Meditation is the practice of stilling the mind, becoming more aware of your thoughts and then being able to quiet them. It is a process of going within yourself and feeling detached from the outside world.

    All day, every day, our minds are whirling to the tune of their own 'internal drama'. Not only are we subject to constant sensory input, from the rumble of the traffic to that of our stomachs, but our reaction to every single incident, every scrap of memory, every concern about the future, be it tomorrow or next week- for most of us, it is very difficult to switch off. Meditation is an excellent tool to help us 'switch off' this compulsive thinking which drains us so much of energy.

    The benefits of meditation are too many to enumerate here but certainly include:

• learning to relax and focus your attention on the present
• getting rid of negative emotions such as fear, guilt and worry
• relief from stress
• improved physical and mental health
• a sustained sense of well-being
• a sense of calm and fulfillment
• a heightened level of concentration
• increased state of awareness

“ Meditation trains us to be present in each moment with awareness, with a great sense of openness of heart, and with clear seeing..... Meditative awareness reduces tension and heals the body. Meditation quiets the mind and gently opens the heart. It steadies the spirit. It helps us to learn to live more fully in the reality of the present, to see more clearly the people we live with and the world we live in. ”

- Jack Kornfiled