Saint Nectan's Kieve, Cornwall. Photo by Nell Garrett. Used with permission.

We sleep to allow our physical bodies to rest and renew our energy.

We meditate to allow our souls to rest and restore our spirit.

Oftentimes clients will tell me that they don't meditate because they just can't 'empty their minds.'  But I have been meditating regularly and successfully since I was a child and I don't think I ever once managed to empty my mind.  So I have come to the conclusion that people have the wrong idea about what meditation is.  The goal of meditation is not to empty oneself.  Certainly trying to 'think of nothing' is just setting yourself up for failure.  On the contrary, when you begin to meditate stop ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from entering your mind.  The moment you decide to be still, all sorts of thoughts will suddenly run at you.  Allow them to.  Shut nothing out.  Welcome them in.  And as they enter, observe them one at a time.  A thought walks in, perhaps even an inane thought such as 'I forgot to buy milk.'  Acknowledge it.  'Yes, I forgot to buy milk.'  Then just let it go.  Don't try to control it or stop it in any way, because keeping thoughts from occurring is next to impossible.  And don't try to bargain with a thought ('If I promise to buy milk Monday will you please leave me alone?'). Because a funny thing happens when you just allow them in without trying to control them (and also, without being freaked out by them).  The trick is to just observe them dispassionately, notice them come in, then watch them leave (and they will leave).  You can even thank them for stopping by. Eventually you will notice fewer and fewer thought distractions.  That's when you can turn your attention to something more important: your breath.  Focusing on the breath brings your energy back home...to your center...where it belongs.  It keeps you intact, prevents you from scattering your energies to the 4 winds, and deepens your focus.  That's when your meditation actually begins.

My General Meditations are available for a variety of helpful topics such as relaxation, healing, or love.  And they are all guided.  That is, I talk you through it, so you won't have to do any of the heavy lifting.  All you'll have to do is sit back, relax and listen.  Some find that they relax so completely that they fall asleep (or at least, they think they are asleep).  Believe me when I say: IT DOES NOT MATTER.  You may not remember a single word of the meditation but, trust me, you will still get all the benefits from it.  In any case, here's my disclaimer: DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY OF MY MEDITATIONS IN THE CAR OR WHILE USING ANY TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.  And make sure, before you begin meditating, that you will have at least a half hour of uninterrupted time.

4) GRATITUDE: giving thanks to whoever you'd like to acknowledge (spirit guides, ancestors, angels, the god and goddess, divine light, friends, family, pets, Santa, whoever) for providing help and guidance on your journey.  Bless the Light.  Bless your Life.

5) RETURNING: slowing coming back into the physical body, returning to full consciousness, feeling well, refreshed and awake.  Receiving a positive affirmation such as:     As you return to your body, you will remember all you accomplished and experienced in your mediation today and will begin to work happily and steadily towards your goals in your everyday life at whatever pace is most comfortable for you.