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February 2010
Hello friend,
Welcome to 2010. With summer here in amongst the occasional icy Antarctic winds of Melbourne, I could not help but listen with sparked attention to the words of a fire authority on ABC Radio National -
"Don't rely on technology to get you out of danger. Stick your head out the door, smell the air, look at the sky, listen to the elements, feel the heat; stay connected." This might sound like the call of a modern day yogi expressing the virtues of being open, alert and alive. But it was the simple but passionate plea from an ordinary man calling for us to pay attention -to wake up and trust our instincts. With today's obsessive need for speed, this is truly an art form. Following our instincts is a lot like love; you have to be willing to go into it and along with it.
We have recently returned from basking on the beautiful northern beaches of New South Wales and Queensland. During our time there, we received calls and emails from people with the following concerns:
"I can't stop thinking when I meditate."
"Please help me to stop thinking."
"I haven't had a good night's sleep in twenty years; my thinking keeps me awake."
"I want to meditate but I'm afraid to stop my mind."
Whilst thinking has its place in the world, it can inappropriately take over in considerable ways - particularly in meditation. Even very experienced meditators continue to invite in the thought police and run the risk of feeling wretched and unrested; others may give up completely.
Whether you're a beginner who needs to learn the basics or a seasoned meditator who may need to review your approach to the basics; perhaps even simplify - it pays to give yourself the freedom to be with your thoughts; after all, our brain and soul need the alchemy of processing to sort the gold from the dross each day.
Just like bad habits we've developed, overcoming unwanted meditation habits or patterns that reside deeply in our nervous system, can take a while to leave us. Any taboos, inner voices or constrictions you have about meditation need to be re-examined, for the sake of your own health and direction in life. For me personally, over the years, I still find it an interesting journey unlearning the things I have learnt about meditation and in life generally. As a result I feel I inhabit a more connected, integrated and authentic sense of self.
Thinking is, and will always be, a natural part of meditation and the more you accept this fact - the more your nervous system spontaneously unwinds, dilates and relaxes. There is so much mythology surrounding meditation, but even His Holiness The Dalai Lama admits to having thoughts when he meditates. Back in Los Angeles in 1989, when I was sitting on stage with a very appreciative clergy receiving teachings from the Dalai Lama, he promptly declared -
"Thoughts, not a problem, I also have thinking during meditation."
"What a relief." I thought to myself at the time!
No big deal, except that when it comes from the same man who when asked by a journalist if he missed out on anything because of his particular lifestyle, he was known to laugh and point to his groin - "Obviously, I missed this ... naturally as a human being ... some kind of desire for sex comes", according to the Good Weekend November 2009.
Clearly part of the man's universal appeal, is that he belongs to our world.
So rather than battle head on with your thinking, give yourself a fresh approach to meditation this year. Are you ready to negotiate a new meditation path? What is being asked is a paradigm shift in the way you approach meditation, one that broadens your expression, meaning and connection. Give up the fight and let your meditation sessions unfold all by themselves; it just may be the rapport you had to have with yourself - to let the rhythm, pleasure and enjoyment find its way back home to YOU.
Keep breathing to be the change you live and, to help you love in all ways!
Warmest wishes,
arian@arianyoung.com.au
http://www.arianyoung.com.au
Phone 1300 020 030
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| Your Meditation Coaching Space |
Taste Sensation
Here's something to think about. What makes a fresh salad different from a commercial burger? And what makes lettuce and tomatoes grown in the rich soil of a well cared for home garden different from the salad in your Big Mac? Is there an actual difference some of you might be asking?
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| Interview: Look Who Meditates In The 21st Century |
Could this be YOU this year?
Imagine increased clarity, certainty and freedom.
How and when we meditate, is a personal matter, indeed. We know what food we love to eat, the clothes we prefer to wear, or the music we love to listen to, right down to how we enjoy making love - our essential nature is always informing us.
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Our one day workshops will commence March 28th and April 25th
"My fears about meditation being boring, terribly disciplined and uncomfortable are no longer real. Arian is so tuned in to what is happening with the group it's astounding. Her gifts inspire us to be curious, creative and imaginative ... thank you so much!"
Jennifer Dawson -Midwife and painter
'Learn to Meditate for Self-Care.' March 28th
For beginners and experienced meditators.
And
'Awakening Sustainable Wellness -
Giving our Attention to What Matters.' April 25th
Some meditation exerience required.
"This one day workshop has made me see what's possible when I take care of myself. Arian's message, 'Reach out and make yourself matter' inspires the most caring and compassionate thing we could do for ourselves. Thank you Arian for making me see what truly matters."
Frances Wetherby - Design Consultant
Phone 1300 020 030
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Enlightened companies are recognising the importance of workplace wellness.
Read what satisfied clients are saying:
"Today's working environment can only benefit from managing the inherent stresses of work. Giving our teams the means to deal with on going stress, learning to give our mind and body intervals of calm, clarity and relaxation has been long overdue ..."
Bentley Australia Chartered Accountants - Sydney and Brisbane
"Arian's insightful and practical workshop makes meditation very enjoyable and achievable. She pressed home the need for self-care as nurses; we got a great thing going here with our spot meditations and group meditation evenings."
Joyce Pratners. Ramsey Health Care - Adelaide
We could all benefit from learning how to remain calm, alert and responsive without sacrificing productivity.
A new generation of business leaders is turning to mindfulness, the art of attention, as a cutting edge tool in the workplace - to help reduce stress, increase clarity and optimise performance.
For Training, Executive Coaching, Presentations, Seminars, Conferences and Conventions.
"Arian really makes meditation relevant to the 21st century workplace with a balance of theory and practical training that is helpful and effective daily meditation skills that work."
Helen Glouftis -DCH Health
Phone 1300 020 030
Read more...
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| Learn to Meditate For Self-Care - 4 week Courses |
Our 4 week courses for 2010:
March, June, September and November.
So how are you travelling so far with your sense of self?
See what people have recently said about our 4 week courses:
"I didn't know what to expect and it was just so refreshing to be involved in a course that was practical, with an instructor who not only spoke with great experience, but also has an appreciation for the real world and real life experiences without judgement. Thank you so much Arian, a really positive experience."
Pippa Mcnaughton-Smith - ANZ Bank
"I would recommend this meditation course to anybody that is interested in learning more about themselves and life. It suits any lifestyle, is flexible and will make a difference. I would love my friends and family to also receive the benefits as I have."
Lisa Mantella - Account Manager Optus
"Arian's message that you can't do somebody else's meditation but your own, has made me see why I had so much difficulty learning meditation years ago; her training gives me the freedom I need to keep a balanced and happy life."
Chris Thompson. Architect - Melbourne City Council
"Arian uses her very own experiences and opinions of meditation that encourage us to stay the individuals we are; not imitate traditional meditation theories and practices. It's the best way through to our own self-discovery and self-awareness. The best rules we learnt ... is that there aren't any, meditation with Arian is like discovering a new part of your brain to play with and explore; there's no reason for anybody not to do this course."
Leanne Savage. Senior Graphic Designer - Headland
In a world where numerous changes happen in a heartbeat, let the path of self-discovery and integrated living become an exploration to finding what helps your prana (chi, energy) flow and watch the stress go.
Let our 4 week Learn to Meditate for Self-Care Courses be the road back to yourself!
All classes are conducted in comfortable chairs.
For more information click here or phone 1300 020 030
Next: March 11th - April 1st (Filling fast) Book here
$50 Credit If you didn't know, for those of you who have done training with us in the form of courses, workshops, personal and group coaching, if you refer someone to us who completes a program you will receive a $50 credit towards the next program you book with us. (Refer 3 people and do our Sunday workshops for only $15!). Just let us know the names of your referrals before they book.
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| One-on-One Meditation Coaching |
The popularity of our one-on-one meditation coaching is not surprising, given the privacy and discretion, and the incredible results our clients experience!
"If you told me 6 months ago that I would voluntarily stop and learn to meditate, I would have told you, put down your beer, you're out of your mind dude! Arian is amazingly gifted, she makes it easy, no fuss, no drama. I can switch off, even when I sleep."
Daniel Macpherson - CEO Software Engineering
In just a few sessions, discover the magic of your own unique meditation style.
Be amazed as you discover what exactly helps you, to relax your body, slow your thinking, increase your clarity and, sharpen your awareness.
It's the perfect tool for 21st century living!
"Why doesn't everyone meditate? These new life skills compliment everything I do in life. No more headaches and tension. Even my husband says he likes being with me again."
Eli Morgan - Senior Lawyer
Packages available
Call now to find out how we can personalise meditation coaching for your unique needs:
Phone 1300 020 030
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Our Store is designed for on-the-go people who want more from life.
Awaken your self-care ability to renew and refocus regularly with our Spot Meditation Packages. Intended as micro breaks (30 seconds - 1 minute meditations) help activate calm, alertness and energy, anytime, anywhere.
Our Longer Meditations are designed to help sustain deep relaxation, slow down thinking and create inner peace. A must for 21st century living as you learn to cultivate clarity, insight and understanding of your innate pathways to heal.
Our e-Books provide a visual complement to audio MP3 training. Learn at your own pace, make notes, as you learn in your own relaxed time and space.
Our Gift Vouchers are a great gift idea for those family and friends who truly deserve to live a deeper, more authentic, balanced and inspired life.
No previous meditation experience required.
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| Meditation in our Global Village |
A British School Teaches Meditation Lessons to Beat Stress
Leading public school, The Tonbridge School in Kent has already given its schoolboys their first meditation lesson, as part of a course designed by psychologists from Oxford and Cambridge Universities and, designed specifically for adolescents aged 14 and 15. The project, which is the first to introduce meditation skills as a regular subject on the curriculum, comes after the success of a pilot study at the school last year.
Designed to help them with skills in concentration, anxiety and corrosive mindsets, the training helps to not be hijacked by strong emotions.
Source - Med India. January
Molecules Linked to Longer Life
A Nobel Prize winning laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco has found biological proof that stress is linked to overall health and longevity. Research on a molecule called a Telomere which is attached to the the ends of human chromosomes acts like a shield and effectively protects our chromosomes. "Key research now suggests that those who are more relaxed and who find ways to calm down - have longer Telomeres and that perception of stress is key to Telomere length," says Marvin Blazer who runs a meditation class at University of California Los Angeles' Mindfulness Awareness Program.
Source - Fox News.com January
Gwyneth Paltrow's New Year resolution
Gwyneth Paltrow has realised that she needs to learn to meditate because her brain "drives her mental and I desperately want to learn it" The actor who crashed her vehicle into the back of another car while carrying out the school run in icy conditions last week, has said that it is high time she does something to relieve her stress. Meditation is something Paltrow always wanted to do but didn't know how to. "My friends who do it say it's really freaking and brilliant. They say you can't know the peace, awareness and contentment until you do it." Source - Oneindia. January
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