Anam Cara, a book on the Celtic Landscape, Art and Spritituality was an international bestseller. I have been delving into a posthumous release called To Bless The Space Between Us – a compilation of special blessings and spiritual insights that offers comfort and encouragement for the milestones and transitions of life. It’s an amazing collection, each blessing giving us much to reflect on and draw upon in times of need, and in times of celebration.

John sadly passed away unexpectedly in 2008. Yet his works carry the power that will last many generations to come. There is also a wonderful DVD called Celtic Pilgrimage, on which we are taken to many of the spiritual places in Western Ireland and John talks about the beauty of the land and how it can inform our lives for the better. See the trailer here and check out more on his website here.

Meanwhile, here is a blessing that your work may be guided by your soul. I find this greatly encouraging to me, to keep me on the path of following my heart. Enjoy…Neal x

May The Light Of Your Soul Guide You, by John O’Donohue

May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work
You do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those
Who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in the bland absences.
May the day never burden you.
May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,
Possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.

Our nervous systems are constantly wired – multi-tasking between family and work, mobile phones, email, twitter and facebook, the pressure of making ends meet as living costs spiral ever upwards – the pace of our lives rarely slow down. Our societycelebrates productivity and ‘doing’, rarely valuing time spent in the simplicity of just ‘being’.

While I’m not suggesting that we should completely change the way we live (though why not?), I do believe it is valuable to have a daily antidote to this onset of stressful living. From personal experience I know of no better practice than yoga and meditation – it comprehensively offers a complete set of tools to meet stress head on.

Spending just twenty or thirty minutes on a yoga mat, stretching and breathing, connecting into my body, letting go of tension and practicing the deep, beautiful art of true relaxation, can bring me back to a more grounded place, where I’m less stressed and life truly is more pleasant.

The Wisdom Found In A Breath

While many people think of yoga as just stretching and making weird shapes with your body, in reality the practices, thousands of years old, contain rich teachings which can be of immense value for us today.

For centuries yoga has explored the direct relationship between the quality of one’sbreath to the state of one’s mind. Faster, shallower breathing correlates with an agitated stressed mind, quieter slower breathing leads to a more peaceful mind.

Awareness of one’s breath is at the very heart of a quality yoga and meditation practice. Try this simple exercise – it only takes five or ten minutes:

Find a place where you can sit quietly, and allow your body to gently lengthen upwards so that you can breath easy. Close your eyes and lightly rest your awarenesson your breath, the inhale, the exhale, as you breathe through your nose. Start to listen to your breath. Gradually turn your attention just to your inhale. Be fascinatedby the inhale, its movement and feeling in the body, the depth of it. You may feel itnaturally slowing down.

After a few minutes, observe how the inhale turns to the exhale, and begin to follow this exhale – the length of it, the feeling of it. You may notice a natural lengthening of the exhale and a quiet pause, like a still point, at the very end before you inhale again. Allow your mind to turn inward. Let go and soften your face, jaw, shoulders, your belly, and your whole body. Enjoy moments of peaceful silence.

Remember, it may only take these few minutes to pause, slow down, touch stillness and be present in this very moment – to be an effective counter-balance to a stressful day.

The Yoga In Prisons fundraising event was a lovely success today – thank you to all who turned up. I truly enjoyed teaching the class , hearing the speakers, and sharing the movie The Dhamma Brothers – it was more moving the second time around! The Waiheke cinema is now interested in showing it now which is great.

We raised $1260 which will really help the trust produce yoga education materials for the prisoners they reach.

This is just a start! We’ll be doing more in the future and we’ll also let you know what is happening as things develop.

Thank you!

Peace, Neal x

I get so excited.
Things will be different.
He folded the blanket
in a way that the spine
lay in steps of release.
The art of knowing
how precious
the attention
to minute detail
can change
the point of holding,
allowing a system
built on repeated actions
to recognise
monumental
foundation
ancient
wise
yoga

by Penny Holmes

These three short baby videos brought a smile to my face again.

There is a wonderful practice in gratitude – learning to be grateful even when challenged, even when life is not flowing for us, and of course when we do feel blessed and in a good space.

The 21 Gratitudes

Try this at home: sit with a friend or partner and take turns in sharing 21 things you are grateful for in your life. Anything works, from being grateful for your partner, to being grateful for the rose you smelt earlier in the day. You can also do this practice by yourself of course – just before going to sleep is sweet. A moving way… put on some music, have a dance and move with the spirit of gratitude. Let gratefulness fill your movement, from your head to your toes. Come to rest in peaceful stillness and sit quietly reflecting on the felt sensation of gratitude in your body.

The Guest House, a poem by Rumi

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door, laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

We wish you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!
Neal and Sacha xx