The Woodpigeon’s Agenda

Even though there aren’t that many places I can go at the moment to enjoy the scenery, when I look out of my window there is still plenty of nature to observe. Connecting to nature has always been an important part of my practice. This year I have found observing the patterns of nature more … Continue reading The Woodpigeon’s Agenda →

Not the Storm and Not the Boat

Let me start with a story. Six weeks ago I was released from hospital. I went in for a planned operation on the Monday and was out by the Wednesday. The operation itself wasn't complicated but it required an abdominal incision so I knew in advance that the healing process was going to be a … Continue reading Not the Storm and Not the Boat →

Metta For Fear

Life is always uncertain but at the moment that uncertainty seems more apparent than usual. At times like this naturally we take refuge in our practices, but while they can support us through testing times they often don't give us clear situation specific instructions to follow. We are never really told what to do. Instead … Continue reading Metta For Fear →

The Three Refuges

How do you become a Buddhist? Is it complicated? Well no, actually, it can be very simple. In some traditions all you need to do is take the three refuges, these being the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. The Buddha is of course the Buddha himself, the Dhamma is the teachings, and the Sangha … Continue reading The Three Refuges →

Let’s Talk About Not-Self

Anatta, which means not-self, is one of the most important concepts in Buddhism, the definitive one even perhaps. To understand it opens the doors to growth in your practice, and yet to understand it fully requires one of the hardest of things to do - not thinking about it. Descartes famously said "I think therefore … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Not-Self →

Keeping Your Routine Away From Home

Do you still meditate when you are on holiday? When you are staying in a friend's house for the weekend? When you are working away from home? Are you the diligent type that always gets a sit in or does your normal routine suffer, or does your routine go on hold until you get home? … Continue reading Keeping Your Routine Away From Home →

Three Wedding Days and a Funeral

Life has been somewhat up and down for me recently, I have been taken away from my usual routines to deal with the sharp end of being alive - namely sickness, old age, and death. But at the same time I found myself in a curious juxtaposition: in the same week I both attended the … Continue reading Three Wedding Days and a Funeral →

Your Parrot Mind

Do you ever sit in meditation and wish that your mind would just shut up and give you some peace and quiet? Even just a few minutes peace seems like all you need but hard as you try to concentrate your mind just won’t stop. The conversation with Karen from HR, the jingle that was … Continue reading Your Parrot Mind →

The Worldly Winds Will Always Blow

There’s a song that goes “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug”. Sometimes things go for you and sometimes things go against you, we have all experienced being on the receiving end of both sides of life. We all know that these ups and downs are part and parcel of life. The Buddha knew … Continue reading The Worldly Winds Will Always Blow →

Living Without Resistance

If you know anything about Buddhism then the phrase ‘letting go’ is nothing new to you. We all know that letting go can be hard, but sometimes we don’t even realise that we haven’t let go because we can’t recognise that we are holding on to something. We might think that we have no problems … Continue reading Living Without Resistance →