Craving Calm, Peace, and Balance?
Yes?
Then, you’ll find your sanctuary here!
Aaah and breathe ….
(Note – Updated blog (September 2024) since I oiginally attended William Bloom’s Meditation course)
Think You Know Meditation Already? Dive Deeper!
If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you’re curious to dive deeper into the transformative benefits of regular meditation.
Maybe you’ve picked up a soulful magazine, the kind that nurtures your mind, body and spirit or hit on an article online and discovered some of the amazing perks meditation offers.
Or perhaps you’ve explored meditation through YouTube videos or tried out a free app to learn more.
Wherever you are on your meditation journey, there’s always more to uncover ….
Meditation Is Your Superpower – Here’s Why You Need It
Knowing something’s good for you doesn’t always mean it’s easy to make it a habit. The gap between intention and action can often feel like a daunting leap.
Have you ever thought “Meditation sounds incredible – I really should give it a try” but found it difficult to make it a regular practice?
Picture transforming that mindset from “I should try meditation” to “Meditation is a non-negotiable part of my day.”
Meditation’s your superpower because it provides unparalleled benefits for your overall well-being.
Regular practice can:
- Enhance Your Health: Reduce stress, lower blood pressure and boost your immune system.
- Promote Emotional Balance: Improve mood regulation and increase emotional resilience.
- Foster Mental Clarity: Sharpen your focus, enhance memory and support cognitive function.
- Cultivate Inner Peace: Create a sense of calm and relaxation, helping you navigate daily challenges with ease.
By committing to a consistent meditation practice, you can unlock these profound benefits, leading to a healthier, happier, and more balanced life.
Meet William Bloom : A Master of Meditation & Spiritual Wellbeing
Let me introduce you to William Bloom, one of the UK’s foremost experts in spirituality, wellbeing and meditation.
He’s a global author, educator, and practitioner in metaphysics, spirituality, and wellbeing. He has been experiencing subtle dimensions and altered states of consciousness since childhood. His work empowers others to develop their own esoteric and spiritual skills and integrate them into everyday life.
His first career was as a novelist and editor in London publishing. His background also includes a 2-year off-grid retreat in the High Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco.
He is currently director of the Spiritual Companions Trust, which pioneered the first UK government approved course in spirituality and health.
And he’s previously served on the faculty of the Findhorn Foundation, Europe’s leading eco-spirituality center, and a trustee of Glastonbury Abbey.
You might enjoy an enlightening Glastonbury Abbey podcast here between William Bloom and Nic Phillips about Talking Spirituality : Meditative Practices.
Embodied and good-humoured, he rides a motorcycle, enjoys being quiet in nature and lives with his wife in Glastonbury.
He was on my “bucket list” to see and I was eager to soak up his deeper wisdom on meditation.
I had the privilege of attending his transformative workshop “How to Teach & Lead Meditation,” some time ago and it not only exceeded my expectations but also deepened my understanding of meditation in ways I never anticipated.
I took some notes and felt that the knowledge and techniques I gained were too valuable to keep to myself!
So I’m sharing a few highlights here of the workshop with you – in the hope to inspire your own journey into meditation.
I must admit, the experience at the workshop was enriched by the vibrant energy of fellow participants, all equally passionate about deepening their practice.
Beyond his immense knowledge and insights, William radiated warmth, humour, and genuine kindness.
‘Inner peace as easy as breathing. William Bloom has an encyclopaedic knowledge of meditation.’
~ The Independent ~
Why Make Meditation More Complicated Than It Needs to Be?
If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed how many books and workshops overcomplicate the simple practice of meditation.
Thankfully, William cut through the noise, distilling meditation into its essence with his trademark “gentle guidance” and clarity and he shared some, “seemingly simple but very effective” tips to get the most out of each practice of meditation.
First Get Moving : How A Dynamic Warm-Up Transformed Our Meditation Experience
After absorbing a wealth of knowledge about meditation while seated, our group were encouraged to become energized – to get on our feet and move – before even thinking about starting our meditation!
William shared the importance of us shaking off any lingering tension by engaging in a dynamic physical warm-up.
We began with circles for our ankles and knees, then progressed to figure-eights with our hips and upper body (yes, even our heads!).
The room filled with an infectious buzz of laughter and high energy.
The playful, dynamic movements not only helped us release stress and negativity but also created a lively, joyous atmosphere, setting the perfect tone for a deeper and more engaging meditation experience.
So don’t forget to embrace movement as a vital step before you start your meditation practice.
With our bodies relaxed and our minds primed, we returned to our seats, ready to explore the significance of Sub-Personalities in our meditation practice ….
Are You The Martyr, The Wife, The Mother, The Friend, The Listener, The Complainer, The Victim?
William asked us “ever notice how various roles or “Sub-Personalities” seem to invade your mind when you’re trying to meditate?”
These are some of the common ones:
- the martyr
- the wife
- the mother
- the friend
- the listener
- the complainer
- the victim
These Sub-Personalities can be incredibly distracting, and they often pop up just when you’re striving for mental calm.
The key is to acknowledge their presence without judgment, observe them as they come and go and gently guide your focus back to relaxation.
Embrace these distractions as part of the process, and you’ll find it easier to quiet your mind and deepen your meditation practice.
Unlock Your Meditation Zone : Harness Sound, Dance & Movement
William introduced us to some powerful “gateways” that can seamlessly guide you into a deeper state of meditation.
These transformative tools open doors to inner silence and help you transition effortlessly into your practice.
Here are some dynamic “gateways” you might like to explore:
- Sound Meditation: Immerse yourself in the soothing tones of singing bowls or calming soundscapes.
- Guided Relaxation: Let a gentle voice lead you into a state of calm and readiness.
- Dance Movements: Use fluid movements to shake off tension and prepare your body and mind.
- Personal Innovations: Feel free to add your own creative methods.
Incorporate these techniques before beginning your meditation and they’ll gently usher you into a tranquil and focused state, setting the stage for a more profound practice.
Are you still with me?
Great! – so far we’ve discussed:
- Why meditation is your superpower – it unlocks a reservoir of unparalleled benefits, transforming every aspect of your well-being from stress relief to profound inner peace.
- Who William Bloom is – one of the UK’s foremost experts in spirituality, wellbeing and meditation.
- How he strongly recommends we get up, move and loosen up our bodies before we start our meditation practice.
- Being aware of “Sub-Personalities” – how they often disrupt meditation by introducing distractions and mental clutter. Recognize these roles, observe your thoughts without judgment, and let them pass. This approach helps you maintain focus, achieve deeper relaxation, and enhance your meditation practice.
- The power of using “gateways” like sound, dance or movement to set the scene for a more profound practice.
Unlock More Life-Changing Benefits of a Powerful Meditation Practice
We discussed earlier in this blog post how profound introducing a regular meditation practice to your life can be.
Let’s discuss some more life-changing benefits of a meditation practice here ….
- Meditation is a simple, fast way to reduce stress.
- With regular practice, meditation can help you be at ease in your body.
- Meditation nurtures an “attitude of loving kindness and passion to yourself and others”.
- Meditation encourages you to be kind to yourself and increase your oxytocin – which triggers endorphins, reduces stress and opens up the flow of tissues for a healthy body.
- Your level of health, peace and happiness expands with meditation.
- Meditation has a profound knock-on effect to your emotional well-being as well.
- It’s integrative with your life, not separate. You can use it to plan your work, as well as calm your mind.
- And do be aware, that when the going gets tough – and you’re busy – that’s the time you need to meditate more – not less!
- It’s been said that “One good meditation is worth a year’s living”.
I hope I’ve distilled the essence of a few of the simple tips from William Bloom’s workshop here that you may not have already thought about incorporating into your meditation practice.
Want To Delve Deeper Into William Bloom’s Work?
I’ve shared just “a glimpse” into William Bloom’s wealth of knowledge and teachings here.
I’m sure you’ll be eager to explore more of his work!
I highly recommend his books to expand your knowledge: and his transformative work:
“The Endorphin Effect: A Breakthrough Strategy For Holistic Health & Spiritual Wellbeing”
and :
“The Power Of Modern Spirituality: How To Live A Life Of Compassion And Personal Fulfilment”
William Bloom’s Website
Have a browse around his website – click the link below to learn more :
https://williambloom.com/
Want To Stay In Touch?
I’d love for you to stay in touch with me here.
I’ll be sharing lots more helpful tips & hacks about all manner of holistic health & wellness.
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