A Love Letter to Yourself

Last week I was talking of the tendency a lot of us can have of feeling that we are not good enough, that we may be seen through as being an ‘imposter’. This week we turn instead to how we […]

Self Worth rather than self-flagellation

We may not have Patsy’s degree of self-belief but as we enter the New Year do we do so with a sense of needing to improve or of appreciating who we are? Can we indeed say “I am fabulous!” Perhaps we […]

Why do we find it so hard to accept a compliment?

Have you ever noticed a tendency in yourself or others to feel uncomfortable in receiving a compliment? This can play out in different ways: 1. Assumed criticism: Someone tells you you look great and rather than receiving this as appreciation you think […]

What Does Homosexuality Offer To The Tribe?

Each week in the gay men’s mindfulness class we finish with the Loving Kindness practice. Loving Kindness grows from a sense of our wish for our well being and happiness. To truly wish for one’s own happiness we need a deep sense of our own value and worth. […]

The Fear of Commitment

Summary: What is it that causes us to fear committing? Teal Swan suggests it arises from the desire to be free as commitment is felt to be confining. This may have its roots in a child hood where we were made to grow up too […]

Thoughts are not facts

Before Christmas I met a man at a party. Shortly after we started talking a man came up and was introduced as his boyfriend. I was a little disappointed as I had found him attractive, but that was that. We […]

How changing your posture can change your behaviour

Some years ago I remember seeing a fascinating set of drawings of how chimps change their posture as they become increasingly distressed, sad or emotionally overwhelmed. The postures they adopt look very familiar – arms crossed, body hunched, making themselves […]

The Fifth hindrance to meditation: doubt

The Five Hindrances The mind states that disturb the natural clarity of our heart-mind have been described as the five hindrances. Each hindrance has its own flavour and over this set of five emails I’ll explore each hindrance. But first, […]