2017 - 2018

Here’s a sampling of participants written comments from the classes in 2017 - 2018. They were responding to the following questions:

What will you use the most in your daily life?   

Compassion and love for self. Giving myself permission to stop, taking time to be still. Being where I am in my journey at the moment, I practice a lot of ‘letting go’ and ‘letting be’ and looking forward to further practice equanimity. Self care and self reflection is good. And trying new things. I truly believe this was good for my soul. 

Slowing my mind down and accessing intuition in a busy life. Tools that I can use in order for me to be truely mindful in my daily life. 

Self acceptance and kindness towards others. Mindfulness - to be aware and present. Being more mindful! With myself and others which is not always easy. Learning to "mind the gap". Accept that that what is happening in life right now "is how it is." 

Being mindful throughout the day, curiosity, acceptance, taking time to send heartfelt Metta to others, being kind to self, reassuring self that this is hard but it's ok. 

I also try to work on being mindful during the day and so far every day the course came into my mind as a good reminder to practice mindfulness. 

Metta!!! Metta, LovingKindness is something that I really connect with and I am using it each morning in my meditations as well as throughout each day. I use it when I am in a conversation with someone,. Metta is an amazingly powerful tool that has opened me up and in turn I have been aware of a gentle shift into effortlessness in majority of my relationships. 

To listen presently to all being said, and not think about what or how I am going to respond. 

Not to get caught up in the "stories". 

Balance - mind, body, soul. Take time to reflect. 

I give time to go beyond just noticing and really pay attention and be present. The different meditations and analogies that went with them really help to find stillness when I’m meditating. I use these and Metta in daily life. 

How was the Mindfulness Meditation for you?  

I have been delighted to experience the positive effects that meditation has had in my daily life. I have found myself being pulled towards sitting down to meditate in the late afternoon; almost as if my heart is looking for that stillness and love that it brings. I was very taken back how easy I found it to meditate around people in a group

I am wide awake on this beautiful moonlit night, I'm off to meditate and continue my journey to mindfulness from a true place of understanding.
The practice of meditation was quite hard having been so used to “busy mode” but daily mindfulness I find much easier and beneficial.

I enjoyed the meditations in class and sharing with others.
In class it was easier as it was lead and in a group situation. At home I need to be more disciplined and make the time which I find I am managing better as time goes on.
I‘ve really enjoyed the different meditation in class. Having a guided meditation made a difference to me. I feel more confident with meditating at home now because we could ask questions and learned a lot about how to meditate or what we can do if we struggle.
I have not skipped one day of meditation and I have continued to meditate post the final class! Have gladly inserted this into my morning routine – what an awesome way to start the day!!

The meditation is incredibly good for me. Taking short breaks to meditate is the most useful thing I can do daily to keep present, calm and kind to myself and others. Loving kindness is the most precious thing I have now to offer myself and others.
Enjoyed the class practices. At home, still struggle with the discipline of daily practice but am finding it useful to train myself to be more present.
I benefit most from early morning meditations as I awake to a new dawn.
Meditating every day. Lovely, even if I think it’s not working.
I will continue to practice.

What ways have you noticed that you’ve changed?

I have become more compassionate and loving to myself and am more likely to let things go which would have used up additional energy in the past. I have found a way to connect and reconnect with myself wherever and whenever I need to ... to create space in and around me. I have been more compassionate towards myself and my thoughts which has really helped take pressure off my shoulders. I’m not as self critical which feels amazing.

From feeling little with “opening my heart” at the beginning, I gradually could actually become aware of opening with practicing regularly.

Definitely made more aware of reactions to situations that often generated negative feelings. Much calmer. Equanimity - not being thrown off balance over minor situations. Have become more accepting (less judgemental. Good to know that I CAN be less judgemental of self and others if I’m mindful (remind myself) Significant change. I was going through a crisis, broken hearted and grieving. Metta has reassured and reminded me that we are all worthy of the comfort of love, to give and receive.

I feel like I‘m a bit more relaxed with myself and more forgiving and not so critical anymore. I feel calmer and more positiv and I have the feeling that I‘m more aware of my “body feeling“. I will keep up with the meditations My need to be aware and full of love and empathy. In relation to everyday life, I was more aware than I have ever been about thoughts/emotions and external stimuli that either closed or opened me. Upon recognition of my closed heart, the very act of awareness helped to address that closure and allowed space to implement compassion and love which would facilitate openness.

Accept that I am worthy of receiving LovingKindness from others. Generally more peaceful and centred overall. Communicating calmly and effectively with challenging people. Moving forward from stressful moments faster.

Metta is working well for me. I’m prepared for adventures whatever the destination. Starting each day in a peaceful way. Letting go old habitual, useless behaviours. Greater clarity in all areas of my life.

I have noticed a few communications with other people where I reacted more helpfully and kindly than I otherwise might have. I think due to being more present in the conversation and not getting sidetracked by my own fears.

How would you describe the class?

A small class of likeminded people guided by a loving and kind facilitator through group and individual meditation towards opening your heart, greater acceptance, love, compassion and kindness to self and others. I’d highly recommend to most people I know. I’m thankful I was a part of the course.

Loved every minute. Will assist me in my quest to become the best person I can be.

A reflective process which puts life’s problems in perspective. Gained a feeling of Peacefulness.

Very helpful in being calmer and mindful - good for people who are stressed and highly strung.

As a necessary part of personal growth

It‘s a mindfulness class with guided beautiful meditations in a very safe environment. I felt safe to ask questions and talk about feelings. I would describe this class as mind expanding. I would say it is a way to become more in touch with yourself and others around you and to start the process of healing and growing. Taking this journey together and getting to discuss our ideas, experiences etc. was a great way to practice coming back to here and now.

Meditation is something that when practiced can change your view of the world and others close to you. When you notice that change and the calm reassuring loving kindness, then others feel it too.
I’d share the details of what was covered and the benefits I experienced.
Started out curious. And now even more curious.
With open mind and open heart, classes are a great way to start, discovering a whole new way, to guide you on for all your day.

I would recommend the class, especially for anyone seeking more peace in their life. I would describe it as a place to learn and practise tools for a more balanced life.- with awesome guidance.