to see how stressed you are.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24756311

I scored 5 - what did you score?  Meditation can help you to bring your scores right down, so why not give it a go?

We have new courses starting in the New Year at our Como Centre.  Check out the details here.

Meditation Instead of Medication

If you've been on one of my Meditation Courses you will know how I keep on about "Meditation Instead of Medication", and now those very same words get a mention in the Huffington Post.

Read the full story here.

Mindfulness & Psychiatry

Mindfulness and psychiatry: the next fad or a new revolution?

Read the full story here.

Mindfulness Growing within Business

"Google seeks out wisdom of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.  Global technology companies are connecting to the power of mindfulness and meditation to drive sustainability and happiness."

Everyone, it seems, is now learning of the amazing benefits of meditation and mindfulness.  Read the full story here.

Why Meditation Beats Anxiety

Mindfulness meditation - non-judgemental awareness of thoughts and emotions - is known for its anxiety busting powers and now scientists are getting a better understanding of why it has this impact on the brain.

Read the full report here.

If you think meditation, including mindfulness, can help you then why not come to one of our courses at the Como Centre.

Mindfulness Meditation the Relaxing Way to Stop Smoking

Mindfulness meditation is commonly used for stress relief but researchers have now discovered that smokers who meditate mindfully reduce their smoking by 60%.

Read the full story here.

A Daily Habit

The daily habit of these outrageously successful people - top people use meditation in their daily lives.  Full story here.

Anxiety & Stress

The Telegraph on-line health section reports today that, according to a Government survey, one in three absences at work are due to anxiety and stress.  The cost to industry is staggering, as is the cost to the NHS in treating those who are finding life a little too tough to cope with.

Isn't it now time to start advocating taking a little more control of our lives and learn how to help ourselves without the need of medication?

Meditation can help us do just that.  By learning to quieten the mind we give ourselves periods of peace and calm from our otherwise hectic lifestyles.  The body responds - blood pressure lowers, heart rate falls and we start to regain some balance in our lives.  We start to feel much better, much more in control and more able to cope with stressful situations.

Surely it is much better to be given a prescription for meditation rather than medication. 

Meditation & Mindfulness Course

A new Meditation & Mindfulness course starts this Wednesday, 19th June at the Como Centre in South Oxfordshire.

Learn to meditate and take control of your life.  Whether you want to learn to meditate for health and well-being, to help to control the stresses and strains of every day life, for total relaxation or to help to underpin your own spiritual development journey, then do come along to our course.

Spaces are still available.

Reasons to Meditate

Love this - I found it on Facebook and was shared by Soul Guidance; hope they don't mind my sharing it with you.

Mindfulness: The Basics

How to get to grips with Mindfulness - click here and have a read of this article.

Remember, if you want to benefit from meditation, including mindfulness, the Como Centre runs courses that can help you.

Take the 100 day kindness challenge and contribute to a better world

Could you be kind for 100 days? Well could you?

Then just click here.

But I Don't Have Time to Meditate

How many times have I heard those words?

We all have at least 10-minutes in every day where we can take some time for ourselves for a little meditation.  After all, we are important people and we do have to have a little "me" time.

Have a read of this article by Mary Pritchard - you may just find her tips helpful.

Mindfulness is Sweeping the Western World

Billed a "social phenomenon" by its leading advocate, Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is changing the face of health and humanity.  Naomi Tolley reports from London.

Click here for the full article.

The Benefits of Being Present

Corporate businesses are now turning to Mindfulness in the workplace with some amazing results.  In this report in Positive News, Nikki Allen discovers the growing popularity of this simple approach to help people change how they experience life.

Click on the link to read the whole article - The Benefits of Being Present

Simply Breathing Technique

By Fran Sussman

For the Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 04/16/13

Just breathe. Right now. Become aware of the fact that you are breathing.

If you're like most people — busy, multitasking, distracted and stressed — your breath is probably shallow and short. Without adding a lot of effort, simply increase your awareness, and begin to put a little more attention on this usually unconscious process. Let your breath begin to relax, allowing it to become deeper and longer.

Breathe in and out through your nose. Notice that you have an inhalation and an exhalation. Many of us have the tendency to do a short inhale and a longer exhale. Quietly notice if that's what you're doing. Very gently, make them even.

Become aware of the points when your lungs are at their fullest, and when they are emptiest. Feel the cyclical nature of the breath. Appreciate that this cycle continues 24 hours a day, every moment of your life, without your having to do anything at all, supporting you. Allow your breath to help you take in what you need, and release what you don't need. Let yourself relax into that deep knowledge. Lengthen the breath, so that you are inhaling for a slow count of 4 and exhaling for a slow count of 4. Let your breath flow freely from one to the other. Let yourself experience the balance and flow.

Continue to let your breath slow, deepen and relax as you feel each inhalation support, brighten and activate your body. Feel yourself exhale, trusting that you are letting go of anything you no longer need. Feel gratitude for this miracle.

Notice when your mind wanders. When that happens, and you become aware of it, remind yourself that you are not doing anything wrong; that it is the nature of attention to wander. Simply come back to your breath. See if you can keep your entire focus on your breath for a count of 10 complete inhales and exhales. When you wander, simply come back again to the process.

There. Congratulations! You've done your meditation for the day, reset your nervous system out of stress mode, lowered your blood pressure and released some tension from your muscles. It cost you nothing but your attention and a few minutes of your time, and the benefits will support you for hours. Isn't breathing wonderful?