Meditation Class - The importance of a teacher

With the introduction of Google, we spend many hours researching and reading "stuff" on the web. We soon become an expert on any and every topic by reading second hand information in huge amounts.

So can we learn mediation on the web, and do we really need a teacher?

The simple answer is "Yes" you can learn meditation (to a certain extent) on the web and "Yes" you do need a teacher if you are serious about Meditation.

So why do I say you need a teacher?

First, the mind is a tricky little devil, and over 60,000 thoughts are whizzing through in any one-day. So you sit to meditate and some of the first thoughts that come in are;

• “ Am I doing this right?”

• “ What should I be thinking?”

• “ How do I stop thinking and have no thoughts “

This is natural and most of us start out like this on our journey with meditation. Having a teacher with you allows you the confidence and freedom to ask these questions and to be guided on correct answers.

Having no thoughts is one of the many myths of meditation; it's a little bit like expecting the heart to stop beating once you tell it to.

So a teacher also dispels these myths.

Having sat through 12 years of meditation classes I have heard so many myths ...

•  You have to sit cross legged to meditate

•  You have to shower before you meditate

•  You have to place your palms on your knees and make a lotus shape with your fingers to meditate

•  You have to meditate for over an hour to benefit

•  Meditation is religious

•  You cannot meditate during your menstrual period

These myths, and many more, are easily dispelled by a teacher and thus put the mind at peace.

A teacher will explain clearly what meditation is and what it is not.

A teacher will also listen to what you are saying and be able to guide you as an individual to experience the technique that is best for you.

After all there are thousands of techniques in meditation and it’s not a "cookie cutter" experience where everyone is precisely the same.

A teacher will also see your habits and challenge you a little to see them for yourself. After all meditation is all about getting to know yourself and to see how your own thinking and actions bring results in your life.

So sign up for a class today!

SoulCentre is Asia’s Premier Centre for Meditation

Our next program is on 16/17/23/24 August

We have 10 am and 7 pm classes

Reiki Healing – How to develop a healing touch

Reiki is a gentle, hands on healing practice that brings so many benefits to the body. It is easy to learn and remains with you for life.

Reiki allows the body to move into a state of balance and this means that the body is better equipped to heal itself.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you are completely absorbed or lost in nature? Maybe you are sitting on the beach and watching a sunset, or, you have just climbed to the top of a mountain and are admiring the view.

In that moment everything else is forgotten; your aches and pains, your stresses and worries of life…in fact you are so completely absorbed in the moment that you feel so alive and in bliss. This is what I call the "Reiki feeling", and once you learn Reiki you simply put your hands on your own body and the "Reiki feeling" results.

Anyone and everyone can learn Reiki and at SoulCentre we have taught children from the age of 6 all the way to adults of 86.

So how do you develop the Reiki healing touch?

You need to attend a basic level Reiki class and during the class you will learn all about the hand positions on the body and how emotions are stored in certain areas of the body.

By simply putting your hands in certain positions on your body, the Reiki flows into the body and can have significant benefits not only to physical healing, but also to emotional and mental issues.

For example if you suffer from migraines, once you start to learn Reiki you may realise that you are being too hard on yourself, or expecting too much from others and by using Reiki your body starts to adjust. In addition, emotionally you feel happier and more stable and and you start to let go of things you cannot control.

The result is a healthier you and the migraines improve.

At SoulCentre we have taught thousands of students, many with healing needs. Reiki works on everything! It is also a great first aid kit to have in your hands for any and every occasion.

Reiki really is easy to learn and in 2 days you become so enthusiastic you cannot wait to get started on your own body and also your friends and family.

As Sally says "Keep those hot hands working and there is never an excuse to have lazy hands."

The next Reiki Level 1 will be held at SoulCentre on Saturday 20/Sunday 21 August.

We teach all the way from beginner to Reiki Master level.

www.soulcentre.org

How to Meditate – A simple meditation technique for beginners

Many people believe that Mediation is "difficult" and have preconceived ideas about what you have to do in order to meditate.

Allow me to clear your mind and to dispel some of these myths and in doing so encourage you to meditate.

The myths are as follows:

1) Meditation is religious - This is simply not correct. Meditation predates religions and is simply a practice that brings stillness and peace to the mind. Hence all religions use it in their teachings.

2) You have to sit cross-legged to meditate - Again this is not correct. As meditation is ancient, often there were no chairs around in the good old days and so people sat on the ground and “naturally” sat cross-legged. In today’s modern world you can meditate sitting down, lying down, on a plane, walking, at your desk …you name it – you can meditate doing it.

3) It’s so hard to meditate - Again this is not correct. We learnt to walk, talk, eat, dress ourselves, drive a car…so why so we think its hard to meditate? What if I told you it was easy peasy?

4) I do not have time to meditate - If you cannot find 5 minutes in your day to meditate - then you REALLY do need to meditate! Make it a routine like brushing your teeth, putting on your clothes, reading the paper. Spend less time checking Facebook and more time meditating – your life will thank-you big time.

Now for a simple technique that everyone can do – especially beginners; it's called "Anapana Sati" or meditation on the breath.

It's best to do it alone and in a space that is less chaotic than a busy office/home environment to start with. So plan 10 minutes when you can be alone and have some 

"me" time.

The technique is easy, try it and feel the difference:

• Sit comfortably / lie down (but do not fall asleep).

• Close your eyes.

• Fix your attention at the tip of your nose.

• Now simply feel your body as you breathe in and breathe out.

• Do a few breaths with awareness and see how you feel.

• Once you master this and you want to advance, you can introduce a count of 4-2-6.

• Count 4 as you breathe in – then hold for 2 – and breathe out for 6.

• Repeat this for at least 5-10 minutes and your whole energy will be calmer.

Your mind and body will benefit as a result and suddenly the world will become a calmer and happier place.

Join SoulCentre and it's team of expert meditators to take your practice to deeper levels. You will love the new you!

6 Simple ways to De-stress