How to manage post holiday stress?

The holiday are over and it's time to get back to the daily routine, which for many of us does not fill us with glee.

Do you have that feeling that life has to be more than simply working to pay the bills?

Is your inner voice shouting out all the things in your daily life that you do not enjoy, all the mundane and boring tasks that have to be done?

It is chattering non-stop and robbing your happiness and peace?

As you go about your daily activities are you constantly thinking of the fun times you had on holiday – of the freedom of walking on the beach – of the relaxed evenings with no e-mails / phones or agendas, waking up with nothing to do apart from have fun….

If you can relate to the above then the chances are you are starting to feel stressed inside, and it's time to take action to stop this before it becomes real.

www.soulcentre.org

A few tips from our resident stress experts at SoulCentre:

• Accept reality - Understand that whatever is happening in your life at this moment is a choice you made – so do not fight with it – simply accept it, this way you will be able to manage the situation in a more calm manner.
• Do not focus on the past - The holiday is over; it was fun at that moment in tIme, however it is now in the past. If you live this moment wanting what has passed, then you will become unhappy in this moment. Once you realise this then you simply focus on this moment with awareness and see the positives in this moment.
• Count your blessings and focus on what is good at this moment in your life - You were able to take a holiday and to travel to a lovely place; this is truly a blessing that many cannot afford.
• Plan in “me time” – simply get out your diary and block in at least 2 hours a week as “me time”. During this time do whatever you desire as a treat to yourself.
• STOP – look at the thoughts in your mind - Are they positive and serving your happiness? If not then change them; no one wants to be unhappy, so choose positive thoughts that serve you. For example you can think about planning a future break, you can think about the faces of those you love, about nature, about your favourite food… Whatever it is simply switch and focus on what makes you feel happy.

At SoulCentre we keep you stable in the storms of life.

We teach techniques and provide tools that support you in life.

We tell you stories that stay with you forever and ones where simply by hearing them you understand the lessons of life.

Life is a gift – Celebrate it!

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

A lot of confusion exists about what meditation and mindfulness really are, is there a difference between them, and what’s their purpose and benefits. So let me take a few minutes of your time and bring some clarity.

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Meditation is an ancient path that consists of wisdom, techniques and practice, and allows you to manifest the life that you choose. It also empowers you to create a life full of happiness, inner freedom, fulfilment and purpose.

Meditation is thousands of years old, predates the world’s major religions, is scientific and systematic, and has been used by people and cultures across the ages. Unfortunately, as religions become embedded in local populations, this ancient path of living your highest life came to develop a strong religious flavour. The non-religious masters retreated into the background and the religious teachers took centre stage.

Many great individuals used this wisdom, including the young prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later went on to be known as the Buddha, the Awakened one. In his years of teaching, he selected and used a few techniques from this vast science, which continued even after his passing under the label of ‘Buddhist Meditation’. These include vipasana, ana-pana-sati, and more, all of which existed before Buddha, but now came to be packaged differently.

Buddhism spread across the world and eventually found root in the fertile soil of young American minds. A minute number of Americans were eager to try it, but the large population stayed away from participating, because of the strong religious packaging these techniques were presented in.

In 1979, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn secularized one particular type of Buddhist meditation and renamed it mindfulness. Over the next 30 years, that simple act successfully spread a small part of meditation to thousands of individuals from all fields of life, and into hundreds of hospitals and other medical facilities worldwide.

To summarize, meditation is the whole book on how to live your intended life, with many chapters, and mindfulness is one of the chapters in the book of meditation.

A little more on Mindfulness –

In essence, mindfulness is about paying total attention and awareness to something, without judgement. These can include our experience of the present moment, our own bodies, our thoughts and emotions, our unseen assumptions and our conditioned habits of mind and behaviour.

With the hectic lives we lead today, when was the last time you were able to slow down and breathe, much less pay attention to the present moment? I bet it’s been awhile. In fact, on most days you’re probably feeling so overwhelmed, worried and stressed that you’re happy just to make it through another day.

In the past 35 years, meditation in various forms (including mindfulness) has found its way into the mainstream of medicine, health care, and psychology, where it has been broadly applied and continues to be studied through clinical research and neuroscience.

In fact, in recent years, meditation and mindfulness have also begun to move into business environments, sports performance, the armed forces and even astronauts.

Mindfulness is being conscious of what you’re feeling, more intentional about your behaviors, and more attentive to the impact you have on others. Start using mindfulness meditation and you will see benefits such as improved focus, greater control over stress, balanced emotions, stronger immune system, a clear mind and many more…

But don’t just take my word for it. There’s plenty of scientific research that backs up what I am saying, and I am happy to show you how to make the benefits real in your life too!

SoulCentre is Asia’s Premier Personal Development Centre for meditation, mindfulness and stress management.

Attend our popular ‘Meditation Made Simple’ program and understand how meditation and mindfulness can benefit your life tremendously.

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Life Coaching – How does it help me?

Do you ever feel as if life is simply passing you by and you are not really living the life you dreamed of?

This happens to all of us at some point in time and often it is because we have stopped really focussing on what we want to get out of life. Instead we start to please others and do what is expected of us, fulfilling the multiple roles that we have taken on and end up like a hamster running round and round on a wheel without much thought to where or what we are doing.

So at this moment, as you are reading this blog, I want you to STOP and ask yourself this one question.

What do I want from my life?

Yes YOU – the person reading this

What do YOU want for YOUR life?

For one moment forget your roles, forget your kids, your job, your partner, your dog, your shopping list, your facebook account, your need to be busy… and simply think about YOU!

If you need some help with this question, then give us a call and book a one-on-one life coaching session.

So what is a Life Coach and what will a Life Coach support and guide you on?

• A life coach is someone who will ask you questions that really make you think.
• A life coach is someone you can trust.
• A life coach is someone who will push you just a bit further than you could ever imagine is possible.
• A life coach will listen to you fully and without interrupting you.
• A life coach is someone who will hold up a mirror and help you see what limiting beliefs you may be carrying.
• A life coach will not judge you.
• A life coach is someone who will see your strengths and start to build on these.
• A life coach will also support you on any weaker areas, however this will not be their focus – after all your strengths are what will take you higher.
• A life coach will help you see the patterns of your life and will give you action points to change.
• A life coach will bring change to your life for the better.

Change is EASY – it begins with one thought, followed by ACTION.

So what are you waiting for?

A fun life awaits you - maximise your potential.

Life Coaching – How does it help me?

Do you ever feel as if life is simply passing you by and you are not really living the life you dreamed of?

This happens to all of us at some point in time and often it is because we have stopped really focussing on what we want to get out of life. Instead we start to please others and do what is expected of us, fulfilling the multiple roles that we have taken on and end up like a hamster running round and round on a wheel without much thought to where or what we are doing.

So at this moment, as you are reading this blog, I want you to STOP and ask yourself this one question.

What do I want from my life?

Yes YOU – the person reading this

What do YOU want for YOUR life?

For one moment forget your roles, forget your kids, your job, your partner, your dog, your shopping list, your facebook account, your need to be busy… and simply think about YOU!

If you need some help with this question, then give us a call and book a one-on-one life coaching session.

So what is a Life Coach and what will a Life Coach support and guide you on?

• A life coach is someone who will ask you questions that really make you think.
• A life coach is someone you can trust.
• A life coach is someone who will push you just a bit further than you could ever imagine is possible.
• A life coach will listen to you fully and without interrupting you.
• A life coach is someone who will hold up a mirror and help you see what limiting beliefs you may be carrying.
• A life coach will not judge you.
• A life coach is someone who will see your strengths and start to build on these.
• A life coach will also support you on any weaker areas, however this will not be their focus – after all your strengths are what will take you higher.
• A life coach will help you see the patterns of your life and will give you action points to change.
• A life coach will bring change to your life for the better.

Change is EASY – it begins with one thought, followed by ACTION.

So what are you waiting for?

A fun life awaits you - maximise your potential.

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

Meditation Classes in Singapore

MEDITATION CLASSES IN SINGAPORE

2016 has seen a sharp increase in the number of people turning to Meditation. The pace of life is speeding up; we are all multitasking more often and for longer periods and also the opportunities for distraction have never been greater. It all results in excessive thoughts and a mind that feels as if it is spiraling out of control and has no peace.

I caught up with the latest batch of students who have learnt Meditation Made Simple, a beginners guide to meditation at SoulCentre.

SoulCentre is Asia’s Premier Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness and under the guidance of Vikas Malkani, students are taken through a 4-session beginners program.

I asked them how has Meditation benefitted them and here are some insightful replies.

• Meditation has really benefitted me, I have learnt to see the positive in all situations and to focus on the good in my life.
• Meditation has given me simple tools to use throughout the day and in life to quiet my mind and to be in tune with myself.
• I changed how I view my life!
• It has opened my eyes more to my surroundings and helps me see the negatives that I have let affect me.
• Now I really understand meditation, its simple and the tools are helpful and work.
• How beautiful to get the tools for a happy life.
• It was a truly great course!
• I am more conscious of the good in my life.
• Made me understand that it is me that can bring good things into my life.
• It was so simple – powerful and easy to apply into daily life.
• I am already calmer at home with my children and more understanding with my husband.
• I had learnt meditation earlier but this course was so different – it taught techniques that can be used anywhere! It was so beneficial.

Students leave after 4 sessions like a new person…it was so inspiring to see. And as for Vikas himself, the teacher, this is what they say:

• He is very accessible, calm and clear, I love his style of teaching.
• No words can describe him – thank you Vikas!
• He is inspirational, interesting, informative and encouraging.
• He is an ocean of wisdom; I am so blessed to be able to learn from him.
• He is fun, an excellent storyteller, authentic, clear and direct.
• Lovely, gentle, warm natured and so approachable.
• He vibrates calmness, compassion, acceptance, wisdom and is such an amazing teacher.

SoulCentre holds classes each month and they are in the morning (10 am – 12 noon) and again in the evening (7pm – 9pm)

Check out the website – www.soulcentre.org for dates and for on line bookings.

There is also an On-Line program for mediation on the website – for those who want to learn in their own space and time and for those who simply want to stay connected to the wisdom at all times.

What is really certain in Life?

Have you ever stopped to really think about what is certain in life?

You only need to switch on the news and you can see that the unexpected happens each and every day. We could say that each moment is uncertain and indeed there is uncertainty in each and every moment. Do you really know what will happen in the next day or even in the next 10 minutes?

The goal to a stable mind is to embrace uncertainty. 

Become wise as those with wisdom know that "you do not know it all."

Understand the space around you. Simply observe and see the constant flow of change that happens all around.

Once you know and accept that life is always about change, then you become secure, confident and safe.

If you fight change or fear it - then you become insecure and have a disturbed mind.

Focus your efforts on your own self growth - develop your self esteem, know yourself and focus your efforts on understanding your thoughts/emotions and actions.

Do not put all your energies and focus on the external world - For you have no control there.

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To connect with Sally :
Tel : +65 98752372 

www.soulcentre.org

info@soulcentre.org

Be Authentic … Follow your heart …

We are all born with pure potential, and a promise of being able to be the best we can be. This promise is the reason we took birth, yet as we grow we move further away from this promise and actually forget what it is..

Imagine that the day you are born, you came with a bright white, clean, blank piece of paper; there is nothing written upon it. You have to write what you wish to be and what you want to become is totally up to you and is possible!

However once we are born, others begin to write on this piece of paper. They are people who have your best interests at heart – like our parents, teachers, leaders of communities etc… They write things from their viewpoint, what they feel is right for you

Things like :

“Sally should be a lawyer when she grows up”

“Sally should get married and have children”

“Sally should play the piano, as I always wanted to do that as a child”

“Sally must get good grades in school and go to University”

“Sally should always put others needs before her own”

The list goes on and the expectations that others impose upon us continue throughout life. Eventually we lose sight of our natural gift and begin to live a life of continuous futile attempts trying to fulfill other people’s hopes, dreams and expectations.

How others see the world is not how we see the world, we see the world from our own conditioning and experiences.

How can the generations before us even begin to comprehend the unlimited opportunities of the future generations?

Take something as obvious as technology … it is the youth who are creating the technology of the future … not the previous generation.

Soon we begin to lose sight of the promise we are born with and the natural passion we have for life.

At this moment – STOP and ask yourself the following questions :

• Am I happy with life at this moment?
• Am I passionate each day as I wake up? 
• Do I rise each morning excited to start a new day – or full of dread and moans?
• Are you in a relationship that fulfills you emotionally and physically?

If life is great then congratulations! Continue doing what you are doing and enjoy! However if you are not happy with some aspect of life, first identify what that aspect is and then decide to change.

The secret is to become authentic!

Live a life where you bring out the best from inside you and be what you want to be. Find that special gift that you were born with and follow your heart. Forget about trying to fulfill the expectations of others – they have their own life to live and in which to fulfill themselves.

As you walk in this direction you will naturally manifest Happiness and Passion for life.

Top Tips to become Authentic

• Know yourself and what you want from life.
• Know what makes you happy and keeps you passionate.
• Stop doing anything that depletes you or makes you negative.
• Stop living to make others happy – start by making small changes, ,e.g. do not accept invitations to activities or events that you do not want to go to.
• Take time out for “ME” – connect again with nature and feel balance and harmony in life.
• Do new things! Especially those things you have always wanted to do.
• Loosen up - be child like and stop fitting in!
• Do not simply watch each day pass you by – take action and participate fully in life!
• Live today as if it was your last day on earth ... you never know it may really be so ...

The Universe does not make mistakes, you came here for a reason and you are full of special talents. You owe it to yourself and to the world to BE AUTHENTIC.

Having walked the path it is clear that those who have courage can give courage to others, just as the flame of the candle can light up another… I urge you to take a step towards your authentic self ... one step leads to another and you will soon discover your passion and purpose in life!

You are born an Original. So bring that gift to the world … Do not die a copy!

Sally Forrest

BSc, MRPharmS, MBA

Managing Director

SoulCentre Academy

www.soulcentre.org

"What TRULY matters in my LIFE…"

We live in an age of constant connection.
Every 3 minutes we allow ourselves to be distracted - either by other people or self-distracted.

Facebook users on average check their account every 6 minutes ….
We check our e-mails over 80 times a day …
The moment our phones beep we have to check them and then we usually react ….
We have laptops, ipads, phones, TV's …. 24 hour connectivity that constantly pulls our attention.
We have news access 24/7 ....
We live in a world where everything is available at a moments notice 365 days a year !

Ever stopped to really wonder where our focus is?

What really MATTERS in LIFE?

Take out 5 minutes of your day today - simply STOP - sit in a peaceful place - close your eyes and ask yourself :

"What TRULY matters in my life…"

At SoulCentre we are here to help you focus …..
Find out what truly matters in your life - Life then becomes brighter.

Each and every person has huge potential ...

Having spent the weekend with 31 children, I reflected on how enthusiastic and passionate they are about sharing their dream.

• I want to be a vet 
• I want to be an astronaut 
• I want to be a model 
• I want to be a nurse 
• I want to be a jet fighter pilot 
• I want to be a professional gymnast 
• I want to be a professional soccer player 

Their excitement and levels of enthusiasm were off the scale.

I asked the same question to a few adults recently and their replies could not be more different.

• I have no clue
• Anything except what I am doing now with my life 
• Not sure - given up on my dream
• Whats the point - I am too old to achieve it now….

Each and every person has huge potential inside them. It's just waiting to come out.
So find out exactly what it is that sets you on fire!
What it is that you get so absorbed in that you lose track of time?
What it is that you would happily do for no charge…

These answers will take you one step forward towards your passion and purpose in life.
Then simply take action and watch the magic unfold !!!

If you need my help - I am here :)