I walked carefully down the cobbled path under the giant archways of the Byker Bridge. I had started to think of them as Mindfulness Cobbles, since I always had to concentrate when walking on them. It was good practise, brought me right into the moment. My stomach lurched as I rounded the corner and the… Continue reading Addled Chapter 11: Dionysus Wept
There’s a new mindfulness craze sweeping the nation: colouring books for adults. It’s supposed to help you relax and be more mindful, but does it work? The idea is that keeping your hands occupied allows the mind to become still. If you struggle with normal meditation, where you have to sit and do nothing but… Continue reading Colouring Books: Art Therapy or Mindless Money-spinner?
When you begin, you know nothing. When you think you know what you’re doing – you don’t. Beginner’s Mind keeps your writing alive. >Writer’s Manifesto (pdf)
You may find this hard to believe, but your mind is a puppy. Train it well, treat it with respect, and you’ll have a lifetime of devoted service sitting between your ears. Wet nose optional. Let me explain. Writing is hard work. It’s even harder if you have no control over the most important tool… Continue reading Mind Training with the Puppy Technique
After a rough night and too many nightmares to count, I dragged myself downstairs to find the kettle and get some caffeine pulsing through my system, but instead found this – and it changed my outlook in a snap! So I wanted to share it with you… From Happiness is a State of Mind by… Continue reading Today can be a happy day!
When we think of meditation, it usually conjures an image of Buddha sitting with a serene smile on his face. But meditation doesn’t always have to be practised sitting down. You can practice moving meditations while doing almost anything: running, dancing, doing the gardening or cleaning, and while exercising or walking. The practices of Tai… Continue reading How to Meditate: Zen Walking
Vipassana comes from the Therevada Buddhist tradition and is also known as Insight meditation. It was the form of meditation practised and taught by the Buddha in order to attain enlightenment. It involves looking into the true nature of the mind to overcome suffering and discover who you really are. The word has two parts:… Continue reading How to Meditate: Vipassana
Mindfulness is a form of meditation where you practise being aware of whatever is happening in the present moment without judging or thinking about it. If you’ve been watching your breath, then you’re already practising mindfulness. It’s one of the simplest and most powerful meditation practices because it can be done anywhere and at any… Continue reading How to Meditate: Mindfulness
Colin Wilson was a prolific author, philosopher and novelist, producing over 120 books on a dizzying range of subjects. This is remarkable in itself, since early in his career, his publisher advised him to quit. Thankfully he possessed an unshakable self-belief, writing on everything from serial killers and crime, to psychology, the paranormal, UFOs, and… Continue reading A Tribute to Colin Wilson: Dreaming To Some Purpose
If you had the opportunity to give some advice to your 16 year old self, what would you say? Two years ago I was pondering this question after reading an article about a book filled with such advice, and I wrote the following post on my writing blog, Free Your Pen. I stumbled across the… Continue reading Note to Self
Jessica Davidson 