You don't need to be a Buddhist to be a Buddhist.
(Wait, what?)
I know:
Buddha statues are everywhere, and even the name Buddhism makes it sound like you have to sign up for a religion.
And sure, for some people, it is a religion, Reader.
But it’s also way more nuanced than that.
The Buddha wasn’t a god.
He was just a guy.
A (possibly bald) guy who, after spending the better part of his life suffering, said "Alright, that’s enough of that," and decided to try something different.
And so he meditated until he stopped suffering. AKA, he awakened.
And then people were like, “WAIT WHAT! tell us how you did it.”
And now here we are, 2,500 YEARS LATER, still talking about it.
PS: Buddha == sanskrit for 'The Awakened One'. (the guy who discovered how to calm the f*ck out before it was mainstream)
One of my favorite things about Buddhism is that it's not a faith tradition: it's an evidence-centric insight tradition.
If something feels like BS? Cool. You don’t have to buy it.
Questioning is not just allowed, it’s encouraged.
I’m not here to sell you on Buddhism.
Buddhism itself isn’t trying to replace whatever you currently believe.
I’m just sharing ideas that have helped me suffer less as a person, wife, friend, teacher, coach, and trainer.
Buddhism is not about becoming a Buddhist.
It's about suffering for stuff we cannot control 1% less every day.
If you're in London (or nearby), I’d love to see you next Sunday:
🪷📢 [IN PERSON] Intro to Minduflness Meditation Afternoon Workshop
📅 Next Sunday 13/04, 2-4:30 PM >>> Join us
For the last 10 years, I’ve been deep in the world of secular mindfulness (science-based mindfulness outside the Buddhist tradition). Neuroscience, stress reduction, attention training all that good stuff.
But in the last 3 years, I started asking myself:
🤔 Where does mindfulness actually fit in Buddhism?
🤔 How much of what we practice today is a Western remix?
🤔 How much of what we practice is sometings that got wildly distorted over time?
So, I dove headfirst into Theravāda and Zen traditions, and this workshop is my collection of “AHA!!!!” moments along the way.
💡 Expect some deep nerding-out.
💡 Expect to keep what resonates and unapologetically discard the rest.
💡 Expect a dive into the four establishments of mindfulness, with a special focus on mindfulness of the body (there will be a eating and a light movement practice!).
Every-body and every level of experience is welcome.
If you joined the online course, yes! You can definitely join this workshop, too. The content will be different.
Where? The stunning Yonder Studio space in London E17. Yoga props provided, café on-site, climbing walls & co-working space if you fancy making a day of it.
🌱 What else is coming up?
🪷 09/04
FREE Monthly Mindfulness Circle
This is a space for leaders, changemakers and professionals to come together, meditate for 15 minutes and ask any questions about your practice.
Register here→
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🪷 In April
Two 1:1 Coaching packages
Work 1:1 with me. Tap into your strengths, navigate your challenges, and shape a vision that aligns with your values. Let's chat and see if we are a good fit.
Read more here→
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🪷 Starts 09/05
ICF Coaching Training:
Level 2
Call for coaches! If you're already coaching at the ACC level, this is your opportunity to level up towards your PCC certification. Cohort almost full!
Book here→
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Like always, thank you for reading.
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Wishing you all a lovely start to your weekend!
With love and gratitude
