Skip to content

Meditation

Finding the Wisdom of Winter

“To get better at wintering, 

we need to address our very notion of time. 

We tend to imagine that our lives are linear, 

but they are in fact cyclical.”

~~ Katherine May

Greetings to all my precious people!!

December has arrived and there is a flurry of activity as the countdown begins to the end of year holidays. In a society driven by constant consumerism, we are often encouraged to do more, buy more, and push endlessly toward productivity. The rhythms of Nature—marked by cycles of growth, rest, and renewal—are largely forgotten in the rush to maintain momentum. Yet Nature gently reminds us of the importance of pause.  continue reading »

The Search for Solitude and Inner Peace

“Without going outside, you may know the whole world. 

Without looking through the window, 

you may see the ways of heaven. 

The farther you go, the less you know. 

Thus, the sage knows without traveling; 

he sees without looking; he works without doing.”

~~ Lao Zi, Dao De Jing (Chapter 47)

Greetings to all my precious people!

We are making our way towards a time of holidays and holy days during the next few weeks. So many of our traditions are rooted in gatherings with loved ones—be it family of origin or chosen family—sharing food and drink, space and time, telling stories, creating memories. The flurry of activity involved with the anticipation and participation tends to crowd our schedule, and while we want to be engaged and busy, we still need downtime to rest. While there are many forces influencing our time and attention, we can find solace by turning our focus inward, recentering our energy, and choosing to be present to Life as it unfolds.  continue reading »

The Benefits of Meditation

The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation, a practice rooted in ancient traditions, has gained significant popularity in the modern world for its numerous mental and physical health benefits. As stress and anxiety levels continue to rise, more people are turning to meditation as a means of finding inner peace and improving overall well-being. 

Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind and eliminating distractions to achieve a state of mental clarity and emotional calm. There are several forms of meditation, including mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, and loving-kindness meditation, each with its unique techniques and benefits.

One of the most well-documented benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress. A meta-analysis of 163 studies found that mindfulness meditation programs significantly reduced stress, with an effect size of 0.38, which is considered a moderate effect. Chronic stress can lead to numerous health problems, including heart disease and depression, making stress reduction a critical benefit of meditation.

Meditation has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders. A study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation programs can help reduce anxiety, depression, and pain, with effect sizes comparable to those of antidepressant medications. This makes meditation a valuable tool for managing anxiety without the side effects associated with pharmaceuticals.

Meditation can lead to improved emotional health by promoting a more positive outlook on life. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that individuals who engaged in loving-kindness meditation reported increased positive emotions, which contributed to greater life satisfaction and reduced depressive symptoms.

Meditation enhances attention span and concentration. A study conducted at the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that participants who underwent a two-week mindfulness training program showed improved GRE reading comprehension scores and working memory capacity compared to a control group. This suggests that meditation can enhance cognitive functions essential for academic and professional success.

Meditation helps individuals better regulate their emotions. Neuroimaging studies have shown that meditation alters brain regions associated with emotion regulation, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that long-term meditation practitioners had increased gray matter density in the brain regions involved in emotional regulation, suggesting that meditation can lead to lasting changes in brain structure and function.

Meditation can contribute to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease. A study published in the journal Hypertension found that participants who practiced transcendental meditation for three months experienced significant reductions in blood pressure compared to a control group. This effect is attributed to the relaxation response induced by meditation, which reduces stress hormones and promotes cardiovascular health.

Meditation has been shown to enhance immune function, making the body more resilient to infections. Research published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that mindfulness meditation increased antibody production in response to the influenza vaccine, indicating a stronger immune response.

Meditation can be an effective tool for managing chronic pain. A meta-analysis of 38 studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that mindfulness meditation significantly reduced pain severity, with effect sizes comparable to those of standard pain management interventions.

Meditation offers a wide array of benefits for mental, cognitive, physical, and social health. From reducing stress and anxiety to enhancing attention and immune function, meditation is a powerful practice that can improve overall well-being. As scientific research continues to uncover the mechanisms behind these benefits, meditation is likely to become an increasingly integral part of health and wellness practices worldwide.

What Do You Need Right Now?

I learned a long time ago

 the wisest thing I can do

 is be on my own side.

~~ Maya Angelou

Greetings to all my precious people!!

What do you need right now?

When was the last time you took a moment to check in with your Self and make a gentle inquiry?  We can be very attuned to the needs of others.  We know when the baby needs feeding, when the dog needs walking and when our loved ones need a good hug, a long nap and maybe a snack!!  But what about us?  How often do we touch base with our precious Self and ask what needs to be tended to?  continue reading »

Nourishing Life with My Ancestors

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine

In the shelter of each other the people live 

Dia duit to all my precious people!!

Dia duit (dee-ah gwit) is the traditional and common greeting among Irish nationals who speak Gaelic and it translates as “may God be with you”.  This phrase is used in much the same way as the English word “hello”.  Traveling the West Coast of Ireland for the past week, we heard that phrase time and again as we meandered in and out of shops, pubs, and country festivals.   continue reading »

9143648897 Directions Contact/Schedule