Paving Your Pathway To Peace

Sometimes the universe deals us some truly painful cards and with the unpredictability of life, often the outcome of our circumstances is neither one we desire nor expect. Sometimes things simply cannot be changed. Therefore, we need to surrender and to learn to accept what is. In today's lesson we learn that acceptance is the key to ascending above a great deal of life’s anguish and in doing so, turn it into something of greater value and worth to our existence. Together, we come to realise that every episode in our life whether good or bad, is a lesson.

There is an expression that if you quiet the mind, the ‘soul’ will speak. Nothing can be more powerful than a state of stillness, a state of silence. Silence is healing, soothing, compelling and intoxicating. This lesson identifies ways to reach both outer and inner silence and looks at a collation of the things we do to sabotage finding this state of deep rest. It is true, that once one surrenders to silence, the senses become more astute and we come to understand who we really are.

"Patience is a virtue." There is no doubt. So what do we need to do? This is a profound and insightful lesson that will provide us with the means to re-install patience into our busy lives, such as returning to the moment, slowing down, and taking some deep breaths when we are feeling overwhelmed. By identifying the triggers that set us off, we can create distance from the disquiet, whether it be real or imagined, physical or emotional.

In traditional Chinese medicine it is often cited that the greatest medicine of all is the breath. The breath is a precious gift that heals us, soothes us and draws us inwards to come home to ourself - to that place that is inherently peaceful. In this lesson, we shall observe how we breathe and ascertain how healthy our breathing patterns really are. Together, we will observe how our breathing impacts us physiologically, mentally and emotionally and what we need to do to rectify poor breathing habits. We will end this lesson with a simple breathing practice to quiet the mind.

It is considered by many that nothing is more attractive than watching someone enter the room with a beaming smile. Someone who radiates a joyful spirit. In this lesson, we question what joy is, what to do when we are not feeling ‘joyful,’ and how we can manifest this state at call. Simple steps along the way such as being kind to oneself, giving to others, meandering not dashing, indulging in peaceful pleasures, living within our values and giving ourselves space to enjoy the beauty that surround us, allow us to harness a deep and lasting state of joy.

You may well ask the question ‘how is ‘kindness’ a pathway to peace'? Well, let’s look at this more intently. In this lesson, we ask how you feel when your actions assist another person. Are we wired to be kind? What do we need to unload to be kind? Is it possible that kindness affects us biochemically? Together, we will delve into exploration on the impact of kindness, on our heart, and not just emotionally, but on a physiological basis.

How can any of us be peaceful if we don’t experience a deep connection with the human race and/or nature, and most importantly ourselves? How can we feel at peace if we are isolated and lonely? Being alone is one thing but being lonely is another. In today's lesson we explore the concept of connection. Social isolation has been recognised as a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in humans, for more than a quarter of a century. And yet, we don’t seem to be paying attention. How social is social media? What does chronic loneliness do to the body? Have we lost connection with ourselves? Together, we discuss some of the tools we need to dispel isolation and to re-connect.

What is success? Let’s take a simple definition, defining success as 'accomplishment'. When we accomplish anything at all, a sense of contentment sets in. In this last lesson, we delve into an honest and thought provoking discussion on what our personal perspective of success is, if it can be measured, and by whom, how we recognise it in ourselves and ultimately, what type of ‘success’ this planet needs.