Addiction can be one of the most challenging battles a person faces. For many, the cycle of addiction is tied deeply to emotional and psychological patterns, which can make breaking free seem impossible. While traditional recovery methods like therapy and support groups are incredibly beneficial, meditation and mindfulness have emerged as powerful, complementary tools in helping individuals overcome addiction. Let’s explore how these practices support addiction recovery and offer sustainable tools for building a balanced, healthy life.

Understanding Addiction and the Role of Mindfulness.

Addiction, whether it involves substances, food, gambling, or technology, is often rooted in seeking relief from discomfort, pain, or a sense of emptiness. The mind gets caught in loops of craving and temporary satisfaction, which ultimately lead to greater suffering. Mindfulness practices, however, help people break this cycle by increasing awareness of thoughts, emotions, and triggers without judgment.
Mindfulness teaches us to notice cravings and urges as they arise without immediately acting on them. By recognizing these feelings, we create a space between impulse and reaction, giving ourselves the chance to choose a healthier response.

How Meditation Helps Combat Addiction.

Meditation trains the mind to be present in the moment, cultivating a heightened awareness of what’s happening inside us. Here’s how meditation specifically aids in addiction recovery:

1. Improving Self-Control and Impulse Management: Regular meditation strengthens parts of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control. With time, individuals find it easier to resist cravings and make thoughtful choices.
2. Building Emotional Resilience: Meditation helps regulate emotions, which is crucial in addiction recovery. It allows people to face uncomfortable emotions rather than avoiding them with addictive behaviors.
3. Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety are major triggers for addictive behaviors. Meditation activates the body’s relaxation response, helping to reduce these emotions and build a calmer mindset.
4. Increasing Self-Awareness: Addiction often creates a disconnect between a person’s actions and their inner values. Meditation helps bridge this gap by fostering self-awareness and reminding individuals of their true needs, desires, and values.

Techniques for Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation in Recovery

1. Mindful Breathing: Taking a few minutes each day to focus on the breath can be transformative. This simple practice teaches individuals to stay present, notice cravings, and let them pass without acting on them.
2. Body Scan Meditation: By paying attention to physical sensations, people can tune into how cravings manifest in the body, becoming better equipped to manage them.
3. Urge Surfing: Developed for addiction recovery, urge surfing involves riding out cravings like waves. Instead of trying to suppress them, individuals observe the craving’s rise, peak, and eventual decline.
4. Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta): Cultivating compassion for oneself and others can help with the self-judgment and guilt often associated with addiction. This meditation fosters self-acceptance, encouraging a more forgiving, nurturing perspective on recovery.

Benefits of Integrating Meditation and Mindfulness into Recovery.

Many people in recovery report that meditation and mindfulness not only help them overcome addiction but also lead to a deeper, more satisfying life. Here are a few reasons why:

• Long-Term Mental Health: Meditation reduces anxiety, depression, and the risk of relapse by promoting mental resilience.
• Improved Relationships: Mindfulness allows individuals to communicate better and respond more thoughtfully, which often repairs relationships that may have suffered due to addiction.
• Greater Life Satisfaction: By learning to live in the present, individuals often find more joy in everyday experiences, reducing the desire to escape reality through substances or addictive behaviors.

Getting Started:
Starting with just five minutes a day is a powerful beginning. Gradually increasing meditation time can make the practice sustainable without feeling overwhelming. It’s also beneficial to seek guidance from meditation teachers or join support groups that incorporate mindfulness techniques, which can provide encouragement and accountability.

Final Thoughts:
Meditation and mindfulness offer a unique pathway for overcoming addiction by changing the relationship individuals have with themselves and their thoughts. While these practices alone aren’t a cure for addiction, they are an empowering addition to any recovery journey. With dedication, mindfulness and meditation can help pave the way toward a healthier, addiction-free life, fostering resilience, awareness, and self-compassion along the way.

Both meditation and mindfulness have gained popularity in recent years for their mental and emotional health benefits. While they are often used interchangeably, these two practices are distinct in their goals, methods, and applications. Understanding the difference between meditation and mindfulness can help you choose the right approach for your personal well-being journey.

What Is Meditation?
Meditation is an intentional practice where an individual uses specific techniques to focus their mind, often to achieve a heightened state of awareness or calmness. It can take many forms, such as focused attention (concentrating on a single object or thought), mantra meditation (repeating a word or phrase), or loving-kindness meditation (fostering compassion toward oneself and others).
Meditation is typically practiced in a seated or still position for a set period, often ranging from 5 minutes to an hour. The aim is to quiet the mind and achieve a deep sense of relaxation or self-awareness. Many meditation styles, such as transcendental meditation or Zen meditation, also focus on developing a spiritual or philosophical connection.

Key points about meditation:

• Formal practice often done at a specific time and place.
• May involve focusing on the breath, a sound, or a particular thought.
• Helps develop long-term calmness and inner awareness.
• Can be used for deep relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional healing.
• May requires discipline and practice

What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness, on the other hand, refers to the state of being fully present in the moment, aware of your thoughts, emotions, and environment without judgment. While mindfulness can be practiced as a form of meditation (known as mindfulness meditation), it is also a broader concept that can be applied throughout the day, even during everyday activities like eating, walking, or working.
Mindfulness doesn’t require a dedicated time or place. You can practice it by simply paying attention to what you're doing right now, whether it's focusing on your breathing, noticing the sensation of the wind on your skin, or becoming aware of the thoughts running through your mind. The goal is to observe your experiences as they happen, accepting them without trying to change or control them.

Key points about mindfulness:

• Can be practiced anytime, anywhere.
• Focuses on being present in the current moment.
• Helps cultivate awareness and reduce overthinking or judgment.
• Often integrated into daily activities like walking, eating, or listening.

Meditation vs. Mindfulness: Key Differences

1. Intentional vs. Moment-to-Moment Awareness
   Meditation is usually a structured practice where you set aside time to focus and achieve a specific goal, such as relaxation or spiritual awareness. Mindfulness, however, is about bringing moment-to-moment awareness into your daily life, without necessarily setting aside time for formal practice.
2. Duration and Application
   Meditation is typically done for a set duration and often involves a particular technique. Mindfulness, however, is a way of living in the present, allowing you to practice awareness during any activity, whether you are seated or in motion.
3. Goal
   The goal of meditation is often to cultivate stillness of the mind and deeper awareness of oneself. Mindfulness aims to foster non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, helping you become more attuned to your thoughts and emotions in real-time.
4. Spiritual vs. Practical
   While meditation often has spiritual or philosophical roots, mindfulness is primarily a practical tool for managing stress and anxiety, although it too can have spiritual dimensions when integrated with meditation.

​How They Complement Each Other
While meditation and mindfulness are distinct, they complement each other beautifully. Meditation helps you develop the discipline and focus needed to be more mindful. In turn, mindfulness allows you to bring the calm, centered state cultivated in meditation into your daily life.
For example, a regular meditation practice can help reduce overall stress and improve focus. Mindfulness helps you carry that calm into your interactions, work, and daily routine, enabling you to respond to situations with greater clarity and patience.

In summary, while meditation is typically a formal practice aimed at achieving calm and focus through specific techniques, mindfulness is a way of being present in the moment throughout the day. Incorporating both into your routine can lead to improved emotional well-being, reduced stress, and a greater sense of overall balance.
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Selecting the right meditation retreat is a deeply personal decision that depends on various factors such as the environment, type of retreat, and your individual goals. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to make the right choice. This guide will walk you through the key elements to consider when selecting a meditation retreat, ensuring you find a transformative experience that aligns with your needs.

1. Consider the Length of the Retreat:
Meditation retreats vary greatly in duration, from a single day to several weeks. When choosing a retreat, think about how much time you can realistically commit and the depth of experience you’re seeking.

• Short retreats (1-3 days): These are great for beginners who are new to meditation or those with limited time. They provide a gentle introduction to mindfulness and relaxation techniques without requiring a long-term commitment.
• Longer retreats (4+ days): These offer a deeper immersion into meditation practices. If you’re looking to dive deep into self-awareness, inner peace, and emotional healing, a longer retreat may offer the transformative experience you’re looking for.

2. Location and Environment:
The location of a meditation retreat plays a crucial role in its impact. Being in nature helps cultivate peace and mindfulness, far removed from the stressors of daily life. Byron Bay, for instance, is a popular retreat destination thanks to its serene beaches, lush landscapes, and tranquil environment.
When choosing a retreat:

• Consider whether you want to be in a natural setting like a beach, forest, or mountains, or if a more urban setting suits you better.
• Make sure the retreat space is quiet and free from distractions, as this will allow for deeper meditation and relaxation.

A retreat in a natural environment not only encourages mindfulness but also promotes a sense of grounding and connection with the Earth. The surrounding beauty enhances the overall experience, making Byron Bay an ideal location for meditation retreats.

3. Meditation Styles and Techniques:
Different retreats focus on varying meditation practices. Understanding the meditation style that resonates with you can help guide your decision.

• Guided meditation: Ideal for beginners, guided meditation involves the teacher leading you through the practice. This style can help you stay focused and relaxed, as you follow verbal instructions on mindfulness, breath control, or visualization techniques.
• Silent meditation: For those seeking a more profound and challenging experience, silent retreats (often called Vipassana) offer extended periods of meditation without talking. This allows for deep introspection and emotional release but may feel overwhelming for first-timers.
• Mindfulness-based retreats: These retreats focus on developing mindfulness and awareness in everyday life. They often include other mindfulness activities like mindful eating, walking meditations, and body scanning.

Be sure to check the retreat's syllabus to understand what meditation techniques will be practiced, and choose one that matches your level of experience and comfort.

4. Accommodations and Meals:
Comfortable accommodations and nourishing meals are essential for ensuring that your retreat is both enjoyable and effective. Many retreats offer a range of accommodation options, from shared dormitories to private rooms, depending on your preference.

• Accommodations: Check whether the retreat offers comfortable beds, private or shared bathrooms, and clean living spaces. Some people find it easier to focus on meditation when they are staying in a peaceful, private room, while others don’t mind a more communal setting.
• Meals: Most meditation retreats offer vegetarian or vegan meals, focusing on clean, simple, and healthy food to nourish the body. Eating light, plant-based meals often complements the healing and meditative process, allowing for better energy flow during the retreat.

Make sure to inquire about any specific dietary restrictions and how well they can accommodate your needs.

5. Instructor Experience and Credentials:
The quality of the retreat often depends on the experience and expertise of the instructor. Look for teachers who have been practicing for many years, preferably with a background in traditional meditation techniques like Vipassana or Zen. A skilled instructor will create a safe, nurturing environment, guiding you through the practices while offering personal insights.
It's also helpful to read reviews from previous participants or reach out to the instructor for more information about their teaching style and approach. Knowing that you're in good hands can make all the difference, especially if this is your first retreat.

6. Intentions and Goals for the Retreat:
Lastly, think about your personal intentions for attending the retreat. Are you seeking stress relief? Emotional healing? A deeper connection to your inner self? Different retreats have different focuses, and understanding your goals can help you select the one best suited for you.

• Self-care and relaxation: Some retreats are designed to offer stress relief, self-care, and a nurturing environment to unwind. These retreats often include yoga, spa treatments, and gentle meditations.
• Personal growth and transformation: If you’re looking for deeper emotional or spiritual growth, choose a retreat that focuses on inner work, such as silent meditation or mindfulness practices. These retreats tend to challenge participants on a deeper level, offering breakthroughs in self-awareness and healing.

Conclusion:
Choosing the right meditation retreat is a personal and important decision. By considering factors like duration, location, meditation style, and the retreat’s focus, you’ll be able to find the perfect retreat that meets your unique needs. Byron Bay is an exceptional location, offering beautiful surroundings and a wide range of retreats that cater to all experience levels. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or a transformative spiritual experience, the right meditation retreat will leave you feeling rejuvenated, balanced, and more connected to your inner self.

Meditation has been practiced for centuries, and its benefits are now widely recognized in our fast-paced modern world. Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can significantly enhance your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the myriad benefits of meditation and provide practical tips on how to seamlessly integrate it into your everyday life. Whether you’re considering joining a meditation class or embarking on a meditation retreat, this guide will help you get started on your journey to mindfulness.

The Benefits of Meditation

1. Stress Reduction
One of the most well-known benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress. Regular meditation practice helps lower the production of stress hormones like cortisol. By calming the mind and body, meditation allows you to respond to stressors more effectively, leading to a more balanced and tranquil state of being.
2. Enhanced Emotional Health
Meditation can improve your emotional health by promoting a positive outlook and increasing self-awareness. It helps you recognize and manage your emotions better, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that regular meditation can lead to a greater sense of overall well-being and happiness.
3. Improved Focus and Concentration
Meditation trains the mind to stay focused and attentive. By practicing mindfulness, you can enhance your concentration and cognitive function, leading to better productivity and performance in daily tasks. This benefit is particularly valuable in our distraction-filled world.
4. Better Sleep
For those struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality, meditation can be a game-changer. Mindfulness practices help calm the mind and relax the body, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy a restful night. Consistent meditation can also improve sleep patterns over time.
5. Increased Self-Awareness
Meditation encourages self-reflection and introspection, helping you understand yourself better. This heightened self-awareness can lead to personal growth, improved relationships, and a deeper connection with your inner self.

How to Incorporate Meditation Into Your Daily Life

1. Start Small
Begin with just a few minutes of meditation each day. As you become more comfortable with the practice, gradually increase the duration. Starting small makes the habit more manageable and less overwhelming.
2. Choose a Convenient Time and Place
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Choose a time of day that works best for you, whether it’s first thing in the morning, during a lunch break, or before bedtime. Consistency is key to building a lasting habit.
3. Join a Meditation Class
If you’re new to meditation, consider joining a meditation class. Guided sessions led by experienced instructors can provide valuable insights and techniques, making it easier for you to establish a solid foundation. Plus, being part of a group can offer motivation and support.
4. Attend a Meditation Retreat
For a deeper dive into meditation, consider attending a meditation retreat. These immersive experiences allow you to disconnect from daily distractions and focus entirely on your practice. A meditation retreat can accelerate your progress and provide a profound sense of peace and clarity.
5. Use Guided Meditations
Guided meditations are an excellent resource for beginners and experienced meditators alike. Apps and online platforms offer a wide variety of guided sessions that can help you stay focused and motivated. They provide structure and guidance, making it easier to maintain your practice.
6. Incorporate Mindfulness Into Daily Activities
You don’t always need to be seated in a quiet room to meditate. Practice mindfulness throughout your day by paying attention to your breath, sensations, and surroundings. Whether you’re walking, eating, or working, bring a mindful awareness to your activities.
7. Be Patient and Persistent
Like any new habit, meditation requires patience and persistence. Don’t be discouraged if your mind wanders or if you find it challenging at first. Keep practicing, and over time, you’ll notice the benefits and find it easier to incorporate meditation into your daily routine.

In conclusion, meditation offers a wealth of benefits that can enhance various aspects of your life. By starting small, choosing the right resources, and staying consistent, you can make meditation a regular part of your day. Whether through a meditation class or a meditation retreat, there are numerous ways to deepen your practice and experience the transformative power of mindfulness.

Our mind is a powerful tool. Most of the time, we tend to believe what our mind is saying. We hear a voice in our head and we tend to identify with it. Yet whatever is being said isn’t always true. But if we believe all that we hear in our head then our happiness will only depend on our positive thinking. It is great if we are a naturally born optimist but challenging if our mind is wired on fear or self-criticism.


Also our emotions are strongly linked with our thoughts. If our mind tends to worry about something in the future, we then tend to experience fear in the present moment. It does not mean that this worry will actually happen, it may or it may not. But in the meantime we have created stress for ourselves by listening to those thoughts. Whatever the mind is saying, it will create an emotional response in our body.We have a tendency to spend most of our life reacting and responding to our thoughts without questioning. Yet what if it could be different?


We hold the power within ourselves to change our thoughts and even to stop our mind at once. And when we become able to control our mind, we also become in control of how we experience life. The best tool I know that can bring us this new quality of life is the practice of meditation.


With regular meditation practice, we slowly start managing our thoughts. We become more aware and conscious of all the incessant chatter inside our head. And then we can learn how to completely stop it. Of course it takes time but the peace and happiness that result are definitely worth it.


With meditation regular practice is essential. We can learn different techniques and practice the ones that suit us best. We can also join a meditation class in our neighbourhood or enrol in a meditation retreat for a quantum leap in our practice!

Check out our meditation ebook and our meditation retreats, we will help you silence that chattering mind! :) 

For years and years, I identified myself with my mind. I thought I was the mind. What a surprise when I discovered I was not! It changed everything. It was a big relief for me because as a teenager, despite being one of the smartest kids at school, I believed myself crazy. There was incessant chatter in my head, most of it unnecessary thoughts of fear and worry, and I didn`t know if it was the same for other people. That chatter was driving me insane, I wanted to go and see a psychiatrist sometimes. But it seemed that everybody found me ‘normal’, and I was doing pretty well at what I was undertaking. So I started assuming that it was just the way to be, and that I would be an overactive thinker for the rest of my life, no respite. As the French philosopher Descartes was saying: ‘I think, therefore I am’. I had no idea how wrong we both were! What a relief it was for me the first time I experienced a few minutes with absolutely no thought. Complete silence. It was so peaceful! And yet I was still alive. I still existed. I could feel myself be in the absence of the mind. That`s when it hit me: I AM even when I don`t think, therefore I am not my mind! To rephrase Descartes I could say: ‘When I do not think, there I am’. Furthermore, I was feeling more myself in this moment than when I was thinking! That changed my life. That`s when I started meditating even more so as to find that space again, that peace, and so as to start controlling my mind. That is when I really started living.
 
THE MIND AS A COMPUTER
 
So what is the mind? The mind is like a computer, storing and processing data on its hard drive. Then analysing, comparing, and offering solutions to situations. For example, when I see a flame, straight away the mind may think: flame- fire- heat- careful- burnt hand at seven years of age- painful- could burn now- third degree burn- ambulance- hospital- staying away from flame! All this in a split second. Amazing! My experience and knowledge about fire will prevent me getting burnt each time I see a flame, and at the same time it offers me possible scenarios if I choose to get in contact with it. The mind sees what is in the present. Then, it compares it with what it knows happened in the past, or with what it learned in books, with people, school or society. Then it gives us all this data in thought forms, impressions or feelings. And finally it diverges on possible future scenarios according to all this information. That is why when we are listening to the mind, we find ourselves in the past or a probable future. It is really an amazing tool which is here to help us survive in a physical body in this third dimensional world. The problem is that we forget that it is just that, a tool, a computer. Over the years we put effort into making it strong, sharp and intelligent. Unfortunately, we overuse it and we forget to turn it off. Now the most common problem in the world is an overactive mind and people`s identification with it. It`s like having a TV inside our heads which is turned on all day long, and we can`t stop ourselves from watching it. After a while we even forget that we are actually separate from it. This is the biggest illusion, the identification with the mind. Most diseases of the modern world are related to this confusion: depression, compulsive disorders, anxiety, stress, etc. And taking medication or going to see a psychiatrist or psychologist won`t do any good, because you cannot fix the mind. The mind is the problem. The only medication that will heal these issues is Meditation, because it is the only way to get rid of the problem.
 
UNDERSTAND YOUR MIND
The first step to understand the mind is to watch it. Pay attention to it. Notice how it works. Follow the strand of your thoughts. Try to remember what triggered your thought patterns. Why are you thinking what you are thinking now? What was your first thought, your first sentence, your first word, etc? Look at your thoughts. Watch them from a distance. Be the observer. Don`t try to understand them, just be aware of them. Look and listen to them as if you were watching a movie, the fictional movie of your imagination. Try to notice the patterns. Try to notice the repetitions. Try to notice how that mind of yours is functioning.
 
THE MIND AND ASSOCIATIONS
The mind works with associations. You see something that makes you think about another thing which reminds you of something else which…it is a jumping monkey. For example, you see a blue flower. You may think: this is a blue flower- it`s beautiful – I love blue- it looks like the one my mum used to have in her garden- it`s been a long time since I called her- wonder if she found the key she was looking for- that reminds me that I need to pick up my car keys at Kate`s later- then I will need to get something for dinner- a roast would be great- but it takes too long to cook- let`s have mashed potatoes instead- yes that`s good, I’ll have more time to watch my TV show…You are still looking at the flower, but you are gone with the mind. The flower is real, it is what IS NOW, but the mind is not. You left reality to follow an illusion. And this happens all the time, indeed it never stops.
 
THE MIND AND LABELING
The mind works at labelling. The mind loves to notice and label things which you are seeing with your physical eyes: a blue/ beautiful/ small/ big/ funny/ etc flower, a car, a tree, a bus, oh it`s raining, etc. It likes putting adjective to the material world it sees depending on your experience, subjectivity or perception. It also comments on what/ how your body is feeling in the moment: it`s hot/ cold/ humid/ etc. It transfers physical data to your conscious self so you can act accordingly, like putting a sweater on if you`re cold. It will always describe and label what your senses perceive of the outside world. It is a computer, it processes information.
 
THE MIND AND READING
The mind loves reading things. Whatever your eyes get in contact with, your mind will try to read if you don`t consciously stop it. For example the billboards in the streets, even if you take the same road every day, if you look at the board you will have the slogan being said inside your head straight away (great for advertising!). That is also why every morning, while you are eating your cereals, you are reading what`s in the pack if it is right in front you, even if you have been eating the same cereals for years and they haven`t changed the ingredients. The mind will always be looking for something to read, while you`re eating, while you`re walking, while you`re on public transport, etc. It will always try to remove you from the experience you are having right now. It will prevent you from focusing on your present reality, and reading is one of its escape tricks.
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THE MIND AND TIME
The mind loves to go over the past and sometimes change it. It loves to remember the past, good times or not, like watching a movie over and over again. Then it loves to think about what would have happened if someone might have done this instead of that, if someone might have said that instead of this, or what someone should have done or not done, should have said or not said…The mind also loves to plan the future. It is always concerned about what we should do, don`t do, what could go wrong and why. It loves its ‘what to do’ list: what we ‘have to’ do tomorrow or next week, which day, what time, etc. It likes organizing, planning, making lists and when something is finally done from the list, something else suddenly appears…always busy!
It is a computer, gathering, analysing data and offering solutions. It never stops. It is restless. We made it that way. It will only exist in time, in the past or in the future, and it will always try to escape the present, because in the NOW the mind is not.
 This is an excerpt from 7 Illusions

Meditation has been used for centuries all over the world. People that have been practicing meditation for a long time can radiate peace and well-being. Meditation is the best tool available to us to find happiness and peace of mind. Yet, despise it being known, practiced and praised for so long it is still not part of our every day life. Why? Maybe because meditation can be both easy and difficult at the same time.

Why is meditation easy?

It is free! It is not something only available to the richest people in the world, it is available to anyone! Its does not cost any money, nothing, nada!
It is technically easy to do, we just have to sit down and close our eyes. How easy is that!
it does not take too much of our precious time. If we can spare twenty minutes a day that`s already plenty. We can always wake up 20 mn earlier, go to bed 20 mn later, or spend 20 mn less on Facebook or watching TV.
we don`t have to think hard about anything, on the contrary the less we think the better it is!

Why is meditation so difficult?

mainly because we identify with our mind AND THE MIND DOES NOT LIKE MEDITATION!
What the mind says: ‘i don't have time today’
‘i`ll do it later’
‘i`ll start tomorrow’
‘pfff, it`s too hard’
‘i don`t want to’
`’i don`t feel like it’
i rather eat, watch TV or check Facebook again’

Why does the mind say that?

The main aim of meditation is to quiet the mind. A quiet mind = peace. But the mind itself doesn`t want to be quiet! It wants to be active, busy, heard, listen to. It just wants to talk talk talk!!! Meditation can quieten and stop the mind. The mind does not want to disappear so it will do anything to stop YOU from meditating. It will give give you ALL the excuses in the world not to meditate, EVERY TIME you will try to.

YOU are NOT your mind. If you can learn to quieten, stop and control something, it means that THAT THING is not you, it is separate from you.

So why should you meditate?

Do you want to spend the rest of your life listening and being controlled by a voice in your head which is NOT REALLY YOU? 
It is like having a TV in our head, switch on all day long on the same channel, with no remote to change channels or turn it off.
Meditation is the remote control.
What could happen if you start practicing meditation?
* you can become in control of your mind
* you can become in control of your thoughts
* if you control your thoughts, you control your emotions
* you will become happier
* you will become more peaceful.
* no more stress, no more worries
* your life will change

Shall I start meditation?
* If you are 100% happy with your life and yourself, you probably don`t need to
* if not, you`ve got nothing to lose, except your mind maybe 😉

We offer regular meditation classes in Byron Bay, NSW, as well as yoga and meditation retreats to teach people how to meditate and implement a regular and easy practice.
​Check our services on the website or Contact us if you would like more information on the teaching and retreats.

Article by freelance writer Sally Writes.

Reduce Pain By Up to 90% with Mindfulness Meditation
 Pain, like any other emotion, is incredibly subjective. It is information processed by the brain, which can be tackled by focusing your attention in the right way. It is estimated that the most experienced meditators can reduce pain by 90% without medication. This is not just based on anecdotal evidence, but is backed up by a number of scientific studies. The alleviation of suffering can come from living in the moment. Here are the benefits of mindfulness of pain relief and how it works.
 
Non-Addictive Alternative to Medication
 One reason you should be using the power of the mind for pain relief is to avoid potentially addictive medication. Opioid addiction is increasing and health experts are searching for a safe alternative. Meditation might just be the answer.
 Brain scans have shown that focusing on the present really does relieve pain, but using different neural pathways to pain killers. Instead of using the body’s natural opioid system, meditation targets a different area of the brain, making it non-addictive. This can be combined with other natural alternative pain remedies.

 Primary and Secondary Pain
 The evolution of the brain is incredible, but sometimes detrimental to our happiness. Response to pain essentially happens on two levels. There is the initial, primary response, such as the immediate reaction to placing your hand on a hot stove. You will pull your hand away before you have even processed the pain. This is a way the brain can respond to pain rapidly and keep you safe.
 Secondary pain is that long lasting, chronic pain. This is manufactured and draws on memories of suffering from the past. Mindful meditation can train your brain not amplify these feelings, essentially turning down suffering. Much pain is caused by stress and anxiety, both of which we know can be managed with mindfulness. This is because brain has a bias towards negative feelings. By closing your eyes, taking deep breaths and thinking positively, you can induce a relaxed state, causing your brain to believe there is no danger and no need to feel pain.
 Like any skill, mindfulness must be practiced regularly in order to have an effect. It can be all too easy to reach for a pill for quick relief. However, pain is almost entirely manufactured in the mind. If pain is intense and long lasting, you can naturally relieve it by becoming truly present and paying attention to sensations as they arise.