Ways to discover your unique state of *equipoise - you choose what suits you.

To experience *equipoise in your daily life simply be kind to yourself. Ok, so that seems a simple statement and yet how come I can hear you ask: 'HOW can I do that?!' 

I asked myself this same question too, especially as life can be overwhelming with everything that we need to do in this oh-so very busy life of ours nowadays. So I'd like to share some life enhancing practices that will give you the foundations to build on your spiritual journey. 

' Let's add some key spiritual pencils to your pencil case. ' 

MEDITATION: Take the time to tune-in and have a moment to yourself. In this technological, break-neck paced world we need to restore our equilibrium, so if we have no way of finding this still and quiet state of *equipoise, how are we able to do what we need to achieve, let alone discover profound happiness, comfort and inspiration that it will afford us. It takes practice -you will find it a lot easier if you have an understanding of Mindfulness already, as it is very much about not letting your mind wander and to bring it back to the breath so you can go within where you can find guidance and inspiration. This is an art in itself worth mastering so you will be able to learn to trust your own Knowing. Great for resilience, self-worth and new understandings.

'Learning to keep centred and to live in heart in every moment will be the most valuable tool you will ever gift yourself, so give yourself the present of being Present.'

TAKE DELIGHT IN NATURE: Walk dogs, hug a tree, paddle on a sea shore, float on your back in turquoise water, lie on your back on newly mown grass and watch the light dapple in the leaves in the tree above, splash in puddles, sing on a mountain top and let the wind move you. You can simply stand still for a moment now, where ever you are, and feel the ground beneath your fee and the breeze on your neck. Bathe in sunshine (with SPF on of course!), moon bathe, forest bathe find your own unique way of bathing ( see me 'wave bathing' in Tel Aviv this month on the 'kontact page' - it was so exhilarating!). Try picking just a single flower and marvel at its perfection, light a candle and watch the flame dance and take comfort by connecting and remembering a departed Loved One in it's pure healing light. Feel the rain on your face and know that it's nature washing you in unconditional love, stick your face in freshly laid snow and feel alive! The purity of water is so valuable so drink plenty of it too. 

There so many simple ways to stay connected to nature and it is crucial to your well-being and happiness to get out there and leave your desk AND your tech behind when possible. Maximise these precious moments without interruption. 

'The elements are our friends, allow them to be your guides and to let you know that you are part of this Universe. You are connected to this wonderful earth, we are all connected and can tune in to our soul and embrace Being and thereby not worrying so much about Doing because, miraculously you will find that, more can then be achieved without so much effort'.  KK

'Dis-engage to re-engage' 
BE TRULY CONNECTED: As I share practices that can help you explore your own state of *equipoise, I'd like you to experience these things for yourself and ponder on your findings. As with my 'no spoon feeding' ethos, I'd like to invite you to take ten minutes to discover the things that make you happy that you currently get to do that are linked to nature. Please note, this is about nature and excludes all technology! Draw up your own list of pursuits and hobbies that bring you joy and peace, that hay also make you laugh and smile even. Then, go through your list again: 
Q. What's missing? Is there anything missing? Anything you have done, but feel you don't have the time for? What is there too much of perhaps, is there anything on it that actually doesn't help you feel connected to the
world? Could you add anything that would make you feel happy? Have you got a good balance of things that make you feel connected and alive?

Feeling connected is crucial to our well-being. Being really connected. 

BESPOKE LIFESTYLE CHOICES TO SUIT YOU: 

KEEP TECH IN CHECK: 

I've chosen to live mobile-free this year - I reached this decision last December as I'd identified it as the one thing that' kept me busy' and ultimately stressed out at the time. So in my bid to feel more connected ironically, and to retain my state of *equipoise, I constrained my smart phone to my sock drawer on New Year's Eve ( much to the horror of my teenagers!). There have been teething problems I'll admit, but interestingly I've found on the whole that I am managing to make it work for me - there are pitfalls and some disadvantages, yet I'm enjoying new found benefits daily such as a stronger feeling that I can rely on myself - I am far more resilient now (I'm discovering my inner Lara Croft especially when travelling alone on international trips this year!). 

'l am finding a new pace to live at - My pace!' 

So, I'd love to ask you, my curious kindred soul I that has found this website, to collaborate with me by pondering various subjects that will come up and kindly giving me your feedback and personal findings if you feel so compelled to join in this cosmic spiritual journey. I'd love to hear your feedback on whether you could give up some of your Technology? I believe we need to take stock of our usage habits before it has got out of hand. As a mother of teenagers, I'm concerned and as communication is my passion and it seems that we may be losing the art to communicate in person. Personal chemistry will be lost and so much more. 

So, my questions for your consideration this month are: 

Q. If you lost your mobile phone for a month - would you have the resilience to survive? 

Possibly, yes or no? 

How would it make you feel? 

What's the first word that comes to mind given this scenario? 

Might there be a length of time that you might cope with living without it? 

Q. Now, ask yourself - If you weren't able to have a mobile phone would you still be able to be happy? 

Could you manage and how would you do this? 

Would you still have the same friends in your life? 

Would you lose any friends in your life? 

Could you ever consider it to be a choice you could make? 

These are thoughts for you to explore - feel into your answers to, by being 'in heart' - what emotions does it bring up for you? Might you be too involved perhaps in the virtual world of virtual friends? Remember the best friend you have includes Yourself and the friends around you - perhaps if you look up from your mobile phone you may discover that the person sitting opposite you, or in the coffee queue or on the train beside you may well just prove to be a new friend. Interaction in person can be eye opening and fun. 

So why not Re-engage with life in the Now. 

' I'd love to hear you thoughts and feelings about this issue as it's important to our mental and emotional health. We all need to find our own in this world of busy-ness and distration'.

YOGA: Find your type of yoga to suit your you. There are many different forms of yoga - try out several until you find what suits you. It's a very personal experience and it's for you to again tune-in to yourself and listen to your body and only do the movement to your own ability in that moment. The body becomes calmer, tense muscles relax as they respond so well to these ancient poses. ' When practising yoga, I'm especially aware of my body, mind and spirit chillax-ing together, as they become in alignment on all Divine levels. It's a spiritual party time for me ! - in a quiet way. ' 

Highly recommended: 

MINDFULNESS: Take the time (if you haven't already) to find a Mindfulness class or book - most courses are 6 to 8 weeks and will prove transformational. This is why a lot of global companies now offer them in the workplace, as well as schools, colleges and Universities, as they recognise the value and importance of this scientifically proven practice and the benefits it brings to an individual's Wellness. Happy, centred people are caring, productive and expansive people. 

It's so liberating to be able to take responsibility for yourself - why wouldn't you want to discover why you get angry, feel rejected, don't feel good enough or feel great anxiety? 

Wouldn't it be great to identify why you can feel hurt and to understand your triggers? Again, as per my 'non spoon feeding ethos', I encourage you to check this out for yourself - it's your journey. Mindfulness is a sure way to get the 'monkey' part of your brain identified and then, through daily vigilance, you can begin to keep it in check. This is my take on what it did for me- I discovered that I'd been feeding 'my monkey', or as my sons might more accurately call it - 'the Drama Queen', with too much cheese, white bread, coffee and alcohol, as well as keeping it therefor sleep deprived, kept me on survival alert. For me, I felt like I was fire-fighting every day and I had to seek a way to change it - I chose a calmer path to tread. 

So, why not see what it can do for you? 

'Mindfulness is a key foundation skill in taking charge of your life.'

- A must-have pencil in your life's pencil case!' 

Will Young Talks Mindfulness:
I found so much inspiration at Will Young’s passionate Mindfulness Talk recently at The Mindful Living Show where he highlighted the value of LISTENING, really Listening to someone, and explained that by simply prefixing your reply with the words ‘I heard you say.... .’- that this is such a fabulous way of validating the person talking to you I.e. that they have been heard.  Something so simple, yet not done often enough and so very valuable.. So please try it – it works wonders. Will shared his own personal experiences and expanded on how he uses Mindfulness techniques in his everyday life to combat stressful situations, as well as even avoiding them all together! His unique mix of openness, subtlety and humour made this a very intimate sharing - his great gift and talent for communicating, whether by singing or talking, is captivating and touching as it comes from his heart so he truly connects with you.

Check out Will Young's Mindfulness Talks coming up in the summer.

‘Will, I heard you say that you put on your batman suit sometimes – I get that – thank you for making my heart smile – thank you for being so generous and kind. You are a fearless and kind soul and I hear you!’

I shall be growing this Blog spot, 'in heart', organically and as I feel it. It is my wish for it to evolve, as it unfolds naturally, by including your feedback, feelings and experiences. I am so grateful and will be so interested to hear your views and if you have any of your own spiritual pencils you'd like to share so I might add them to this expanding pencil case.

In gratitude, Karen x