Awakening the Body and Mind

Dr Lauren Tober is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Yoga Teacher based in Mullumbimby, Australia. With a passion for health, healing, happiness and awakening Lauren integrates the best of western psychology with ancient yogic wisdom, both on and off the mat.Passionate about the life changing benefits of yoga, Lauren is the founder of Mental Health Aware Yoga. Thisprofessional development training for Yoga Teachers is designed to educate teachers about mental health so they can support their yoga students experiencing mental health challenges with compassion, confidence and skill.Lauren is also the founder of the Centre for Mind Body Wellness in Mullumbimby, and Capturing Gratitude, a free global photographic happiness project. She is also the creator of several acclaimed online courses, including A Daily Dose of Bliss, Living Your Heartfelt Desires and Meditation, Pure + Simple.Her work is soulful without being new-agey. It's evidence based, without being clinical. It's authentic, heartfelt and life changing.Lauren believes that happiness is our true nature, and that yoga, gratitude, self compassion, creativity and community help us to cultivate happiness in our lives on an everyday basis.Download Dr Lauren’s collection of free meditations, ebooks and more at www.laurentober.com/library.Here's the link to the Hero's Journey article we spoke about: http://www.laurentober.com/blog/the-heros-journey/If you would like to donate to the podcast you can visit: https://www.paypal.me/awakeningbodyandmind

After 10 years of battling with mental health issues, without seeking treatment Grant was hospitalized in 2012 and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The ocean and surfing was Grant’s saviour in tough times when he was released from hospital. He discovered that onewave is all it takes. After hiding mental health issues for years, he decided enough was enough, it’s time to start talking and sharing his experience to try and help others. “Maybe if I share the simple recipe of saltwater, surfing and talking about mental health I can prevent people from ever feeling the way I did”. So one Friday morning he decided to dress up in a shirt and tie and go surfing solo at Bondi to try and spark conversations about mental health. That was the first OneWave Board Meeting and 4 Board Meetings later Fluro Friday’s were born.To find out more about OneWave visit:www.onewaveisallittakes.comTo learn more about mindfulness and how to meditate you can find me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jessmaguire33/?hl=enAwakening the Body and Mind is a Listener Supported podcast that relies on donations. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, I appreciate any contribution you wish to give for the gift of this episode. Donations can be made through PayPal: PayPal.Me/awakeningbodyandmind#onewave #onewaveisallittakes #mentalhealth #bipolar #mindfulness #anxiety #depression

Zenith Virago is a deathwalker, educator author, speaker and author. She is the founder, EO and Deathwalker Trainer for the Natural Death Care Centre.She brings a contemporary, natural, holistic awareness to death, ceremony and loss. She describes her work as “simple yet sacred”.It was such an honour to have Zenith as a guest on my podcast. She truly embodies this work and offers perspectives on how facing our own death, as well as the death of those we love the most, can have a profound impact on how we choose to live.We also speak about how to just be with people at the most intense moments of their lives and deaths. We cover how she works in a somatic way with people and ceremony.You can find out more from Zenith by visiting https://www.zenithvirago.comand www.naturaldeathcarecentre.orgA sincere thank you Zenith for your wisdom.Awakening the Body and Mind is a Listener Supported podcast that relies on donations. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, I appreciate any contribution you wish to give for the gift of this episode. Donations can be made through PayPal: PayPal.Me/awakeningbodyandmind

Professor Lorimer Moseley is not only a genius when it comes to healing chronic pain, he also has a good sense of humour and can tell a great story.There is so much gold in this episode if you suffer from a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, polymyalgia, endometriosis, lower back pain, sciatica or persistent pain that won’t go away even with treatment.If you’re a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Doctor, Massage Therapist, yoga or movement based therapist, Lorimer and I explore the art of communication, and how this can help you empower your patients and clients.Helping patients understand their chronic pain and helping them to feel better has been the most challenging part of my career. Lorimer gives clear strategies to make that easier for both health professionals and those suffering from persistent pain.You can find out more at www.tamethebeast.org and www.painrevolution.orgAwakening the Body and Mind is a Listener Supported podcast that relies on donations. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, I appreciate any contribution you wish to give for the gift of this episode. Donations can be made through PayPal: PayPal.Me/awakeningbodyandmind

I chose podcasting as a legacy to my brother, Sam’s life because they’re timeless, educational resources on mental health and mindfuless that will help the lives of others.They will also help families gain a more compassionate understanding and a deeper insight into how better to support those they love.Mitch McPherson’s story has given me much hope. Not only is he the founder of the incredible organisation Stay ChatTY, he’s also just released his own book, “Behind the Smile”. Mitch is the 2017 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year and he has spoken to over 600 events which include school groups, workplaces and sporting clubs and is dedicated to spreading the message that nothing is so bad that you can’t talk about it.Mitch’s vision is that SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY will become a national charity, with a focus on delivering programs in schools and sporting clubs around Australia to increase awareness and remove the stigma surrounding mental health.It has been a solace for me to capture the heartfelt stories of so many, but especially this one.It’s inspiring, uplifting, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it.Thanks to Mitch for your beautiful heart. The world needs your work.To buy Mitch’s book visit www.mitchmcpherson.com.auTo book Mitch to speak www.staychatty.com.auAwakening the Body and Mind is a Listener Supported podcast that relies on donations. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, I appreciate any contribution you wish to give for the gift of this episode. Donations can be made through PayPal: PayPal.Me/awakeningbodyandmind

Associate Professor Sheree Cairney is Cognitive Neuroscientist who has spent two decades leading research and innovation projects in Aboriginal communities in the most remote parts of Australia. Her research has shed light on the transformation of brain and behaviour that happens-with petrol sniffing, alcohol and other drugs - and led to ground-breaking clinical evidence the brain can repair itself if substance abuse stops early enough. She has published over 50 scientific articles, and established culturally relevant neuropsychological assessments among Aboriginal people that are used across the country. Her research has been translated into interactive multimedia tools that communicate health promotion and education messages to diverse demographics. These include the 'Brain Stories' suite of flipcharts and animations and the highly successful ‘No Smokes’ education campaign. Her science and innovation stories have been told on national media, and informed policy, education curriculum, rehabilitation programs and national clinical guidelines. Currently, she leads a national longitudinal study ‘The Interplay project’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has led ‘The Interplay Project’ for seven years that investigates the key conditions and drivers for improved health and wellbeing, and representing Aboriginal cultural values to policy. In 2016, she presented her work at TEDx StKilda,”What Aboriginal Knowledge can teach us about Happiness” (https://youtu.be/Cf-dK8HFP2c). Sheree is passionate about bringing together people and ideas to inspire and create change through integrating science, culture, art, business and policy. She is an Associate Professor at Flinders University and a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Remote Health, Alice Springs.Awakening the Body and Mind is a Listener Supported podcast that relies on donations. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, I appreciate any contribution you wish to give for the gift of this episode. Donations can be made through PayPal: PayPal.Me/awakeningbodyandmind

Do you know what your attachment style is in relationships?▪️Are you securely or insecurely attached to your (current or previous) partner, or do you fall into an anxious/avoidant attachment style?▪️Anxiously attached: you might worry when there’s distance between you & your partner or ask “are they really there for me?” Or “Am I really loveable?” Or “why haven’t they called/texted yet?”▪️If your attachment style is avoidant: do you shut down your needs & try and cope alone? Do you only rely on yourself & not show your emotions in times of need? ▪️In Episode 10 (timed with #valentinesday) I speak with one of Australia’s leading couples & sex therapists, Dr Clare Rosoman who uses Emotional Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)▪️❤️EFT works at the level of the bond between a couple and their attachment styles.❤️It looks at the repetitive patterns that play out that create fear, and what the deeper needs are. ▪️Our culture gives us the message that being an adult means we’re independent & self-sufficient &that we shouldn’t need to rely on others. But research shows that the more secure our attachment is, the more likely we are to pursue our goals, take risks, we’re more confident AND we’re more likely to be successful. ▪️“Secure attachment is like a beautifully strong and flexible piece of elastic that connects two people. The more secure you are, the more stretch there is in that elastic and the further you go and the bigger risks you take safe in the knowledge that you’re still tethered to that person and they’re there for you when you need them. But, the moment that elastic is brittle and the attachment is insecure, then there’s no stretch and the elastic is easily snapped. If you feel like your life line to your safe haven is perilous like that, you’re not going to stretch that elastic”

Does fear hold you back from what you’d love to be doing?Would relating to your emotions more skilfully help you move from being stuck and overwhelmed to living a truly meaningful life?Is there something from your past that you know you need to let go of but don’t know how?In my interview with Dr Rebecca Ray, we talk about what it means to be emotionally resilient.We dive into finding the courage to be vulnerable with our own feelings and how to express those to others when we need to.You can learn how to work towards your goals and dreams with confidence and courage, and without all the hustle, struggle and resistance.Beck shares her personal and professional wisdom in a conversation that will help you live a richer, more meaningful life!You can find Beck’s books: https://rebeccaray.com.au/Check out her beautiful wringing on Insta: @drrebeccaraySpecial thanks to Beck for her time, to Darcy from propodcastingsolutions.com for making every episode sound fantastic and the people who’ve been so enthusiastic about learning from Awakening the Body and Mind PodcastAwakening the Body and Mind is a Listener Supported podcast that relies on donations. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, I appreciate any contribution you wish to give for the gift of this episode. Donations can be made through PayPal: PayPal.Me/awakeningbodyandmind

Stress. Overwhelm. Anxiety.In our modern world it seems that these are common states for many of us to find ourselves in.Do you feel that you're struggling to keep up with your to-do list, feel like you're falling short and often worrying about something going wrong?In my insightful conversation with brain care specialist Allison Davies, we uncover how we treat our brain can determine the levels of fear and anxiety we experience. I have been fortunate to present with Allison at our previous Coming Home To Your Body Retreats and have always found learning from her incredibly insightful, moving and fun. Allison is the creator of the program, Brains = Behaviours. She uses her combined skills as a neurological music therapist, speaker and educator to help parents, family members, carers and teachers to find clarity about children's brains, especially their emotional and sensory needs. By understanding the brain we can see why other behaviours ariseIn this episode Allison provides insights that may help you make positive changes for your family.In addition to chatting about children's brains we also talk extensively about what our modern world is doing to our brains no matter what our age, and why anxiety is on the increase. We dive into why so many of us feel overwhelmed.Allison provides strategies, tools and practices that can help to overcome this by enhancing the way our brain works and our environment to help us feel calmer and function optimally.Allison also shares candidly her own diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the way her life has changed from this discover.She is an inspiring, passionate and extremely knowledgable lady when it comes to neuroscience and I am grateful we got to have this enlightening conversation.All Allisons details can be found here: http://allisondavies.com.au

Mark Wales grew up in the red dirt of West Australian mining towns in the Pilbara.After deciding he wanted to join the SAS in high school, Mark embarked on a career in the Australian military that would eventually lead him to the battlefields of Afghanistan.Mark carries an impeccable military career that took him to Afghanistan on multiple tours, and also to East Timor, Iraq and the Solomon Islands leading elite teams in the toughest and most stressful environments imaginable.Mark’s role was to lead combat missions against senior enemy commanders, deep behind enemy lines. Through this unique and harsh environment, Mark developed his skills in leadership, teamwork and high performance.Like many in his situation, Mark battled depression and stress disorders after warfighting in Afghanistan. He tackled recovery with the same intensity he applied to Special Ops training.He rigorously researched the fundamentals of neurobiological science and the benefit of skill development. This approach underpinned a strong recovery, and drove personal growth far beyond his previous abilities. We discuss how he learnt to understand what had happened to his brain throughout his service and what strategies he used to recover.Beyond his years of service, Mark attended a top business school. He was accepted into an Ivy League college in the U.S.A, and after graduation he joined McKinsey & Company, a respected consulting outfit also known as ‘The Firm’.He founded a fashion startup Kill_Kaptur, a tough-luxury ecommerce brand.Mark now dedicates his life to educating others on leadership, strategy and peak performance while under stress. He says: “I review the importance of strategy, execution and agility in any competitive system, drawing lessons from warfighting in Afghanistan, giving others useable lessons on how to apply this from today."You may also recognise Mark as He was a competitor in Australian Survivor 2017,Mark is now also the CEO of the Younger Heroes. It is a breakthrough program designed by professionals to enhance and strengthen the critical bond between returned servicemen and women and those that have served the nation and their children. You can find all the details at theyoungerheroes.orgThroughout this podcast Mark and I discuss the strategies that he uses for himself for peak performance, how past experience should never be a limitation to embarking and excelling in something new, overcoming setbacks, working with the fear of failure and how to deal with overwhelm.Mark also reveals the importance of a growth-mindset to overcoming mental illness and drive success in future endeavours.So without any further ado, I bring you the incredible Mark Wales

Welcome to this very special episode with Fay Jackson.I first heard Fay speak on International Women’s Day at an event for International Women's Day in Byron Bay earlier this year. It was a talk that changed my view on life. I was brought to tears and also profoundly motivated to do what I could to help become a leader when it comes to mental health.This interview with Fay had the same effect on me – I was once again bought to tears but also given a tremendous amount of insight into the way we are currently managing mental health and how ALL of us can do something to help. I am extremely motivated and in awe of her resilience to continue her life’s work despite the challenges of what she’s faced in the past and continues to work with on a day to day basis.Fay shares throughout the podcast how she experienced mental ill health from her early teenage years after suffering childhood trauma.She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 37 and early medical advice included that she would not be able to work and would have limited ability to contribute to the lives of those around her. This was advice which devastated her and had she taken it as gospel could have severly limited her potential.Following the death of her adored brother, Peter, Fay decided to become a potent champion for people with mental health issues and show her daughters and others that there are ways of living well with mental illness.At the age of 40 she was appointed to her first permanent role as a mental health advocate and has since gone on to hold a number of roles drawing on her lived experience.In addition to serving as Deputy Commissioner of NSW mental health since 2013, Fay is General Manager, Inclusion at Flourish and CEO of her own company, Vision in Mind.Fay’s focus is on the positive attributes of people with mental health issues, their abilities, their need and desire to work, to raise healthy, happy families, receive good education and to ensure their physical health needs are met.Fay is passionate about the fact that mental health is an intergenerational, whole of health, whole of life issue and hopes to create a better mental health care system for her children and grandchildren.I suggest that you have your tissues ready as you’ll be greatly moved by the heart of this courageous, resilient, witty and passionate lady. We discuss the importance of living your purpose, leadership, working towards your goals despite your fear and art of appreciation.So without any further ado, I bring you the incredible Fay Jackson.

Jake Edwards spent 4 years at the Carlton Football Club, following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather who also played Australian Rules Football.Yet in a twist of events he went from a young man on six figures a year with the world at his feet, to having just 45 cents to his name and a drug addiction.This was a guy came from a supportive, loving family, he had great menotrs in his older brothers, a relationship, he had landed his dream career and had lots of support… So what happened?Jake had been diagnosed with depression as a young man and this mental illness on top of the pressure of his career all became too much.Jake’s life took a dangerous path due to a lack of understanding and treatment for his mental illness, one that as a young man he admits he “couldn’t comprehend”.Jake found it difficult to understand why he was experiencing such emotional turmoil when on the outside his life was going so well.As you will hear throughout the podcast Jake’s attempts to manage his stress and just get on with things made his sympotms much much worse.He found him self in a very dark place when he eventually attempted suicide in 2014. He felt was the only way out of his depression. The failed attempt and the second chance at life saw him begin to turn his life around beginning with rehab.Today, Jake is a leading mental health advocate who uses his personal experiences to deliver his message.Jake founded the nation wide successful welfare and education organisation “Outside The Locker Room”, which is dedicated to working alongside local sporting clubs, offering mentoring support and education on topics such as drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, depression and suicide.Outside The Locker Room (http://www.outsidethelockerroom.com.au) supports over 3,000 young adults and their families today in our communities.It has rolled out in more than 60 sporting clubs Australia wide and they have the vision to be Australia’s number one Welfare and Educational platform for community sport. They are also an evidence based program and I am so impressed by the quality of this work.Local sporting clubs become more than just a place of training – they beome a place of community and family. Outside the locker room mentors, educates and supports players away from the sporting club.Jake is an example that anyone of us can have our mental health affected at some point. Investing in our emotoional, spiritual and physical health, like Jake and I discuss are all a part of the big picture and something we can make part of our weekly routine so that we can foster resilience.So without any further ado, I bring you the incredible Jake Edwards.-Jake's recommended book was The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters

Layne Beachley is regarded as the most successful female surfer in history. The only surfer, male or female, to claim six consecutive world titles Layne then went on to win a 7th world title in 2006 before retiring from the World Tour in 2008. She was inducted into both the Australian and US surfing halls of fame in 2006, and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2011.At the 2015 Australia Day Honours, Layne was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community through support for a range of charitable organisations, as a mentor for women in sport, and to surfing as a world champion competitor.Yet there’s more to Layne’s story than just surfing.Layne Beachley was born Tania Gardner on 24 May 1972. Her mother was only 17 years old and unmarried so she was soon adopted by Neil and Valerie Beachley, who lived in nearby Manly.When Layne was only six years old, Valerie suffered a post-operative brain hemorrhage and died, leaving Layne and her brother to be raised by Neil.Layne met her biological mother for the first time in 1999. She sadly passed away in recent years,She has spoken openly about her struggles from the traumatic events of her childhood, the grief she went through and the effect this had on her has an adult.Throughout the podcast we chat about how she healed this unresolved pain and suffering.We also talk about how what practices she uses now to be the best version of herself she can be. Layne is incredibly motivating to listen to, yet she also shares profound wisdom and insight that only someone who has sat in their own darkness could.I had the good fortune of meeting Layne in 2015 when my friend Toni Popowski and I co-founded the Women’s TRY Athlon and Fun Run in Tasmania. Layne was the speaker at our motivational dinner and she even provided a beach training session for some of the ladies.The TRY-athlon is on again in Novemeber this year and you can find the details here: http://womenstryathlon.com.auSo without any further ado, I bring you the incredible Layne Beachley.  

Tom Bell has spent the last fifteen years speaking to people in a real, honest and impactful manner.He began working with groups of people through The Reach Foundation, with the legendary AFL player, Jim Stynes.He has worked with over 100,000 people: from high-level corporate executives, professional athletes to your everyday teenager. His work evolved from working with Jim into the organisation Tomorrow Man.They’re mission is to disrupt the stereotypes that surround what it means to be an Australian man.What does it mean to be a bloke today?And what do we want it to look like tomorrow?The tide is changing for men young and old and the outdated stereotype is leaving some of our mates, dads, sons, uncles, teammates, workmates and brothers stranded without the tools for a healthy life.In today’s world a lot of men are suffering as a result of not being able to open up emotionally.Holding everything together, not showing vulnerability, being the mate, the partner, the dad, the brother without a space to let go and be supported is taking its toll.Suicide is the biggest killer in Australian men between 15-44.This podcast was an emotional one for me after losing my brother, Sam to suicide last year.Yet, part of me wants to learn and understand suicide more and to be able to play a part in suicide prevention. More needs to be done. Through my own grief after Sam’s death I realised just how important our connections are with the people we love in order to find strength and resilience. I feel as a woman that asking for support is something that’s accepted. Yet I’ve watched a lot of men that I care deeply for suffer from the pain of mental illness, from ex-boyfriends, to friends to my brother, and also those men who have been my patients.I’ve heard a consistent message from them that they don’t always feel ok with sharing their struggles and vulnerabilities or in getting help, and that’s really something I wanted to learn more from Tom about.I found out about Tom when I called my friend Claire Eardley for some support: Claire’s son Kai sadly ended his own life in 2016. She has since started the kaifella foundation and has raised over $100,000.To quote Claire from the website:I believe a peer-based program available to young men, which helps to erase the tough macho stigma associated with our Australian male culture, and provides them with some skills to navigate mental illness and crises they will inevitably endure in life, is an important piece of education that is not available in our education curriculum today.If you wish to donates will go directly to support delivery of the program, Man Up, currently being delivered in Victoria and Ireland by Tomorrow Man facilitators Tom (who you hear in this interview) and Tom Harkin.Tomorrow Man.Tomorrow Man aim to disrupt and evolve the stereotype of masculinity - where did the rules originate and who made them?They want to redefine what it means to be a man and provide a relevant emotional skill set that can be applied in the real world for the men of today and tomorrow.Enabling men to strengthen their emotional muscle allows them to develop stronger supportive relationships, express themselves with clarity and confidence when under pressure and most importantly gives them the ability to ask for support when they need it without feeling weak or like a failure.They work in education, sporting clubs professional and amateur, workplaces and partner with aligned brands on unique projects with a social impact. Tom and I caught up at Hotel Miami – a new co-work, studio and event space. They were wonderful hosts to us with this podcast and I just want to give a little shout out to Darren for letting us use the family heirlooms for this interview.I hope you enjoy this episode with Tom BellJess xx 

Damien Rider is an Ultra Endurance Athlete who broke a world record in 2015 by paddling on a prone paddle board 800km from the Gold Coast to Bondi. He completed this mission solo and unsupported over seventeen days and it was a turning point in his life.Just prior to the paddle he was contemplating suicide and in the months and years that have followed this accomplishment he has gone on to change the lives of many other people.A feature film was produced by National Geographic on the epic expedition and you can watch the documentary where Damien encountered numerous shark attacks and near drownings, all in effort to raise awareness for child abuse, in his documentary Heart of the Sea. Available for purchase on iTunes, you can watch the story behind how the experience turned out to be a catalyst for healing his own childhood trauma and how Damien found peace from this experience.What makes Damien and his story so inspiring is the fact that he is a victim of child abuse, yet as he explains in our interview he sees himself as an adventurer, not a victim. He has had the willpower and mind-set to achieve many unbelievable feats. In addition to this physical and mental endurance and strength, he is also a humanitarian: Damien has established the Rider Foundation & PACA (Paddle Against Child Abuse) with the aim of supporting victims of child abuse.He is also on a mission to change lives through Oceans Retreat. He will be sharing some of the non-conventional approaches that helped with treating his own post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the Oceans Therapy Retreat over Easter that he's running with big wave surfer, Ryan Hipwood over Easter. I feel very fortunate to have met Damien and to be able to use the gorgeous Oceans Retreat for our Ocean's Mindset Retreat in May (details are below) and our Seven Day Mind Body Wellness Retreat in October. .After Damien’s paddle, he skateboarded from Chicago to Santa Monica (a 3600km trip), he completed some extreme paddleboard & running events in Thailand, and he also ran the Gold Coast marathon (42km) carrying a 16kg mattress - all to help others. Raw, vulnerable, courageous and incredibly moving, his story is incredibly touching. Damien somehow found the ability to transform his own pain into a healing source for many other people. Those brave enough to face suffering that for most would be unbearable are the true alchemists of this world. They are the ones who go on to create changes that will shift the way we look at things forever. Damien was recently a speaker at the Safe Children's conference in Sydney which addressed the Royal Commission findings into child sexual abuse. Thank you for making this world a better place.

Venerable Shih Jingang, or Sifu is a Buddhist Priest who was first ordained as a monk at 6 years of age. He was trained by his Heart Guru Venerable Lama Senge Tashi.In this podcast we find out about Sifu’s three year solitary retreat, his training and practice of over 45 years particuluary from the Mahayana Buddhist lineage.Sifu regularly holds classes, retreats, and is asked to speak at public and private events. He is known for his calmness, gentle compassion and good humoured teaching style which you will here.He shares much wisdom and insight in this podcast particularly around how we create suffering for ourselves with our thoughts.I could have quoted almost all of his answers – particularly “wisdom teaches us that we don’t have control over others. The best we can do is try and learn more about ourselves and to try and be the vest version we can be.”He also dives in to the suffering our ego can create: “Identifying with thoughts, and identifying with the feelings created by those thoughts can reate a lot of suffering So “I am..” can lead to all soughts of suffering.”Sifu also generously leads two guided meditations for you to use to help cultivate your own practice for personal and spiritual growth.The first: is a silent awareness meditation, designed to help us relate in a wiser way to our thoughts and the second is a loving-kindness or metta practice. The metta practice is one he uses with cancer patients and it can be useful if you are experiencing a difficulty in your life at the moment.There are also some extremely insightful questions that he asks to help us with our own self-awareness, such as “that person pushes my buttons”, but actually maybe the question we should ask ourselves is “who created those buttons?”I feel honoured to be presenting with him at our Weekend Retreat “The Awakened Heart” in Stanley Tasmania on March 17th and 18th.This event is now waitlist only but if you’d like to add yourself to this list please email hello@cominghometoyourbodyretreats.comIf you are interested in attending a retreat to get started with learning to meditate please visit cominghometoyourbodyretreats.com and click on the retreats tab. The oceans mind-set retreat will cover learning to relate to our thoughts and feelings with greater awareness and wisdom.So ladies and gentlemen, without any further ado I bring you Venerable Shih Jingang.